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Original poster

Is a TENS machine worth it?

36 replies

justanothermanicmonday1 · 09/07/2023 23:08

Just that really.

Being induced in a few weeks and wondering if this is beneficial in any way?

Thanks.

OP posts:
Confusion101 · 09/07/2023 23:16

I wasn't induced so can't comment there but I found it very beneficial in the early stages of labour. Once I got further along it wasn't doing enough for me even at the highest setting but I definitely was happy to have it and wish I'd started using it earlier on in the labour

Original poster
justanothermanicmonday1 · 09/07/2023 23:18

Confusion101 · 09/07/2023 23:16

I wasn't induced so can't comment there but I found it very beneficial in the early stages of labour. Once I got further along it wasn't doing enough for me even at the highest setting but I definitely was happy to have it and wish I'd started using it earlier on in the labour

Ah thank you. I think I'll definitely get one. Can't do any harm. Is there a specific one you can recommend? X

OP posts:
DelurkingAJ · 09/07/2023 23:18

I thought mine was useless until I took it off in early labour to have a relaxing bath and exited the bath rapidly so I could have it on again…I bought mine in a sale and when I had DS2 just bought new pads…it has done about eight babies to my knowledge so may be worth asking around.

Original poster
justanothermanicmonday1 · 09/07/2023 23:19

DelurkingAJ · 09/07/2023 23:18

I thought mine was useless until I took it off in early labour to have a relaxing bath and exited the bath rapidly so I could have it on again…I bought mine in a sale and when I had DS2 just bought new pads…it has done about eight babies to my knowledge so may be worth asking around.

Thank you so much!

What one did you buy? X

OP posts:
BitOutOfPractice · 09/07/2023 23:19

I used one. I didn’t think it was working till the pad came off and I nearly got the roof!

Confusion101 · 09/07/2023 23:21

justanothermanicmonday1 · 09/07/2023 23:18

Ah thank you. I think I'll definitely get one. Can't do any harm. Is there a specific one you can recommend? X

Show quote history

This is the only one I've used so have nothing to compare it to but I bought the Boots own branded own and was well impressed. Easy to use, spare pads, different strength settings.

The only thing I was told when buying one is to look out for a labour specific one. There are other ones you can get for non-labour back pain but seemingly they aren't fit for labour at all!

DelurkingAJ · 09/07/2023 23:21

I’m sorry…I bought mine a decade ago so I’m not much use on which one is best!

Original poster
justanothermanicmonday1 · 09/07/2023 23:22

BitOutOfPractice · 09/07/2023 23:19

I used one. I didn’t think it was working till the pad came off and I nearly got the roof!

Haha you're the second person to say this.

Note to self: don't take it off lol 😆

OP posts:
chickbean · 09/07/2023 23:23

I didn't get on with it at all - I remember finding it really irritating and no help. I bought it before my first, thinking it would be an economy as I wanted 2 children. Ended up lending mine to friends who wanted to try it - had all three of my children without.

LightDrizzle · 09/07/2023 23:26

I got to 6cm with mine and my waters broke as I got out of the car at the hospital. Either the waters breaking or the TENS stopping made it much more painful. I think they are great.

GrowBabyGrow · 10/07/2023 03:19

I rented one and found it helpful as a distraction. I found the feeling quite annoying so glad I didn’t buy one but I’d recommend renting one - no harm in trying it!https://babycaretens.com/categories/labour-tens/labour-tens-to-hire.html

Labour TENS machine hire - from Babycare TENS

Labour TENS machine hire - from Babycare TENS

https://babycaretens.com/categories/labour-tens/labour-tens-to-hire.html

starray · 10/07/2023 04:16

Really helped me through labour. Couldn't have done without it.

PickledScrump · 10/07/2023 05:09

I put mine on in early stages and kept it on until I got into the birth pool but was at the pushing stage by then. Highly recommend. I hired on from a website called birth-ease. Super easy to do. I went for elle tens 2. Had different levels, a contraction timer and boost button. It’s a bit weird to start with but stick with it, it really does help. Make sure you start using it in the early stages for best use.

squidgem · 10/07/2023 05:15

I used a tens machine for my second birth 2 weeks ago. It made a huge difference to how I handled the contractions in comparison with my first. I am so glad I had it on hand this time.

Tryingtoconceivenumber2 · 10/07/2023 11:36

I thought it was absolutely brilliant and managed to get to 8cm at home with just this. I hired mine for about £25. I'm now 20 weeks pregnant and will definitely get another one this time x

Wigggggly · 10/07/2023 17:53

I would definitely recommend. My hospital suspended gas and air so did a whole labour using one. But don't think the effects are universal. My SIL used the same one and wasn't impressed.

Might be worth looking into renting/asking around your friends rather than buying if you're not sure. Otherwise, I'd second the babycare one.

qwertylal · 10/07/2023 17:56

I found it very useful, only pain relief I used. Not sure if it was the distraction of trying to work out how to work it or not though but it certainly helped having that to focus on!

buzzlightyearsgloves · 10/07/2023 18:01

I was induced and it didn't make the blindest bit of difference. I do know people who weren't induced who really recommend them though so kicked be worth a go.

NCJD · 10/07/2023 18:01

I thought it was great in early labour. I wouldn’t buy one unless you think you’ll use it for other pain issues in the future. You can rent them for a decent price. A lot of maternity units rent them out or you can just look online.

Georgie8 · 10/07/2023 18:01

Haven’t been induced, so cannot comment in regard to that, but I used only the TENS machine during my labours.
Didn’t think it’d work and expected to be asking for every drug going, but my SIL said the “trick” was to start using it really early on.
It’s definitely worth trying.

Original poster
justanothermanicmonday1 · 10/07/2023 18:06

Thanks all. Definitely going to hire one. Just makes more sense rather than spending the money and buying one outright. X

OP posts:
happyandhopefull · 10/07/2023 18:07

As many have said, it really worked for me. Just as we decided to head to the hospital, I started pushing. I never thought my contractions were that strong until I took it off.

timefornewme2023 · 10/07/2023 18:13

Another resounding yes here - with both my labours Tens was the only pain relief I used.
Made a massive difference to me .

Good luck when the time comes OP .

catsnore · 10/07/2023 18:55

Worked amazingly my first labour - long, slow contractions. When they eventually took it away from me I couldn't believe how bloody painful it was 😂

Second labour I was induced and the contractions were almost constant and rapid and much more intense. The tens machine helped but I couldn't use it in the same way I did the first time round (I would adjust the levels and so on according to how intense the pain was ). It was still worth having but I was bleating for gas and air much more quickly!

When you use it, start using it in early labour as the effect kind of builds up gradually as you ramp up the dials!

Straysocks · 10/07/2023 19:11

Not all TENS are the same. The ones for childbirth have different strengths and settings to adjust over the wave of contraction, don't get an over-the-counter one. My local hospital/midewifery team loaned them out. It was incredibly useful for me but make sure you get one made for childbirth.