Who has NOT used a TENS machine for labour?

[Takenoprisoners]

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.

never bothered with it for labour

they are using something similar atm on my arse for physio, its well weird but it works

Didn't use one first time; did second time and it definitely took the edge off (I was 9cm by the time I got to hospital, and was astonished to find I'd got that far). Should there be a third time I'd definitely use it again.

But if it doesn't work for you, it doesn't work for you.

Thanks for all comments (including your positive, Leo35!). That's interesting that it took the edge off for you, PortAndLemon - I'm hoping for a quicker labour this time around (26 hours first time) and so I expect the pain will be that much more sudden. But, am reading a Lamaze book atm which advocates the only time in pregnancy when a stiff drink (at the onset of labour) is positively recommended - now that's something I think I might go for! I'll cross my fingers and add a mix of entonox too and hope for the best.

I thought it was great. I was induced and had a very fast and painful labour, and was grateful for any help I could get. Definitely getting one this time round, but know others who found them useless. It was the G&A I didn't like.

It didn't do anything for me, but I have heard it's quite hard to get the pads in exactly the right places (or maybe that's because I was trying to get them on at 2 in the morning, and am not terribly technically minded at the best of times...). I had G&A and that was great

Used for first. I became irritated by the tickly feeling it gave, remember stating I was getting irritated and pondered (aloud) whether it was doing anything anyway. MW said very clearly that judging by how well I was doing, it definitely was doing something. So, in preparation of birth no. 2, was terrified of going into labour without a TENS. However, early arrival of dd meant just that and... it was fine. I gave birth without anything at all - not ideal, I admit, but with the quick (1.5 hours) labour I had, I don't think TENS would have been my relief of choice anyway.

Having said that, what's the harm?

I'm the same. I didn't use a TENS with my first labour. It was about the only pain relief I didn't have as DD1 was back to back and the established labour was 32 hours.

I decided to give TENS a go with DD2 but tbh I think it distracted me too much. DD2 was back to back and the established labour was 16 hours long. I remember very clearly at one point trying to switch on my G&A mouthpiece and inhale my TENS machine . I think if I had ingonred the TENS, I would have used my G&A more effectively. As well as that the pads would not stick on after several hours use - I started to use it early on as advised by my MW.

DS1 is due any day and I have decided to go without a TENS this time (funds are limited so I'm going to be brave). tbh I don't think I;m going to miss it that much. I'll try to remember to come back and let you know how I got on.

Marjean - your post was very reassuring

Hmnn ... seems quite a few of us didn't miss it 2nd time around.

Marjean, that's my worry: "what's the harm?" - apart from it being an irritation, it's an electrical current at the end of the day ...

BigBadMouse - all good luck with the birth any day now - fingers crossed for you and please let me know how you get on, if you can!

In a thread asking about negative experiences of TENS you are likely to get quite a few... well... negative experiences of TENS .

Even as a bit of a fan, I'd never try to use it at the same time as G&A. When the G&A goes on I turn the TENS off -- as BBM says, would be almost impossible to do both without getting distracted.

i couldn't get one, was in labour for 48 hours, didn't take anything until 29 hours when i took 2 paracetamol, that was brill, - like heroin I imagine, when i finally got to the gas and air that was nirvana, so go without for as long as you can.

I didn't use one either time because it looked like too much of a faff for me.

I didn't have any pain relief either time, and my second was an induction, I just hung off the sink in the delivery room swearing.

I used one for first labour 11 years ago. Blardy useless. Still felt all the pain, but also had an irritating buzz to deal with too. Had an epidural that time as I recall. Marvellously effective.

With 2nd, one year ago, I didn't even remember you could still get em. Had just gas and air. That wasn't much good either, if you ask me. Would have been much better to have a bottle of Chardonnay.

Strangely, I used one with my second labour and loved it - it really helped. I used it again for my third labour and I just found it very irritating.

Get one.

I used mine at home and found the pain totally bearable. Went to hospital thinking I might be sent home for going in too early and was 8cm dilated. I can't believe I got to 8cm with just the TENS

I didn't with DS1, and suffered for it.
With DS2 I found early labour far more comfortable.
I'd get one.

I agree that its a faff, annoying, and I got a few nasty shocks when I accidentally knocked up the settings while flailing about. In fact I eventually ripped it off going "get that f***g thing off me".

BUT, I would still consider it again because while I didn't find it to be effective at pain relief, it did engage my mind and give me something that I could fiddle with throughout a short sharp labour that the midwives dismissed as prostin pains/pre-labour (I was only believed when the membranes were poking out after a looong trip to the toilet )!

It was the thing that got me through my labour!

I thought it was really good, but think it was more to do with concentrating on when to turn it on/off with each contraction that helped! Only took the edge off the pain, but I hated G&A so used it instead. Don't think it's possible to do both at the same time anyhow! I had a shortish labour and by the time the MW had worked out how to apply it second time around, it was too late.( If you're thinking about using birthing pool it has to come off before you get in there- just as an after thought)
Good Luck

I used one during both my labours (last one just two weeks ago!). It was very helpful both times until the pain got so bad that I needed to get in the pool/have gas and air.

I hired one both times, but the machine I hired last time - the Elle TENS I think - was MUCH better than the one I rented from my Lloyds pharmacy the first time around.

I should add my first labour was 8 hrs and my second only 4, and both were ultimately pretty easy.

Can't stand 'em!
Tried one a couple of labours ago and I couldn't tear it off my back quick enough, it was so annoying to me.

Managed better with nothing at all, though birthing ball and g&a last time was brilliant.

I did think about it both times but in the end I couldn't be bothered. Used a bit of G&A each time. This time I definitely won't. I think it would annoy me.

Never used one

Assumed it was going to be eff-all use, faffy and yet another thing to take to hospital, shell-out hard-earned on. Didn't fancy being wired up to anything. Got by okay with nothing followed by G&A until EMCS. Oh well.

Still don't think a TENS would have saved the day.

Am in US and not an option here.

used one first time round and found it annoying and had a bad (ish) labour. Didn;t bother 2nd time and had a fantastic labour... not sure if it was ALL down to the lack of a TENS machine though

Don't bother, follow your instincts and good luck