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Pregnancy

to tens or not to tens

30 replies

cawood77 · 02/12/2010 16:58

Hi
As my due date fast approaches, I was just wondering if anyone had experience of using the Tens machine and if it was worth the money (either hiring or buying).
part of me thinks I will wont be wanting to have the pads stuck to me when I get further into labour - what do you think????

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Snowfalls108 · 03/12/2010 11:56

I loved my TENS machine - it was brilliant. I found that it gave me a sense of control over the whole thing as I could press the buttons etc. It felt like a big cat licking your back - which sounds odd, but actually is a good sensation.
I second the taping it down.

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Wigeon · 03/12/2010 18:26

CrazyChristmasLady - I used my TENS right til the end of my labour, even in the really really painful bits. I'm sure it helped. I think I was at my limit of what I could tolerate without needing drugs etc and there was no way I was going to take it off.

Even if you are planning a water birth, you might find it useful in the early stages. I was in two minds about going into the water (to the extent that the midwives had run the pool ready for me to go in), but the idea of taking off the TENS was inconceivable so I never got in the pool.

Or you might find it annoying and that it doesn't work (like a friend of mine). There's no guarantees, unfortunately! But if your aim, as you say above, is to avoid an epidural / intervention, it's definitely a good option to have, amongst a range of other pain-relief options (eg water, vocalisation, good positioning etc etc etc) at your disposal, and you can use whichever you find most effective when the time comes.

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BongoWinslow · 03/12/2010 18:34

loved mine. got to 8.5cm (back labour) with just tens.

buy spare pads.

put it on with the wires running upwards and feed up to the neck hole of your top and then out and over shoulder so they don't get in the way.

put it on very early and give it a chance to work

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cawood77 · 04/12/2010 08:18

Thank you for all your messages - I am going to get one this weekend and practice with it
Ta again

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FeelingHip · 04/12/2010 08:23

I've just ordered one too. What kind of tape do you use to stick the pads down? I've ordered some TENS skin preparation stuff that is supposed to make the pads stick better, do I still need the tape?