TENS Machines - worth it or not???

[Chelle1986]

Thinking of investing in one for what will be my first labour in September - so as it says on the tin - worth it or not?

Some will say yes, some no, you won't know if it will help you until the time comes. And I would want every single pain relief option available to me, so I would hire one if I were you.

Had them for first three DC - quite good for the pre-hospital bit of labour, but once in hospital, G&A meant that I couldn't feel the TENS at all. For DC4, I decided I'd rather spend the money on something fun.

I highly recommend a TENS machine. My advice to you would be to get it on te minute you feel pain. I was induced and put it on as soon as I felt a niggle. It stayed on right to the end. It doesnt take away the pain - it is more of a distraction from the pain and I felt that it really helped me throughout the whole labour process. Its not that expensive so I'd invest in one - you can hire or buy. I hired mine.

I recommend buying one, not hiring, they don't cost much more and are good for all kinds of things post natally like back pain, migraines and even for putting on CS scars to help healing

make sure its an obstetrics one, the ones sold for pain don't have the same settings

In labour I only found it good in the very beginning when it was just period pain-ey, at which point I could have managed without it TBH, once the contractions got severe the tens added to the discomfort

I found the TENS brilliant during early labour and I kept it on until my baby was born. I really found that it helped. Loved the gas and air too - marvellous stuff.

I hired one from Boots and I thought it £30 very well spent

It worked too well for me - I ended up arriving at hospital when I was fully dilated cos I kept waiting for when the pain would get worse.

If you don't want to spend too much ebay is definitely a good option as you may probably get one cheaper than hiring it.

I was a complete skeptic and convinced it was a placebo. My mum hired me one on the quiet and got me to try it as " a distraction" and it worked - you can't focus on the pain when the buzz happens, at least in the early parts of labour. I'd def. hire one, in case you are lucky and it's helpful.

I had one for both my labours. Hired for my first one and I bought one for my second! I think it was
brill if not just for sheer fact of control! Sounds silly to say but I felt like it helped me be in control. It also gave dh something to do during labour as it was his job to turn it up and down at contractions!

First labour was 9cm dialated when arrived at hosp fir first took 6hrs and second labour was 2hr never had internal so dont know how far gone for that one!

Buy or hire on or borrow one. Get one definately I say.

My hospital loans them out so may be worth checking this option. Very good for the stay at home part!

I loved mine for my first labour. I agree you need to start using it as soon as you feel even period type cramps in early labour (starting on low obviously). It helped me through the first 6 or 7 cm of dilation I would say then I turned to the gas and air. I asked DH to turn it up at this point because I couldn't feel it anymore and it was on high!

I hired mine on the internet I think.

It didn't work for my second labour as the pain came on too suddenly and stongly. But I was only in labour for 2 hours so I didn't mind that time

I just used mamatens for dc3 homebirth last week. it was way too complicated and I abandoned it eventually. i was having really frequent contractions and could have done with the old style one where there was just one setting and a boost button. This one had levels A1 A2 B1 B2 C1 C2 all with another setting from 1 to about 15.

However I had a lovely homebirth we never got the entonox out and a 5 min 2nd stage (felt like 5 hours). 2 hours later I was asleep in my own bed.