Tens machine worth it ?

[LizzeyBenett]

Just wondering what everyone's thoughts on tens machines are , is it worth it ? Did you find it helped ?

Yes, 100% worth it, especially you use if from very early on in labour

Yes 100% worth it. Used for both labours and found it a great help for the pain before you get to the gas and air part. Only took mine off to get in the birthing pool.

You can hire them, I did this the first time. For second labour I bought one off Facebook marketplace x

Absolutely worth it- rent it

I borrowed one from a friend and if I have a second baby I'll borrow it again. It was really good, highly recommend!

I also recommend. I used with both my labour's and it really helped. I don't know of it was the feeling of control over the pain or was real but it helped me.

I didn’t love mine, but I’m glad I had it and that I tried it.

I was alone from 0-5cm due to covid and used one in hospital during this time and I don't know if it actually helped with the pain but it certainly gave me something to focus on and felt like I had some control with every contraction 😅 I left hospital without it as I had to go for emergency surgery after the birth and I think they ripped it off me and it got lost. Was a bit annoyed as it wasn't cheap but then I realised they saved my life so I can hardly complain about a missing tens machine under the circumstances. If it's not a big cost to you then you could definitely get one to support you in early labour. In hospital they don't give you anything for relief like gas and air or an epidural in the early stages (or at least didn't in the induction ward I was in) so it's nice to have something even if it's partly a placebo.

Couldn't have got through days of early Labour at home without out.

I used one that I hired from Boots for DC1.

When I started screaming, couldn't speak, just flailed my arms around mid second stage, it took a while for the midwives to realise I'd accidentally pushed it up to maximum strength. It worked really well until then, and that's the only pain I remember now! Also the only pain relief I used.

I used one for DC2 as well, but that was August, hot, and I was too sweaty for the pads to stay stuck on.

I hired one for the delivery room and brought it with me to hospital when I went in. Apparently I was 3cm when I arrived. Anyway I had been breathing through the contractions and asked DH to get my TENS machine out.

The midwife and obstetrician looked at me and laughed apologetically and said "oh no it's too late for that, it won't make any difference"! So I didn't bother and just got an epidural.

So I think I did deep breathing through the bit the TENS was meant to help with and was fine, and I am very afraid of pain.

Definitely helped

Like a PP, I didn’t have a chance to use mine as my labour was fairly quick and intense from the beginning and I was already 5cm when I got to the hospital first time around (8cm the second time).

I found it reassuring to have it though and have heard good things from others about them. If you’re able to give birth in the pool I would recommend that for pain relief.

Yes I used one for 40hours of labour for ds. I was convinced it wasn't making much difference at first but then about a day in I accidentally turned it off and ooohhh mama, I noticed the difference then. Only took it off to get in the pool about 4 hours before I gave birth.

It does take a while for it to have a good effect so you need to put it on at the first twinges.

Also get a specialist maternity one. They often have a trigger button that you can click when a contraction starts to increase intensity. That was great!

I have two now as they are great for muscle pain too.

It was good for the early parts of labour

Yes I have three from Lidl it was the only thing that eased my shoulder and wrist pain after I was injured.

I hired one and used it throughout labour and during the birth. I had maternity one with a boost button like a PP mentioned above. I used only a tens and gas and air and the birth was fine. It does give you something to focus on and the boost button is really helpful. I highly recommend it.

You won't know til you're in labour but you don't need to get one new, I bought one for £20 at an NCT sale and it's amazing. It got me all the way to pushing when I finally had some gas and air!

You won't know til you're in labour but you don't need to get one new, I bought one for £20 at an NCT sale and it's amazing. It got me all the way to pushing when I finally had some gas and air!

I used a TENS machine for both of my labours. I found it very helpful and would recommend trying it. The second time (when there was no birthing pool on offer) I actually only took the machine off for the final few pushes.

Absolutely. I managed the first 12 hours with this. The second 12 hours were a bit different.

Yes, used both times. I bought mine then it’s been passed around many friends and family (they just buy new pads).

Yes definitely, I used one in both my labours.

You do have to start using it right from the beginning though as it takes time to build up the effect of the endorphins it creates.

Definitely buy/hire a maternity tens rather than just a regular one, you want the boost button for contractions.

I borrowed one from a friend. I was induced and it got me from 1-10cm before it was removed so I could get into the pool. I’m really glad I had it and I definitely think it helped me. As others have said, you’ll need a specific maternity one, with maternity pads.