Did anyone use a tens machine?

[PieandMash321]

I’m contemplating buying/hiring a tens machine to use in labour. I’m expecting our 3rd child in a couple of weeks. With our first 2 children I had quite long labours, just over 24 hours from painful contractions with the first and about 18 hours with the second. I did stay at home until I couldn’t handle it anymore so did about 12 hours at home with both. Knowing that I tend to take so long and I like to stay at home as long as possible (more than ever at the moment) it got me thinking should I consider a tens machine 🤔. I only really thought about it in passing with the other 2, but knowing how painful it is and how long I tend to take I’m wondering if it’s worth a try?

Did anyone use a tens machine? Did it actually help? Anyone any good recommendations on specific machines that worked for them?

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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!

I used one... not sure how much it helped in terms of pain relief because I only turned it up to 4/10 (fast labour... was saving up the rest for later on and then delivered). The sense of having something to control was really helpful though. Other friends have sworn by them and declined other things like pools in favour of continuing with Tens.

Absolutely brilliant. Loaned a mama tens from Tesco, but this is going back a bit now. Still progressed through all the other pain management, but the tens was great for over a day.

Yes, it was really good. Just had that and G&A. I think they work for some people and not others but you can always take it off, which is a good thing about it, you're not committed. You do have to start it early, for it to work.

Yes, twice, highly recommended!

Yes it was the only pain relief I had. With my eldest I didn’t really like it felt like constant electric shocks so I took it off. Didn’t have time to use it for my second but used it all the way through with my youngest, was good for the afterpains too.

Loved mine. The effect is cumulative though, so when I had to turn it off so they could put a monitor on me I was climbing the walls and when I put it back on had to start again from low.

Omg my tens machine was a godsend. That and a heatpack got me through labour. I had a 48 hour back to back labour and the pain was all in my back, so the tens was ideal. I did use gas and air but wasn't really breathing it in properly. Didn't need any other pain relief. Cannot tell you what a difference it made! Even if it doesn't work for you there's no harm in trying, it's drug free and no side effects. Count tell you what model mine was, given it by a friend otherwise I probably would have missed out.
Btw 24 hours is not especially long for a first baby, I believe 20 is the average. This time round could be a lot quicker

I was quite surprised at how effective it was in the early stages. Will definitely be using one again for managing contractions at home.

Yep, had TENS with my first two, borrowed a different one and couldn’t get it to work with my third so had nothing (no pain relief all 3 times) and the last one was a LOT more painful! I didn’t think the TENS made a huge difference at the time but in hindsight (and with the benefit of not having used it once!) it definitely did, especially in the early stages of labour. Although it really annoyed me while I was pushing the second time but I was too far down the birth rabbit hole to get it off - you might a bit more communicative than me though

I hired one for my first and bought one for my second (no other pain relief). I’m still using it for back pain 26 years later and I take it away with me on every holiday. I think I am addicted to it!
I have leant mine to lots of people over the years and no one seems to get on with it like I do so I would advise hiring one first.

I used one...it was amazing. Didn't use it for my first birth and it was loooong one ending in 2x epidurals , cutting and forceps. Used it for my second 2 and it helped me so much...had no pain relief but that for my second and only a bit of gas and air at the end with my third. I would highly recommend using one! As one poster says...useful for other pain relief too!

I used it for a very long labour on my first and it was great. I was induced twice and it was so slow the tens was great.

Yep loved mine! I bought one from Argos I think it was about £30. Can easily buy replacement pads for it too. I used it for my labour and I’ve since loaned it to my sister and 2 friends and if I have another I will use it again

Had one and thought it was great for the forty odd hours I was in early labour at home. Lent it to a friend who thought it was crap and smashed it in a labour rage 😂😂 not ideal as they’re expensive but I think when you’re in labour you get a free pass to do what you like!

I used one, it was amazing. Laboured at home until 2 hours before I delivered. He was back to back.

I used one with my 3rd DC, I loved it. Use it from very early on in labour and don't take it off. I made that mistake as I didn't think it was doing anything. It was! I rented mine from the chemist but DD is now 13 so don't know if you can still do that.

Yes - with both of mine and I loved it.

I used one for my third - I'm not sure it did anything in terms of the actual pain in reality, but psychologically, it was a distraction and I "thought" it must be helping so got me through if that makes sense.

Thanks for the replies, no one has said it was completely useless, I think I might give it a go... even if it just distracts me a bit it’s worth a go! I had g+a in hospital and then when I got to the point of wanting to die (🤣🤣) I had diamorphine, which works pretty well in that you feel like you’ve done 20 shots all at one and totally lose touch with reality, but it does make your baby very sleeping for the first 24 hours. I’m going to try and do it without this time.

I’ve seen one in boots I can buy for £50 or I can hire one for £30 on Amazon, I might just buy one and have done with it, I have a dodgy back too so it might help that when it goes too.

Don't know brand but birth center strapped one to me when I arrived - back to back labour so was really good. In fact they forget to take it off me when I was in stirrups and prepared for forceps so it was still going as they were pulling DS out. Worked really well, even as a diateactionm

@Mummyof2Terrors my first child was back to back, she came came out looking up (just as they decided I needed forceps to drag her out!), would have probably been useful with her seeing as the pain was in my back and not my front! I’m going to get one and give it a go anyway.

I was dubious about them so didn't get one. I then had a really long back labour so my lovely mum ran out to get me one from Boots and it was utterly amazing. It did take away some of the pain and also provided a distraction.

I ended up having pethadine as I was exhausted but could still tell my husband when to turn it up and down.

When I had my DS, I put it on as soon as contractions started and it helped again. He wasn't a back to back labour though so I would say it was slightly less effective but still definitely worth using.

I haven’t used one in my two previous labours but I’m going to give it a go this time to hopefully allow me to stay at home as long as possible. I’ve brought the £50 Elle from Boots purely due to the reviews saying it got many women through most of the labour without even realising it was so effective. I’m hoping it will help with the afterpains and coccyx damage I’ve had with my previous births too just incase the same happens this time. I’m 13 days until due date so hoping I get to test it out shortly