Tens machine advice

[H0709]

Hi,
I'm looking to buy a tens machine for labour at about £20-£40, but I'm struggling to decide which one! Is there a difference between a normal machine and a 'maternity' one? Has anyone got any recommendations please?

Thanks!

I've just bought the elle tens.... not used it yet but my understanding is that maternity ones have 4 pads and often others only have 4, and the maternity pads are bigger. I bought because my OH has a bad shoulder from a car crash a few years ago and thought he could use it on that afterwards.

I used the Boots maternity tens machine which was £40. Was glad I had it, the maternity one has a boost button which gave my parter something to do during contractions. While I was using my gas and air I would shout "tens on!" And then "tens off!" at him. If nothing else it certainly gave us something else to focus on!

I believe the maternity ones have the boost function and standard ones don't. I found the boost really helpful for contractions. I can't tell what make mine was because I borrowed from a friend (used new pads) so can't check.

Yes, the maternity ones have a 'boost' button for when a contraction hits, made a huge difference for me in early labour.

I have hired one from mothercare, was £27.50.

I used the Boots maternity tens machine as well. I calculated hiring one cost nearly the same as buying one and it can be used for period, back or other pains.

As PPs mentioned they have larger pads than normal ones and a boost button.

I found if I looked at the monitor I could co-ordinate the boost to kick in when the contractions got painful. I ended up giving birth using the TENS machine, and gas and air. (The offer of an epidural came to late.)

I used the Elle tens machine. Think it was £50 but this was 2 years ago so might be wrong. I used it while labouring at home and on way to hospital. Only then stopped because I had a water birth. As others have said the boost function is a must. I will be using it again with #2 due in July.

Thank you so much for everyone's suggestions and advice, it's been really helpful. I think I'm going to look to get the one from boots.

I had a boots one - YOU NEED THE BOOST BUTTON :)

I cannot stress enough how much you need the boost button

I just kept shouting “BOOST”!

I hired one online but i didn't really like it when I came to use it! So I was glad if only hired it because it only got used for about ten minutes!

I used the Elle tens in both my labours, it was great. You definitely need to use it as soon as you start with regular contractions so you benefit from it properly! This one also had the boost 👍🏻

I used the Boots one in labour, I found pressing the boost button gave me something to focus on! Gave birth without anything else! And when they finally prised it out of my hands when I was getting ready to push they informed me the pads weren’t actually even attached to my back any more and I’d just been pressing the boost button for no reason Still it totally got me through labour. Best of luck :)