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Childbirth

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

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Original poster

Who has NOT used a TENS machine for labour?

87 replies

Takenoprisoners · 06/05/2008 13:08

Hi - I'm 32 weeks with my second pregnancy, and the first time, I hired a TENS, on the grounds that it would probably be helpful and safe, non-medicalised pain relief. They seem to be so ubiquitous and a standard, first port of call when in labour.

However, I didn't find it helpful at all really - just vaguely annoying & am wondering if it is a good idea to go through hooking myself up to electrical currents again. The thought of that is starting to bother me. But then again, if I don't hire one, will I end up regretting it ...? Argghh, such decisions!

Has anyone thought similar, and won't be using one for labour, or for a first labour has decided it's definitely not for you? I'd love to know what you think.

OP posts:

MrsBadger · 06/05/2008 13:09

I meant to get one, but dd was a week early. I seemed to cope okay without...

Haylstones · 06/05/2008 13:09

I was exactly the same and didn't even try one with my 2nd

TuttiFrutti · 06/05/2008 13:28

I used one for my first birth and it was useless. I thought exactly the same as you, it was just annoying to have one more thing to think about, and it didn't relieve my pain at all.

If I was going to have a natural birth again (I won't - had elective cs for second) I wouldn't bother with a TENS.

serenity · 06/05/2008 13:32

I had one for my first labour, and just like you found it annoying and distracting. I took it off and swore at it alot iirc! I didn't bother with my subsequent two labours and never regretted it. I think it's one of those things that either works for you or not.

Original poster

Takenoprisoners · 06/05/2008 13:34

Thanks everyone - I guess I'm one of those for whom it does nothing. (I am now bothered by the electrical currents thing, though and thinking ... why on earth did I do that???)

OP posts:

oliviaelanasmum · 06/05/2008 13:35

I have had 3 labours and have never even tried one, i only go to hospital when i feel i have no choice and can cope no longer. As soon as i arrive i go straight onto entinox!

castille · 06/05/2008 13:35

They aren't on offer during labour in France, where I live, so I didn't use one.

I coped fine all 3 times without (or any other pain relief come to that - here it's a full-on epidural or nothing at all!)

belgo · 06/05/2008 13:38

I didn't use one for either labour. Because I've previously used a similar electronic back massager and I found it ticklish and annoying, and I suspect a TENS might be similar.

Also because I wanted to use water as pain relief (not that it did relieve the pain)

cupsoftea · 06/05/2008 13:39

never used one

funnypeculiar · 06/05/2008 13:41

Never bothered.
Don't feel I've missed out on anything

nailpolish · 06/05/2008 13:42

i never used one in either labour

i just thought i wasnt a patient enough person to

fiodyl · 06/05/2008 13:58

I never used one. The thought of electrocuting myself (as well as being in labour0 didnt realy interest me.

Pidge · 06/05/2008 14:11

used one first time round - overrated if you ask me and didn't bother with it second time round.

lilyloo · 06/05/2008 14:13

had 3 labours never used one !

Original poster

Takenoprisoners · 06/05/2008 14:17

Yes, Belgo - I'd had some electrical-current physiotherapy for my back years and years ago - and remember it made me feel worse!

Yes, Pidge, it is overrated.

I am having none of it.

Thank you!

OP posts:

belgo · 06/05/2008 14:18

yes the massager was also during a physio session. I remember it tickled in a painful way. It put me off the idea of a tens.

mrsgboring · 06/05/2008 14:21

Used one once, didn't do much except run down the batteries. So I didn't bother second time round.

TheDuchessOfNorksBride · 06/05/2008 14:37

I don't bother with pain relief. It just seems like a lot of faffing about when all I want to do is wander about and rock my hips.

GooseyLoosey · 06/05/2008 14:39

Me - no one told me that they existed for either pregnancy so I proceeded in blissful ignorance. I have heard from others that they did not find them all that useful either.

Pidge · 06/05/2008 14:47

I'd love to know has anyone actually used one and thought - that's great and used it in subsequent labours!

Leo35 · 06/05/2008 16:15

hi,

I used one in labour. One of the pads became detached, and it re-set itself to zero while midwife reattached it. And boy did I know it!!! Never pressed a button on a gadget faster to get those TENS things working!!! So I guess that it was working all along. Didn't find it a faff either, and I am not a person who goes for gadgety things.

Again, I had/have heard mixed results from friends and online. But wanted to add a positive experience to all the ones that don't like it!! HTH

Leo35 · 06/05/2008 16:16

Oh sorry - realised that you weren't asking for positive responses at all. Apologies. Will delete my message - once I find out how and have stopped my toddler from destroying the garden....

Beetroot · 06/05/2008 16:16

I didn't

didn't want to go down the road of thinking I couldn't cope

managed without anything

ChippyMinton · 06/05/2008 16:19

Never tried it, entonox & a birthing ball worked for me.

bigknickersbigknockers · 06/05/2008 16:27

I hired one from Boots when I was pg with DS1 but it never even got taken out of my bag. Just managed with entonox. Didnt bother with one for DS2 and DD

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