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Childbirth

Share experiences and get support around labour, birth and recovery.

Original poster

Tens machine is it worth it?

28 replies

Xyzzzzz · 26/06/2019 21:37

Currently 33 works and thinking about my birth plan. I’ll be induced before 40 weeks due to gestational diabetes.

Have researched and like the idea of a tens machine but wanted some real life experiences? Did you buy or rent the machine?

Did it work for you? Most people I’ve spoken to have only used gas and air!

MNHQ Update
This is an old thread, but if you've landed here while on the hunt for similar recommendations, our guide to the best TENS machine has been recently updated. It includes a wide range of options – including devices you can hire as well as purchase – and has been compiled based on the recommendations of Mumsnetters as well as maternity experts. We hope it's helpful! Flowers

OP posts:
BelulahBlanca · 26/06/2019 21:38

Did not help me at all but I think I left it too late.

TerribleTwosPhase · 26/06/2019 21:39

I rented one from my midwife. I used it in early Labour in the house. I didnt particularly find it useful but thought it was worth trying.

ICanWearMyBoobsUpOrDown · 26/06/2019 21:40

I tried using the tens machine with my first, I absolutely hated it, it didn't work and made me really uncomfortable as well as not helping the pain at all.

I know it works for loads of people but it really wasn't for me.

LoisLittsLover · 26/06/2019 21:40

I borrowed one from the hospital and it was great esp as i was back to back. Helped me stay home til 7cm. It didn't exactly take the pain away but gave me something to focus on . I put it on at 4cm when i was already struggling but think they are most effective the earlier you start. I will be using 1 again

coffeeaddiction · 26/06/2019 21:43

I forgot to rent one but I used one when I was at hospital and it was fantastic ! I was happy and smiling til 8cm !
Totally recommend getting one for when your waiting at home , some people don't find it does much but for me it was amazing

Fivefootoffun · 26/06/2019 21:46

Didn’t find it remotely helpful. Had fairly bad back ache during labour and it just didn’t help at all.

hairhair · 26/06/2019 21:48

I used mine for two labours and found it helpful when at home. A distraction if nothing else. Mine was only £30 on Amazon. You have to start using it early for it to be most effective.

Bedforaweek · 26/06/2019 21:49

Loved mine. Saved me from having an epidural. People say to try it before you go into labour to see if you like it but I think you don’t know if you will like it until you have contractions. You can’t imagine how you will feel then.
Best £30 spent in a long time

RobinsNest17 · 26/06/2019 21:52

I borrowed my sister's one. She had previously used it for two births of her own and had loaned it to multiple friends. All of them raved about it. I, however, hated it. It stung and annoyed me and I think I only kept it on for about 5 minutes!

KJayne · 26/06/2019 21:53

Loved mine, wouldnt go wthout it the next time i give birth. Defo recommend!!

museumum · 26/06/2019 21:53

I rented one. Best £30 I ever spent! Allowed me to stay home till 8cm.

soundsystem · 26/06/2019 21:54

I used one in both labours. I went to a demo at the maternity unit but then I found the same one on eBay to buy for the same price as hiring so did that. As a PP said, it was a good distraction and gave me something to fiddle with! I didn't have any other pain relief

Hoviscats · 26/06/2019 21:57

Loved mine. Used it for both births, second was also an induction due to GD. Managed with just the tens and a bit of gas and air both times. Best tip is to whack it on as soon as you feel the first contraction!! Good luck!

icanthelpyou · 26/06/2019 21:57

Used for the first, didn't consider for the second so guess not too helpful for me

Teddyreddy · 26/06/2019 22:01

I loved mine for early stage labour. I bought it 2nd hand off Ebay for the same price it would have been to rent one, so should be able to resell it for what I paid for it - so it doesn't cost any more than postage amd ebay fees to try one.

If you are being induced I'd seriously consider getting one as if you are in hospital and on the antenatal ward for early stage labour there's not much else you can do so it's probably worth a go. If you end up on the hormone drip after that you'll have lots of monitors strapped to you - TENS will probably just get in the way at that point.

BalloonDinosaur · 26/06/2019 22:22

I bought a second hand one from FB for £20, I found it helped a lot while I was in early labour at home. Took the edge off the contractions.

If you do get one, make sure you have a spare set of pads as mine came off and got dirty before we got to hospital and wouldn't re-stick

Original poster
Xyzzzzz · 27/06/2019 16:51

Lots of mixed reviews but thank you. I am leaning towards getting one. I’ll ask to see if the hospital can provide one if not I’ll rent one. Thanks everyone

OP posts:
CmdrCressidaDuck · 27/06/2019 16:53

I've used it in both my labours and found it great. Rented it the first time, had to buy it last minute second time and sold it on. I did 7 hours on the syntocin drip with only TENS for my second birth.

Itscoldouthere · 27/06/2019 16:54

Oh yes, brilliant for me.

CmdrCressidaDuck · 27/06/2019 16:55

My top tip is that the ones made specifically for labour are probably easiest as they have a Boost button to hit during the contractions. You have to up the intensity manually during a contraction with the ones designed for back pain etc but they work the same.

When DH stuck it to my back and turned it on in labour #2 I thought a magic soothing hand had been put on my back.

Furble · 27/06/2019 16:57

Get one!
I managed to have a successful VBAC a few weeks ago thanks to the TENS I hired. Put it on early on in labour and make sure you test it out beforehand. I found the TENS helped me get into a rhythm and routine that I used to cope with each contraction. When I got to hospital I added G+A to my little routine and before I knew it baby was here! Don’t be afraid to whack up the level when you feel it’s not taking the edge off anymore. Good luck OP it’s a small investment to find out if it’ll help you.

PlinkPlink · 27/06/2019 17:01

Mine was bloody useless 😂

It was alright during first stages I guess. Helped with back pain. But active labour? My contractions were strong from the very start and DS arrived in 6 hours - the TENS did nothing for me then 😂

hammeringinmyhead · 27/06/2019 19:59

Yes! I had a very quick labour and it's all I had the option of in the end because of course the midwives said I couldn't possibly be nearly fully dilated after 2hrs of contractions. I had a few puffs of gas and air, put the tens down and then pushed with no pain relief.

toomanyflatwhites · 27/06/2019 20:14

It was bloody amazing!! First labour I had epidural and sure I would have the same this time, but instead a combination of the tens machine and leaning over a birth ball got me through contractions immediately 2 minutes apart - had diamorphine after 2 hours of that and while labour was 4 hours with just the jab and the tens machine. I hit the boost button every time I had a contraction and it was a good distraction, sent a clear message to DP and the MW that it was starting, and it worked right until I was crowning when I screamed "WHY ISN'T IT WORKING ANYMORE!!" When of course it was working just fine 🤣

Original poster
Xyzzzzz · 28/06/2019 12:46

Great thanks everyone! I think I’ll be getting one!

OP posts: