TENS machine yay or nay?

[MissPollyHadADolly19]

After a terrible first birth which was far from the ideal labour I wanted, I am looking into a TENS machine this time round.
Would anyone with experience be able to shed some light on the pros and cons of using one and if it would be something you'd recommend?

The longer the labour the better people find them. The second time around I put it on too late and found it no help at all. First labour with long buildup - very very helpful

I had a rough first time labour, induced, instrumental birth, prolonged - every drug going(including eventually an epidural).

Second labour, bigger baby, had severe spd/PGP throughout pregnancy, used a tens machine and whilst my waters broke at 5.30 am, I stayed mobile and active until 3.30 when I went in to maternity unit and then gave birth 4 hours later with only a small dose of pethidine. I would highly recommend a tens machine.

Oh and have just read previous posters weren't able to wear one whilst on a trace. Both my labours needed a trace on baby as heart rates were struggling and dropping. It didn't affect use of tens, only thing I could'nt have was a water birth (had originally planned to move from tens to water towards the end of labour).

Mine was brilliant. I had it on for my very quick induction and it got me to 10cm. 3 puffs of gas and air and then I was pushing.

Both times it was a godsend right up until the point I just wanted to rip it off and throw it across the room (which I did). I think it mostly distracts and is good in early labour

Glad to read about all these positive experiences. Think I'm going to try one this time - dreading the thought of that time labouring at home before they'll let you come in 😖

1001‰ recommend it. Works well as a distraction from the pain of anything. Works best during early labour. Worth it.

What is it and where do you get them? I'm guessing hospitals don't mind if you have one?

Hi Ladies,
I wish you all the best of luck with everything from labour to raising an amazing little human! I hate to be a pain but I'm headed to uni to study midwifery next year and I'm currently writing my dissertation. I would be so so grateful if you could find 10 minutes in your manic schedules to fill out a short questionnaire about your childbirth (linked below). It really helps. Thank you so much ladies, and once again, good luck!!!
Lauren x
docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSctZPhTBYsC6hJYBepXwems3r_mrIJQ2pCqw27za7pa0X8SzA/viewform?vc=0&c=0&w=1

Are you sure it’s a dissertation? That’s usually done during the 3rd year of a uni course, not in year 12.

What is it and where do you get them? I'm guessing hospitals don't mind if you have one?

Read the thread.

And try google.

@AdalindMeisner your 1st labour sounds very similar to my first, apart from I wasn't induced - it was horrendous and I ended up having forceps with a spinal block.
Also have PGP this time round (plus bigger baby according to MWs) and have been almost bedbound since around 33weeks so not been as active as I'd of liked. I'm glad it worked well for you and your experience has definitely given me some optimism for this time round so thank you for sharing!

Even as just a distraction, anything to take my mind away from the pain sounds great. I dread the labouring at home part before being able to go to the hospital so I'm looking forward to having something I can use before going as well as once I get there.