Experiences of using a TENS machine in early labour

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I'm only 27 weeks so got a while yet until baby is here but just starting to think about labour and birth and stuff, this isn't my first baby but I've never tried a TENS machine in labour before and just wondered what peoples experience of them are? Did they help through the early stages?

Came here to say this too! I wanted back out the pool to get mine back on. 10/10 would recommend.

Yes was great - mind tricks perhaps but even having a little button control for it gave me a sense of control in my labour. Lots of rental options but I bought mine for my first pregnancy and have now just lend it friends/family and they are very grateful - they just buy their own pads.

That it was rubbish until the batteries ran out 😂

Absolutely fantastic.

I thought it would be a load of nonsense, and I never used it with first as ended up with an epidural but it was brilliant with my second. That and paracetamol got me to 6cm although tbf I'd have like to have hit the gas and air a bit sooner. I was induced so a bit left to it, I found it helpful to have some pain relief that was in my control rather than waiting for someone else to agree to it and dish it out...

Yes loved mind through both labours, first labour was 30 hours and I used it throughout, it was my main pain relief with breathing, I had a shot of pethidine in the middle because I was so knackered but apart from that, TENS and gas and air at the end did the whole thing for me. Second labour was 4.5 hours and all TENS again, with G&A the last 30 mins in hospital. I preferred the TENs to being in the pool, and found the focus of being able to control that alongside my breathing really helped. I knew I didn’t want an epidural (if I could possibly avoid it) so was very focused on preparing for alternatives.

Yes, I found it helpful in early labour. I think it distracted me from the pain. At first, I used it on the lowest settings as I found the higher ones excruciating. But a few hours later, I was cranking it right up and barely noticing the electrical impulses!

That said, when I was finally admitted to hospital I took off the TENS machine and got into the birthing pool, which helped a lot. Also, I loved the gas and air!

I'd been in labour at home for about 3/4 days with my first and was struggling a lot with pain so DH went out and bought me one. It helped me massively, gave me some relief and also allowed me to get some sleep. It doesn't take the pain away but it sort of disguise it and makes it more manageable.

Get replacement pads though I was induced and used it over a few days and then in Labour and I went through pads and two spare pads.

Used mine yesterday was induced ended up giving birth on gas and air (it all happened very fast) I wouldn't of made it through without my tens machine so glad I bought it .

My DD is 25 now but I got one to help with contractions when she was due. I had an overbearing MIL and she invited us to dinner when I was a few days overdue. I think she probably hoped I'd give birth in her living room so she could grab baby. Anyway, we didn't tell her I'd started contractions, as didn't want her interfering. I was sitting on her sofa and felt a contraction building and quietly twiddled the dial in my pocket....and turned it too far and nearly electrocuted myself! She asked if I was ok and I said "yes, baby just gave a huge unexpected kick"🤣 I gave birth the following morning, and it definitely helped.....when I used it correctly.

Definitely recommend. I used it up until I was fully dilated. I must admit there came a point maybe 9cm where it just became more annoying than anything. Getting into the pool was bliss. And gas and air, when I finally got some it was magic!

Got mine for Facebook marketplace and just brought new pads from Amazon.