Tens - buy? Hire? Where from?

[Stefka]

I was thinking of getting one - if I do what is the best way to go about it? I know you can hire them from various places and also buy them. This is my first baby and I plan to have more which made me think maybe I should just buy one. Then again I might hate the thing! Any recommendations?

I bought one but only because I had pregnant friends to lend it to (I'm not planning any more). Personally, it did nothing for me but two of my friends swore by it. I think it works for some people but not others. If you are planning to have more than one, I would suggest buying I think. You can always sell it on ebay and it would probably only end up costing you what it would to hire one. I got mine from Mothercare - the cheapest one they do.

I'd just hire one - have done so twice and still not sure of the effect or if its useful - have ripped it off both times and not noticed! I hired from boots, but you can get them online too

I've seen many women use them in labour and very few seemed to found them of great benefit.

Maybe the ones sho did use them successfully just weren't where I worked.

Maybe part of the problems with use are because the pads have been incorrectly positioned, labour is too advanced, or patients pain threshold in some ladies was low!

Others swear they were great, all you can do is try it, read the instructions very carefully and start to use it early.

You could try Freecycle, someone may have one they no longer require.

Stefka, Mamatens hire and sell TENS machines.

If you decide to get one from them I'd be very grateful if you would contact me first. There are many providers so make sure that you get one designed for Obstetric use.

Hello, jut to let you know that Lloyds Pharmacy's are selling Solpadeine Tens machines for £9.99, or thy were in the one local to me about 2 weeks ago! Are all Tens machines the same and you would be able to use them during pregnancy / labour?hth, Tiggly.

Tiggly, I doubt a £9.99 TENS would be suitable for Ostetric use.... if you can check it out and let us know, we'd be very grateful!! Biggest significant clue would be a Boost button as well as having "for Obstetric use" in the blurb.

sorry!

I already checked the lloyds one as I had seen an add on TV. It has a notice on the back that says it is not suitable for use during pregnancy/labour.

Thank you for the links

I hired mine from The New Road Clinic - it worked well for me.

Same - New Road Clinic. Hired it online - really nice helpful people and cheap! Would def swear by it and plan to hire one next time - whenever that might be!