using TENS - what are your experiences?

[HelenaCC]

Hi
Just started thinking about hiring a TENS machine, this is my first child. Ive got no idea what to expect but am not big on the idea of being over medicalised. Im defnitely wanting to avoid an epidural but willing to start on G&A, and have not ruled out diamporphine / pethidine as a last resort. Also got the hypno birthing CDs to try. Would be interested to hear other people's thoughts/recommendations on TENS?

As you can tell Im taking the attitude that every little helps when it comes to pain relief!

I loved my TENS machine. I used it from when the contractions became regular up until I got into the birthing pool at 8cm - I will definitely use it again next time around. It was a good distraction and gave me something to focus on during each contraction.

I did hypnobirthing as well and that really helped with the breathing during contractions.

Good luck and congratulations

p.s. I bought my TENS machine on ebay - cost about the same as hiring one and have lent it out to two friends so far and will use it if and when DC2 comes along. Just a thought...

TENS worked as a great distraction for me until I got admitted to hospital (about 20 hours). I then switched to G&A for about 30 mins before the realisation that nothing was going to be more satisfactory than an epidural!

I would suggest being very open to all types of pain relief. Hypno birthing is a lovely idea and works for some but friends who have resorted to pain relief have then felt disappointed with their birth experience. If you have no expectations, then you can only be delighted when you hold your newborn baby in your arms!

Good luck

I used one for both of my ds's and did find them useful.

DS1 - I was induced. Used TENS as soon as the niggles started and until I got into the bath. Spent the rest of the labour in the bath until I was at 9cms, then delivered him with gas and air. He was 8lbs 12 oz.

DS2 - used TENS as soon as the niggles started and only took it off once he had been delivered. No other pain relief. He was 7lbs 11 oz.

It does definitely work in the early stages, and if nothing else as the contractions become more intense, it provides a distraction!

I would certainly recommend having one and would advise getting it on early.

TENS worked really well for me for DS1 I didn't use anything else.
I used it again for DD2 but didn't use it for long as she was in a different position and it wasn't really helping.

Good Luck

I loved TENS. It works best if you put it on as soon as any niggles start.

For dd I used nothing but TENS.

I had a tens - but hardly used it. My labour was a bit odd - got sent home at midnight not even 1cm dilated (told it would be 2-48 hours left), baby was delivered in different hospital 6.5 hours later ! I kept on running baths and getting in and out of them so the tens was useless as I ha to take it off to get in the bath and it becomes more effective the longer it is on.

I found labour pain pretty manageable - ended up taking 3 paracetamol and that was it

I had TENS only with DD1. Worked a treat although I did have to go to the very highest setting at the end. But it's different for everyone, I know people who say it didn't do anything for them. Worth a try in any case. Good luck!

PS Hello Bicnod

I found it very very annoying but didn't have any build up to my labour, contractions started at 2mins apart and DD was born an hour later. So there was no chance for things to build up. i do remember threatening to attach it to DH's testicles if he didn't get it off instantly.

I found it deff worked, but would have been better if I'd worked out how to use it before we HAD to IYSWIM.

DD was 12 days early in my defence, but I could have let dp have a bit more sleep beforehand, if I hadn't been trying to work it in the dark after a two second instruction briefing and getting it very wrong!

So TENS till got to hospital at 6-7cm, and then water birth with G&A. Manageable.

Oh, then of course I needed an epidural anyway because I tore quite badly!

Loved mine so much I didnt get in the pool as couldnt bear to take it off. I bought one from mothercare.

Used it with my first and did like it - it helped take the edge off the pain and pressing the button helped me feel in control. Did not like the fact it was in the way when I weed and I needed to take it off for a shower - needed a practice run of contractions without it.
Didn't have one with the second for those reasons and just general disorganisation. Still had a very good labour but feel as though maybe I didn't cope as well as I did with the first. Not sure if I'd have one again, not that there'll be a next time but ykwim

I bought a TENS as I'd always planned to have 2 DC, so thought cost worth it (and have lent it to a friend for her labour too). With DS I had an assisted birth after my labour fizzled out, was on the drip, so contractions v strong - although at one point my hand slipped on TENS machine dial and that REALLY made me jump!! Wouldn't say that it masked the pain, but probably distracted me and made it more manageable - along with the G&A (which I hated). Managed to get by without other drugs, as I was afraid of feeling sick so wanted to avoid morphine. Only issue was that the TENS didn't touch the pains I got round the front of my pelvis, you can't use them there - but hospital provided heat packs which helped. I was flat on my back though, due to monitoring/cord being compressed during contractions, which wouldn't have helped...

