Third baby, TENS machine question.

[Fakebook]

I've used a tens machine with my two previous labours, but I'm not sure how much it's helped me through labour.

I always feel a weird stinging/smacking sensation where the patches are stuck on. Is this how it's supposed to feel? I've never really questioned it before because after having the baby I forget, but this time I don't know if I want to waste £60 to hire a machine that doesn't help me and I just use for the hell of it.

All I remember from previous labours is that when I turned the machine on high during contractions the stinging pain got worse which made me concentrate on that until the contraction pain kind of melted away.

TIA

Sorry meant to ask, how did a tens machine help you and would you use it or not?

Also expecting dc3 shortly!
I too found a slight stinging question. However, the time I did take the tens off, to get in birth pool, I realised what a great job the tens was doing. The contractions felt so much stronger and in my back, like a steel rod being hit across my back. Needless to say, I was out within 20 mins, dried off and put the tens back on in relief.
But, I think I feel contractions in my back, so the tens really helped me. I know more of others who felt their tens did nothing for their labours.

That's interesting sheep, because my first labour was like the one you described, steel rod in my back and I think tens helped until I had my epidural even though it still stung. With the second it was all around my stomach going up and I felt I was using the tens to just concentrate on the stinging sensation. I'm not sure if that's how it's supposed to help!

£60 to hire?!

You can buy one outright for £30: www.amazon.co.uk/gp/aw/d/B000QG79DO/ref=mp_s_a_1_3?qid=1375303437&sr=8-3&pi=AC_SX110_SY190

Sorry, non-clicky link - try this: www.amazon.co.uk/gp/aw/d/B000QG79DO/ref=mp_s_a_1_3?qid=1375303437&sr=8-3&pi=AC_SX110_SY190

I'm an idiot! I spent £50 the first time in 2007 and £60 in 2012.