TENS machine in pregnancy

[Kellog88]

Hi all I'm freaking out a bit(as I do)I'm 18weeks pregnant. Been suffering with awful lower back pain, I literally cant walk! Seen a physio who used a TENS machine on me and it helped. He advised to get one for myself but that's when the panic has set in as I seem to keep reading that theyre not for use until 37+ weeks pregnant. I've looked online as to whether the use of TENS is safe before then and find conflicting info as per. Now I'm scared I've harmed baby or going to cause miscarriage:( please help, I'm hoping for reassurance, has anyone else used TENS in pregnancy itself, not labour and all been ok? Thanks x

You should not use a TENS maching when pregnant under any circumstances. You know the machine sends electric shocks into your body right?

The problem is just like most of these "novelty" devices, no one is willing to pay the millions needed for a medical trial, so there isn't enough research. For the sake of your little one don't bother. Even if you put it on the lowest setting, there isn't any way of knowing how it affects your baby.

I have no idea what specialist you went to, but the moment he found out you were pregnant, he should have NOT used it. Acupuncture might be better?

There are other devices you can get that might be able to massage you, or get your other half to do it.

Thank you. Although I'm panicking more now as it was used for 30mins :(

I know it’s hard, but try not to worry as you can’t change it now. I’m sure everything will be fine - like a lot of these things, I think they just don’t have enough data to say for sure either way whether it could do any harm or is safe. But going forward, be on the safe side.

Most of us have a horrible realisation in pregnancy that we did something we shouldn’t have, or found out something about ourselves that could be a risk. But things are usually fine.

If you’re really stressed, then call your doctor to discuss. They will also hopefully give you alternative advice on how to improve the pain.

I wouldn't worry.

This is from the NHS and about using them during pregnancy.

www.oxfordhealth.nhs.uk/wp-content/uploads/2014/08/OP-100.15-TENS-machine-in-pregnancy.pdf

You should not use a TENS maching when pregnant under any circumstances.

They are a common method of pain relief during labour and often recommended by midwives.

@Merryclaire, thank you for your kind words, I've been so careful throughout my pregnancy but then these last 2 weeks due to such debilitating back pain I've been so desperate I feel like I've put my baby at risk so much, not on purpose obviously, I've done as medical professionals have advised but then researched after and panicked. I've taken Paracetamol, Codeine, Oromorph, lay on my front at the chiropractors, used a TENS machine!! Your right though what is done is done it cant be changed I just really hope baby isnt affected. My 20 week scan is only 15 days away. Thanks again for your support.

They’re literally offered as pain relief during pregnancy and labour?

@Hugasaurus thank you for the link, I'd seen this too and the 'odd' other bit of info saying it's ok but 90% of info out there says do not use until 37+ weeks! :( hope like @Merryclaire said it's just being cautious due to lack of evidence. Thank you :)

Op your trained medical professional would not have used something that was harmful during pregnancy, concentrate on your back feeling better

I always thought the warning to not use them before 37 weeks was the TENS companies covering themselves just in case. What mechanism would make the use of them dangerous in pregnancy? If they set off early labour we would all be using them instead of induction.

Just stick to NHS advice. A lot of pregnancy safety advice is from other countries where they have different standards for various things. Ask your midwife if in doubt.

Also sometimes it’s about choosing the lesser of evils - for example, while not risk free, tens may be safer than stronger pain killers. But I would again refer to doctor or midwife to advise.

Thank you all .. I really appreciate you commenting and making me feel better. I'm still scared but trying to think logically like you all are. And sadly what's done is done now anyway so I cant change it, I'll just hope for the best x

You don't need to hope for the best, it's totally fine! Nothing will have happened. They are fine to use during pregnancy, and you had a healthcare professional using it. Don't give it any more headspace.

Thank you sweetie

Can your chiropractor not use acupuncture to hep instead? There are some other devices that use lasers/cold lasers that only penetrate skin deep and provide relief from pain, some red light devices might help too.

Despite what people say there aren't any extensive research into these machines. I actually have a TENS and Rife machine that I used for health benefits. Not to point out the obvious but a chiropractor is NOT a medical specialist, nor are they medically trained or go to medical school...

Please bear in mind that Smoking was fine and doctors said nothing was wrong, also Asbestos was great until it wasn't, so were the heat resistant pans (Teflon) until recently when it has been proven that they kill us and the environment, see "Dark Waters" movie. Also look up "forever chemicals".

When my wife was pregnant and still working, I got her EMF protective baby bump so that the radiation from her laptop connection to WiFi, mobile phone etc would be minimised. Before anyone says anything, I had it tested and I can confirm that it cut EMF radiation by about %80.

There is a reason more and more babies get born with critical illnesses or they develop them at a very young age.