I got a Femme TENS, not sure from where but just googled and found this.

I found TENS effective in early stages for DC1 - worked okay for a 2 day pre-labour at home post waters breaking, gave me something to focus on. But I was eventually induced and decided I needed an epidural some hours in as there was no end in sight.

For DC2, did hypnobirthing CDs alongside TENS, worked fine - went to hospital when was getting towards max on the dial, added in some g&a and that was enough.

Off track but the CDs def helped too - practising looooong breathing out and relaxing through contractions with shoulders down. Good luck!

thanks for all the responses, it helps to hear it first hand - TENS sounds like something Id want to try and thinking of buying one now. I thought the femme tens looked a little complicated, but based on some of this feedback it seems it is better to have one where you can control and vary the current to each pad.

make doubly sure it's off before you get your DH/DP to remove it - I thought I had but DH got the shock of his life, literally - it was still on full but I couldn't feel a thing
Congratulations on the pregnancy, and good luck for the birth.

Loved the TENS, used it in both labours, with my second i managed with just that, no other pain relief, got to 8cms then unfortunately had to have em cs as babys head was poorly positioned and babs was in distress. I hired my TENS from hospital, so no cost to me.

Echo what others have said really. I loved the TENS. With DS I used it until I went up to labour ward, then used g&a and later they gave me pethadine (which I did not like as it made me really drowsy and the end of my labour, including the birth of my son is ever so slightly blurry). With DD I used the tens again up until labour ward, then had an epidural due to Emergency c section.

I too would recommend getting it off ebay. I actually got more back for it when I sold it after I had my dcs !

Got one off Ebay.
Worked a treat on backache in late pregnancy. Do check the batteries and get extras! For some reason rechargeables didn't work as slightly too small so splashed out on Duracells.

Used it while heading to hospital throught roadworks and on level 4-5 it helped a lot, along with hypno-breathing. G+A and a pool was much better though!
Used it hours later on the max setting while waiting for epidural (which I needed for SPD, not for the labour which was fine!)

I used my tens with all three dc. It was absolutely fab, but as Reallytired says it works best if you get it on early, when we are still "niggling" (if that is not a word sorry, but I think you will know what I mean)

Used tens and g&a with ds and dd1 born in hospital, used only tens with dd2 born at home, and she was 9 1/2 lbs! I bought mine from Boots for a back problem long before I had children it wasn't that expensive, I don't know how much they cost to hire.
Good Luck.

I used a TENS machine (hired from boots). Didn't use anything else, home birth, and my ds arrived after about only 2 hours. I thank the horrible raspberry leaf tea for that.

Midwife said 'lets take that off now' when she arrived and I told her there was no way I was taking it off! At least I'm sure that's how I meant to phrase it...

I used a TENS machine and it was great up until transition when it really stopped being much use for me as my contractions went into overdrive and I switched to gas and air. I also used the NCT natal hypnotherapy CDs. Again these were very useful until transition at which point imagining my pain as a dial and turning it down was really no longer working for me...

Both definitely worth a go.

Louplet
x

I didn't get a chance to try one with my first for various reasons but have been given one for my second (I'm 40+2). This thread is great for me

I had the pads on for a while the other day (I live alone and got someone to put them on in case my twinges got worse) and they feel pretty sticky, but I'm contemplating getting a second set just in case.

Can I just buy the basic boots ones if they have them in stock or does anyone know if you need to get the right ones for the brand?

I have hired mine from bumps to birth www.bumps2birth.co.uk/TENS_machines_HIRE.htm as you get three free DVDs to hire about breast feeding, birth and a post birth exercise one, free massage oil, free batteries and free skin prep solution. I haven't dared try it out yet, thogh - it says you can test it on your arm....

I hired a TENS machine from Boots and found it very good up to a point.
I was induced and put on a drip to speed things up. Contractions then went from being bearable to intollerable very quickly. I then took puffs of G&A in conjuction with using the TENS machine, but I became quite panicky trying to concentrate on breathing the G&A, and pressing the 'boost' button on the TENS machine at the same time. I kept getting the timing wrong, and being irritated by the tingling sensation.
I remember telling DP to 'take that bloody TENS machine off', and him saying 'No, you're doing really well', and me getting all in a flap and insisting he took it off or I'd throw it out the window.

I think, had I not been on a drip, I would have been able to use the TENS machine on its own successfully for a while longer, before opting for G&A.

It was definitely helpful in early labour. I spent many hours wandering round the hospital corridors with my TENS machine for company