TENS Machine - any good?

[DesperatelySeekingDistraction]

Due in six weeks with DD2. Didn't use a TENS machine when in labour with DD1 as wasn't organised enough to hire / buy one. Thinking of getting one for this time round but wondering if its worth it and if so which one to hire.

Over to you, MN jury...

I had a Boots one.

Obviously I don't know what labour would have been like without one. Used it til 7cm and after that went without as I just couldn't bear to have stuff attached to me anymore.
I would say it did help because I forgot to ramp it up a few times when a contraction hit and those ones where def more painful than the ones when I didn't forget.

That said, when the midwife in hospital took the pads off my back, she said DH had stuck them on in the wrong place so I have no idea how much it would have helped in the right place. I suspect even more.

I loved mine. Hired it from hi bebe. Will be doing so again!

I agree, if nothing else it's something to focus on and that helps. I got mine from
Boots though and the contraction booster thingy was broke so I was not happy!!

Have two friends that used them and swore by them. Got through with Tens and some gas and air. Not me. My DH stuck the pads on my back, in his wisdom decided it was probably all a bit of bollox, ramped it up to full, then boost, then sent me half way across the room. I threatened to attach them to his testicles if he touched the button again. Tried it for about 2/3 hrs but couldn't even stand the lowest setting after that, just found it really uncomfy. Bath helped a lot though. Quite scary how quickly contractions sped up once out of it so be prepared.

Worked for me.

I loved it. Well kept me going for 24 hours without any other pain relief in early labour. Does get sore on the old kidneys when you have it on for ages and start having drugs. Think tens is good for keeping u at home for a bit longer and helps u focus on something. U will need other pain relief for active labour tho!

Loved mine during labour with DS1.

I don't think mine helped at all. I could feel the weird tingles, but don't think they actually reduced pain.

I think it helped a bit with dd1, didn't use with dd2.

Said this on another thread the other day - for me I could not contemplate labour without a TENS. Used no other pain relief with both of my babies.

BUT you need to be aware that TENS machines do NOT take the pain away, they just add another sensation that acts as an effective (for many women) distraction. If you expect it to take pain away you will be disappointed, as some on here have already commented.

However I am proof that TENS combined with other techniques (read JuJu Sundin's 'Birth Skills') can get you right through without drugs.

Hired mine from Boots but as DC3 is due in Oct it would have been more economical to buy one!

I was thinking about hiring a tens machine from boots but didn't know whether or not to buy one. Just been having a look on amazon and they start at quite reasonable prices, much about the same as the hire fee. However there are so many different brands. Can anyone make any recommendations please?

Yes yes brilliant, for pain relief as well as for something to focus on

Thanks everyone, have ordered the JuJu Sundin book and looking into TENS machine hire options. Had a traumatic labour and birth with DD1 after what had been a promising start, so feel the need to be prepared better for this one as I'll be confronting unpleasant memories at the same time as trying to give birth.

Any other book recommendations or TENS machine recommendations very welcome.

Had a TENS too. Bloody brilliant. But then both times, I felt my contractions in my back. The time I took it off to try a birthing pool with DS1, I managed about 30 minutes, before getting back out the water, drying off and then the relief of putting the TENS back on. Immense. Hated the water, loved the TENS.

But then, everyone is different. I know some who said it made no difference.