TENS any good?

[Cetarari]

I'm debating whether to get a maternity tens, I was in labour 5 days with Emmy (she was too early and they kept hoping it would stop!) and by the end I gave in an had an epidural about ten minutes before the end. If at all possible I would prefer not to have too much pain relief (although if it gets too bad I'll be begging for it!) and would like to manage without pethidine or an epidural. Has anyone tried a TENS maternity machine to take the edge off early labour, are they any good?

 

[KeriEloise]

I personally wont be getting one but i have heard reallly really good things about them
xxx

 

[MindUtopia]

I've not used one in labour yet, but I am hiring one. I've used TENS in the past for rehab on some sports injuries and recovery from surgery and it was great. It really did help the pain. The trick is to start it early while the pain is still easy to manage, and even (so I've been told by my midwife) to start using it periodically in the weeks leading up to birth. It sorta wakes up your endorphin system (your natural painkillers). I think it often doesn't work for women in labour because they start it too late thinking it will help the pain the second they turn it on, but it takes time to trigger your endorphins. You want to be using it at least an hour or so before you actually need it. I'd say give it a try. You might not want to use it or might find it doesn't help that much, but better to have it there as part of your tool kit just in case.

 

[chattyB]

I'm hoping they work! Never used one yet but bought a Mama Tens on eBay for a bargain price .... It arrived this morning still wrapped up in cellophane having never been used. I'm hoping it'll be the best £10 I've ever spent lol. I've heard great things about them tho.

 

[Cetarari]

I'm keen to try it, I might get Mr. Cetarari to order one tonight, I can see if it helps with my achy legs (bedrest has done a number on my muscles, and if I walk a normal amount now I get terrible muscle ache).

 

[benandbean]

I used one last time and it was great, I put it on after my 3 rd contraction and kept it on most of my labour. Have rented one for this time too x

 

[everthingX]

Yes would highly recommend one!! I bought mine from Lloyds 2 years ago when I had my son so will be resuing it this time also. I managed to get to 5cm at home with it and it really helped me concentrate on pressing the button during a contraction etc and gave me something to focus on also. I reckon I could have got further at home with just that but nerves took over for first time baby and wasnt sure how long labour would last. I used it right up until the end of my pregnancy when my pads went all funny were i was rolling around etc. So I swapped to gas and air.

Good luck, would highly recommend a LABOUR tens machine x

 

[WelshOneEmma]

I bought a second hand one (£8!) and have been using my TENS machine with the pains i have been having and its really helped. so glad i bought it!

 

[Snoopee]

I hope they work, I ordered mine today. Have only heard good things though.