Tens Machine...worth it?

[sugarlo321]

Hi ladies,

I'm currently 34 weeks pregnant and I'm beginning to focus on labour & birth (eek) I'm thinking of hiring a tens machine from boots, however I'm just not 100% sure if they're worth it? I know all labours are different, however can anyone give me some info on if it worked for them? Also is there a specific one that's best to get?

Thanks in advance :) x

I hired the Boots TENS machine when I had DD. I thought it was wonderful for the first stages. I had a long long labour and I think used only the TENS for the first 10 hours or so, then with G&A until I needed a bit more. Deffo took the edge off, although I know the sensation is not for everyone.
I will be hiring one again this time too as it helped me.

It really helped me too both labours. First induced and second homebirth. Second time it got me to fully dilated! They do seem v variable in terms of whether people like them or not... But if you do, you will consider it money very well spent. You can pick ones up from nearly new kids sales and local mums Facebook groups near me very cheap...that might be worth a try?

Hi both - thanks for your replies.
It's really good to hear positive things about the TENS machines.
I don't really like the idea of heavy pain relief, so I was hoping to use the tens machine & gas and air.

Scoobsmam13 - when did you order the boots one & did it take long to come? I've found one through Argos it's £25.99 for 4 weeks + a 2 week extension is baby is stubborn :p

www.argos.co.uk/static/Product/partNumber/3995909.htm?CMPID=GS001&_$ja=cgid:12415122510|tsid:41361|cid:166591470|lid:47687722110|nw:g|crid:33458541630|rnd:17818333753688972752|dvc:c|adp:1o3

I imagine it is an odd sensation, but hey anything to take your mind off the contractions right? :p

sisterofcaleb - wow I can't believe it got you to fully dilated, that's very impressive. Which one did you use was it a particular brand? May have to have a look on facebook & see if I can track one down local.

Thanks for your help :) x

I hired a Boots one the first time then bought one from Lloyds Pharmacy (own brand) second time as was on sale and very reasonable, as much as hiring one, I think.

While I was using it I didn't think it was doing anything but when I turned it off in disdain, I realised it was really good and I had to be prised from it to get into the birthing pool!

I bought a one from boots , think it was around £40 , it was great. Used while pregnant for back pain then through birth. Used them for all 3 births along with gas and air.

This one

I'm 39 weeks and have ordered the MamaTENS my time from Boots. We ordered it when I was just 37 weeks and it arrived in about 3 days. Can't comment on whether it'll work well yet but did a test with it and I didn't find the sensation too bad, I quite liked it. I know some people said to me they didn't like the feeling of it.

It definitely helped! Make sure you get one with a booster button, and that you have batteries for it. I borrowed one but I'd buy one off ebay next time.

I bought an obitens too, it was about £40 from amazon. My friend and I bought it between us as our babies were due 3 months apart. I've used it for both dd's and it's been borrowed by a few people in between.

They do provide good pain relief, especially in the early stages, and they also give you something to fiddle with which is a helpful distraction.

If you do choose to buy one, check out the price of the replacement pads before you decide on a brand.

I was very surprised at how effective it was.

Basically, the sensation in your back (it's a buzzy feeling) competes with the contraction. In early labour it cancelled the pain out entirely. As things progressed... not so much, but it still helped a lot.

I tried one and it was uselss for me. it is quite personal I think.

I used one for DD and found it excellent. I don't know if it's just the distraction but I got to 8cm with it. I was scared to take it off to go into the pool! The pool was just lovely though.

I've got mine ready for DC2...due in 6 days. Make sure you have extra pads and batteries. We had to change batteries as the first set ran out of power.

Ahh so many helpful replies - thanks so much ladies! I was really 50/50 with the idea, but from your experiences it sounds like it's really helpful!

I wouldn't have even thought about replacement batteries duh!! I was also looking at the MamaTENS my time, i'm glad it came quickly, I was worried it may take a while to arrive.

So good to hear that the majority of you got quite far with just the tens machine too! I dread the pain but really don't want to have anything like an epidural eek!!

Good luck stargirl1701 & Heatherbell1978 on your arrivals!!!

I rented mine from Boots and didn't last a couple of contractions with it. I found it distracting, in a bad way.

I liked having mine. i bought it 2nd hand on eBay (MamaTens) and gort new pads with it. It was cheaper than hiring, I think and I figured that if I had a 2nd baby (currently pg) I could use it again.

Put it on pretty early though. I started labour at 2am, had a bath at 7am and put it on at 8am. DD was born at 8pm. The TENS was on until 4pm.

Tbh chuffin annoying! My mw suggested it in early stages when I was induced I was annoyed with it after an hour

Best advice I got was to get one of eBay, the rental price is about the same as second hand price. And then you have it for future dcs or you can resell and get your money back.

Yy to spare batteries!!

I got a second hand one, it was invaluable (get spare pads and battery , just in case)

I found it very helpful. Had it on for three days! Also bought my second hand on ebay but bought new pads. Cheaper than hiring. Now I just have to find where I put before my second comes along!

sugarlo321 you're ordering the same one as me and it came with batteries in it and a new set in the pack too so you may not need anymore. Plus the pads are brand new. I think there was something in the pack asking not to use any other batteries in it but I'm not sure.

Thanks Ohhelpohnoitsa - like you say if it works then happy days, and if not you've lost about £40 quid...not exactly the end of the world.

Random question....my blood pressure has shot up over the last few weeks to around 140/90 so having to be checked on more often.....does a Tens machine interfere with this? I have hosp app tomorrow so will ask there but just wanted to know if anyone has had this?

Heatherbell1978 - that's great! I didn't realise you got extra batteries, even better!

If you get one from ebay do you have to buy new pads for it?

Thanks :)