TENS machine experiences?

[bedjolly]

Now that I'm coming closer to birth I've been looking at pain relief during labour incase I should want to use it. I've heard about TENS machines and apparently they can be quite good. Can anyone give any advice such as the pros and cons they had with their experiences and would they use one again?

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MNHQ Update
This is a very 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. Based on the tried and tested recommendations of Mumsnetters, the page includes a wide range of options including machines for hire. We hope it's helpful!

Didn't use with my first but really really helped with my labour with dc2. When they took it off to put the epidural in I was in agony and had been coping well with it on until then. If I did have any more dc I would use a tens again. It just seemed to scramble the pain signal a bit and make it a manageable sensation. Not good for a water birth but otherwise worth a go for sure as it could make a big difference in early labour for you.

Thanks for sharing it's good to hear that you had such a positive experience I might have to give it a go!

Hired one from Amazon. Had a week-long failed induction before section and it worked well for the early stages.

I found it worked really well for the early stages. Tested it when it arrived and I could hardly stand it on the lowest setting. When I was in labour I had it on full blast and it took the edge off for a while.

I tried one. It’s a good distraction from the pain. Would recommend, but would get a cheap or second hand one if you have a choice.

I didn't use one in childbirth but I do use one every month for horrific period pain as I have endometriosis and it is a life saver. My endo pains can be as strong as my labour pains were so I have a good comparison.

You can hire them, but mine cost £30 ish on Amazon and has 2 channels and 4 pads. What I will say is learn how to use it now because some of them come with a lot of options for pulses/waves etc. Plus mine has dials and I am upgrading to one with buttons purely because it is easier to just press a button once to increase the tapping or whatever setting you have it on.

I have mine on for over 24 hours sometimes. It is a bit marmite, some people love it others want to throw it out the window but until you are in labour you won't know how you feel about it

All a long time ago but I have three children, first eventually born by caesarean section as breech, second and third vaginal delivery. I used a TENS machine each time and after the c section as pain relief. I didn't use anything else with numbers two and three (no gas and air, etc.) as not needed. A bonus was the babies were born so alert and responsive.

I have kept my TENS and used it over the years for other problems (e.g. torn knee ligaments after skiing accident). It may not work for everyone but I wouldn't be without mine.

Unfortunately I was one of the few people where it increased the sensations of pain rather than reduced them, which rather put paid to my labour plans for a while, until I discovered the joys of Entonox.

I thought I probably wouldn't use it when I bought but I did (as I couldn't even withstand using it even at the lowest level) and I really recommend it (used it for the early stages of labour). DH couldn't get over me using it at the highest level and thought he would need more batteries so remember spare batteries if you get one .

I used mine in the early stages. I was induced and DH couldn't be there due to COVID, I found it to be a good distraction and gave me something to concentrate on during contractions.
Definitely remember lots of batteries though!

Thank you for sharing your experiences. I'm going to go ahead and use one. Thanks for reminding me to take spare batteries I would have never have thought to.

I bought mine from Boots, it was about the same price as it would have cost to hire.

I got one second hand off eBay and just bought new pads

It was great in the beginnings of labour to take the edge off

Would definitely use again

Whether it's pain relief or a distraction I'm not sure

I used one only for my first child 22 years ago. I found it very useful in early labour but useless beyond that. They may have improved in that time though. I didn't use one for my second child 9 years ago as labour was much more manageable.

I bought new and tried it in labour for a few bad hours but it didn't help in the slightest. I'd heard great reviews from friends but it didn't help the pain at all no matter what setting. I could sell you it!!!

I highly recommend. I was advised that you're supposed to put it on during early labour because it makes your body produce endorphins which combat the pain and they build up in your body (someone feel free to correct me if that's not quite right! I'm no scientist)
I used it all through pushing and delivering the placenta and coordinated pressing the boost button at the start of contractions with taking a breath of gas and air which was a good thing to focus on for me. I had hoped for a water birth and it didn't happen for other reasons but tbh I think I'd have been reluctant to take the tens machine off to get into the water anyway!

I was hopeful, but it didn't touch the sides in terms of pain relief. I found the buzzing infuriating!

I had mine in for about 45 seconds during labour after which I screamed "get it fu*cking off me" and did without. Gas and air and birthing pool
Sufficed. BUT I'd read a lot of great things about them so I think I maybe left it a bit late to put it on or it just wasn't for me

I found it helpful in my two labours, I also used it for back pain later.

You need to put the machine on early, though.

I used mine in early labour with DS but ended up with an emcs.
DD was supposed to be a planned section and I only chucked the tens machine in the bag as a just in case. Thank god i did, she came early, I had a VBAC and had the tens machine on until the pushing phase. It did help with the pain and gave me something else to think about
Ive a boots one, do take spare batteries and pads but I didnt use any of the spares. I would have been very cross if I had needed them and not had them though.