Is it worth getting a TENS machine??

[bigpreggybelly]

Did anyone find it helpful??

Wasn't sure it made much difference with first labour but it was a good distraction.
Definitely helped with second labour so think it probably did help first time round.

Make sure you get a 'labour' one not just a 'back pain' one - think it cost about £20 to hire for 5-6 weeks from ad at back of pregnancy mag.

HTH

to me it was a bit pointless. bit like trying to fend off a hippo with a fly swat...............

best is to get very firm lower back massage from partner during contractions instead imo.....

you will be great.

loved it loved it loved it. You put it on as soon as things start amd it is supposed to stimulate your body into producing pain killing hormones (i think, don't quote me). Either way it helped me loads in both labours, and it also distracts you during contractions trying to turn it on . You can hire them from babycaretens.

Found it very helpful on both counts: distraction is good/genuinely pain relieving. Put it on as early on as possible for best chances of it helping Good luck

I didn't use one as DS arrived early and I hadn't had a chance to hire one at that point.

BUT, most of my antenatal group used them and I've heard some really good reports. They seem to be mostly helpful during early labour and got a lot of people through the first part at home really well. They also seem to give the user a sense of control over the contractions and I've heard the boost button (not sure if on all models) is a really good option to have.

I'm planning on using one this time around.

I found a TENS helped. Over about 45 minutes I went up from having it at 5 during contractions to the maximum which I think was 25, and the wierd pulsing sensations were a useful distraction. By then I was at 8cm and started on gas and air, which I used for another 45 mins, with the TENS machine still on. Then I reached second stage and they took the gas and air away. It took 12 minutes of pushing until my daughter was born and I was able to tell my husband to take the TENS machine off - I don't know what level I left it at but it was pretty uncomfortable once contractions stopped!

I would say it is definitely useful in early labour (but only if you put it on straight away before it hurts). Most of the people i know who said it was useless didn't put it on until they were in real pain - this is too late as your body needs time to make the natural endorphins.

I didn't actually realise how much it helped until the electrodes fell off and suddenly everything got a lot worse!! I think it has limited use in later stages (i had an epidural in the end but got to almost fully dilated with just the tens)

Cool! Thanks everyone!