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Pregnancy

Talk about every stage of pregnancy, from early symptoms to preparing for birth.

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Original poster

Tens Machine

15 replies

lucylev · 15/09/2010 12:56

Hello,

Am thinking of hiring a Tens Machine, had a antenatal class yday and the midwife said how effective they were during early labour and I'm now thinking of giving it ago

Anyone used, how did you find it??

Thankyou

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Scaltini · 15/09/2010 13:12

Good question! I am wondering about this too...

benandoli · 15/09/2010 13:20

I have used one in all three of my labours. I would reccommend for early labour. Its a weird one really not really sure if they work or not but it gives you something to focus on and sort of gets you used to the contractions.

YummyMummy1208 · 15/09/2010 13:27

Definately i would recommend getting one.

Would not have gotten through the labour (up to pushing ofcourse!) so smiley and happy without mine!

Like benandoli said, it gives you something else to think about- its such a strong buzzing feeling in your back it kind of takes the pain away from the front if you get me!

Go buy one now i say! Got mine both times off ebay, have yet to use the second one - 6 weeks to go, but im sure itl be just as effective as the first!

ThatDamnDog · 15/09/2010 13:28

Mine's sitting smiling at me on the desk here - I'll report back in a couple of weeks

FetchezLaVache · 15/09/2010 13:31

I used one, but the hospital lent it to me- could you check to see if yours has some available? I found it useful in the early stages too.

FindingMyMojo · 15/09/2010 15:19

I used one - but not sure how effective it was as I have nothing to compare it too. I had over 30 hours of contractions, and was very slow to dilate and used tens until I got into the pool. It was good to have something to focus on & I recall pushing the buttons and zooming the levels up & down lots.

I think I would use it again next time.

MouseCostume · 15/09/2010 15:28

I agree with other posts, it was a useful distraction early on in labour.

I'm going to try it again this time round, last time I was worried about turning it too far up too soon iyswim, but i was pretty arsey and took it off as later on it was distracting me too much!, with hind sight, I should've stuck with it longer I think!

I think it helps to have something to put your faith in!

I got mine for about a fiver from e bay.
x

MoonUnitAlpha · 15/09/2010 15:32

I'm not sure if it really worked or not either. I had awful back pains during labour though including between contractions and I did find the sensation on my back quite soothing. I never got above the second level though!

Original poster

lucylev · 15/09/2010 15:34

fab thanks for all your replies, planning to use whilist at home until I get in the pool at the hospital if all goes to plan, Will order tomorrow as I don't think My local hospital lend out- you can hire from www.mama-tens.info for £30 for 6 weeks which I thought was reasonable

just over 4 weeks till due date :)

OP posts:

MoonUnitAlpha · 15/09/2010 15:52

I bought one (a Boots maternity TENS) from ebay for about a tenner - there are quite a few going on there often for less than hiring one.

slimyak · 16/09/2010 10:14

Moon that's a good tip, a tenner is certainly less than I paid to hire one last time.

Like others I used one but have nothing to compare it to, but I did manage an 8 hour back to back labour with nothing more than TENS and G&A and that was by choice rather than being a martyr.

The trick is to use it from the first twinge of labour pains and don't take it off, unless of course you're getting in a birthing pool- gives you something to focus on if nothing else - you get a button to press!

lilmissmummy · 16/09/2010 10:39

I found with dc1 I hated it and I got annoyed with it and didnt feel it worked. With dc2 I only used a tens machine and found it very beneficial. I know it worked as I took it off to get in the bath and had to put it straight back on again!

I think it depends on the pregnancy but definitely using one with dc3!

sweetuphoria · 16/09/2010 20:10

Does anyone know if there are any specific brand of TENS machine that are better than others, as just been looking on ebay and they seem to vary in price and just don't want to get a cheap one if it's not going to be as effective?

MouseCostume · 16/09/2010 20:45

I went for a Boots one, just because it was the only brand name I recognised. It's fine!

MummyAbroad · 19/09/2010 00:47

I used a boots one and delivered my 9 pound son with no other pain relief!

I totally recommend it. I used breathing for early labour, then a bath, then the tens. I kept it on for about an hour after the birth. (everyone was too distracted to remember to take it off!)

The only downside was that I was too "confused" (your brain goes to mush) to work out how to use it, so I handed it over to my husband and just shouted "buttons!" to him at every contraction. Its essential to practice using it before birth and with your birth partner present.

I hired it from Boots and they were great about letting me keep it for extra time for fee as I went over my due date.

good luck! xx

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