tens: MamaTens or ElleTens? Or another?

[ZombiePlanB]

I'd like the one with the most pain relief but all the websites seem a bit coy about the acutal POWER offered. I want to turn it up to 11!

Does anyone know which is strongest or have anny reommendations?

Hoping for VBAC, and will be aiming for hypno birth in a birthing pool. Fingers and toes crossed! That's what I wanted last time but ended up with ECS (though it was fine due to the hypnobirthing).

I used the Elle Tens and got to 8 or 9 cms dilated with just that - I found it too much (when not having contractions) to turn it up to more than 5 or 6 on the scale.

Haven't tried any others though, but I think would think they were all much of a muchness (?).

As I'm sure you know they can't be used in a birthing pool though, and this is the reason I ended up not using a birthing pool. I was attached to my Tens by that point to an almost superstitious degree. I was reluctant to take it off even when I had the gas and air available.

I have this TENs machine and it was brilliant:

www.naturesgate-uk.com/tens-machines.php?id=14&prod=logistim-tn-11-digital-tens -unit

I hadn't realised just how much it was helping until I had to briefly take it off to have some checks done and felt the difference, I'll be using it again this time around.

It is quite pricey but you can get them for less on ebay.

thank you for the replies. LittlePeopleCo, the link didn't work, which one was it?

Any other recommendations?

I think the Elletens looks good, I am very reassured you got to 8/9 cms with only that, sounds great. I want it to get me to hospital then I can get in the water pool there (hopefully).

Sorry, try this www.naturesgate-uk.com/tens-machines.php?id=14&prod=logistim-tn-11-digital-tens-unit

I should have said that I went for this one as, compared to the others it seemed to have the highest maximum amplitude of the electrical current that it sends out. Apparently, this is the key thing, making some more 'powerful' than others.

Its maximum current amplitude is 130mA, the ElleTens is only 110mA and I'm not sure about the MamaTens, they don't seem to list it on its info. Like you said, I wanted to be able to turn it up to 11!!

LittlePeopleCo; thanks for that - am checking them out.

What is also important to remember is to put it on early to maximise the endorphins and to place it correctly. I was told bra-line and knicker-line, ie just below shoulder blades and the small of the back.

I have known some people for whom it did nothing but not sure what their expectations were etc. I wouldn't have been without mine.

On recommendation from our midwife I got one from Lloyds pharmacy. Output intensity is 70mA which seems in line with most TENS machines and from what I can gather, the frequency and pulse width are more important in terms of tricking your body into releasing more endorphines and pain gate blocking than the amplitude. Also mA will change with the impedance of the pads and the age of the battery.

It was about half the price of others available on the market which, as research is limited as to the effectiveness of TENS, I was happier spending (i.e. it's not guaranteed to work for everyone but it's a bit better than a 50/50 shot it will help to a degree). The midwife said the best thing about TENS was that it gave you something else to focus on in labour. She also said to get it on as early as possible for it to have a chance to build up to work (average is 20-30mins for it to start to be effective for 75% of people who said it was helpful). And don't start with the amplitude too high, too soon, so that you've got somewhere to go as the discomfort builds

I've just come back from Sainsbury's and picked up a rental package from their pharmacy for a Mamatens machine for 6 weeks for just over £7. Just thought you might like to know!

thanks bsmirched. I've used mamatens before and that's cheap!

thanks bsmirched - a friend has now offered to lend me a elletens so I am dead chuffed.

Thanks all

and shipsladyg for your informative post.