Tens machine - are they worth it?

[bubbles519]

Has anyone used one and would you recommend it?

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MNHQ Update
This is an old thread, but if you've landed here while on the hunt for similar recommendations, our guide to the best TENS machine has been recently updated. It includes a wide range of options – including devices you can hire as well as purchase – and has been compiled based on the recommendations of Mumsnetters as well as maternity experts. We hope it's helpful!

Yes defo recommend it. You can hire them rather than buy

@iano great thanks. Do you know where you can hire them from please?

A million times yes. Survived off the tens machine for the first 75 hours of my overly long labour.

Renting is about half the price of buying, if I remember rightly.

You used to be able to rent them through the boots website. No doubt google may have other suggestions.

Yes def. I didn't think it was until I had to take it off and oof the intensity of the contractions increases.

Also don't let your other half put it on you and ramp it up saying what does this do then! 😀

I think Boots hire them out. Or try your local FB group. If you post asking to borrow one someone might reply. I was given one by a friend and I passed it on like that.
Don't try it when you don't have contractions!!! 🤣

I hired one and it didn't work - must have gone faulty. It was very painful.

Yes, a thousand times yes!!

Another yes from me! I used mine with my daughter and will be using it again this time round,deffo recommend.

Yes I would definitely recommend!!! I got mine from boots, I think it was only £49ish xx

Yes absolutely, same as previous PP, didn’t think was doing anything untiI I took it off, only used on 1st labour (long), didn’t have time to use on 2nd!

@Moresandwiches same experience here. I felt like it’s was electric shocking me, very uncomfortable and about as bad as the contractions! I gave up on it. However, I think we might have put it on wrong. If I rented one again, I’d pay for extra pads and do a trial run in advance to ensure we knew how to place it properly before labour.

Yes absolutely. Did the majority of my labour with just a tens machine (up to 8cm dilated). Got my for £30 online.

Yes, really get your endorphins going.

Yes I got to around 7cm with just a TENS machine and will use this time again. I bought the boots brand one (£40 I think) and found it good. My DH used it for a back injury too and got great relief from it.

I bought mine for £30 at boots I think. Nice to try. Didn't help. Probably cause i was induced and the contractions got nasty almost immediately. It's best for early stages of labour I've heard. I may try it again for the next delivery to get my money's worth lol

Would definitely recommend for the early stages of labour at least, I hadn't considered it beforehand but ended up using one at the hospital and it really helped take the edge of the contractions.