TENS machine for SPD relief and labour?

[kurlyvoice]

Looking for some of the ol Mumsnet wisdom!

I'm 32 weeks and suffering from horrible SPD. Have gone through two community physios and finally got a referral to the hospital ones in 10 days time. I'm also seeing an osteopath and trying to follow all the classic advice, but nothing is helping. I also have a 22 month old DS. I got signed off from teaching at the end of last term but want to go back and do my two weeks handover if I can, but am currently in too much pain to see it happening.

The physio who referred me up to hospital said that they would try me with a TENS machine. Given that the appointment is still ages away I thought I'd just buy one, but can't find anything suitable for use now and during labour...

Help?!

I don't know much about TENS machines, I would have thought a TENS machine was a TENS machine, so not sure if there's any difference? I tried one in the past for back pain pre-pregnancy and didn't get on with it at all, but I have some nerve damage so that's possibly why.

Anyway, the point of my post is that you can hire them from various places to give it a go instead of just buying one. I think a lot of Boots chemist shops hire them out, and even my local Tesco has them to hire out from their pharmacy.

Might be worth trying to see if it helps before actually buying?

HIya, If I may offer you some advice; Don't sit or bounce on one of the birthing balls during labour.
I had most severe SPD and this made me worse, I didn't realise it at the time, but any more movement in that already unstable area is going to make it more inflamed. However, I did use a tens machine - but it was on my lower back- the buzzing that came off it did actually help me with my contractions :)
I'm sure I bought mine from the local chemist and you can try it on low from late pregnancy :) Thinking of you xx

Sorry you are having such a bad time of it.

I hired one from this local co who specialise in hiring TENS for childbirth. They'll post it too. www.babycaretens.com/acatalog/TENS_Machines.html

I have to say it was no good for me in labour. I did gesture to the midwife it was in my bag, but she looked at me white and shaking with the pain and said "I think you need something stronger than a TENS machine".

Sorry hopefully somebody with a positive SPD pain management story will be along shortly.

Thanks for your responses. I'll look into the hiring costs, but they seemed to be about £25 for 5 weeks which is a bit steep. My DH inflated my birthing ball and it got sat on for one evening and not again - very uncomfortable!

Any other experience of using TENS effectively for SPD management at 32 weeks?

My Physio (specialist women's one if that makes a difference) said they don't advise TENS for SPD now. It can make it worse.

In my last pg I used to lay over the ball but this time the only position that helps is laying down so ball is no good :(

Thanks, ood, that's really interesting! I find that lying on my side is the most comfortable position but can't exactly do that all day - I've got two weeks of work left. But will cease the TENS research until my appointment.

That's what I do. I was signed of work at 25 weeks so have spent most of the time at home laying down.