TENS machines?

[MrsKChicago]

Anyone use one? DH got wind of them being used in labor and had a nice chat with the midwife at my appointment today, and now he's very excited about bringing one home from work for me to try. He said they're good for back pain outside of labor, too, which I get if I overdo it. I'm game to try (seems like there's no downside even if it doesn't work), just curious to hear stories from other moms. I'm hoping to avoid an epidural, which is really the only option for pain relief here (we don't do gas and air in the US), so it would be nice to have a bit of help.

 

[MaybeThisMnth]

I gave birth a week ago and found my TENS really useful up until the later stages of active labour. It was sod all use in transition when I switched to gas and air but gave me the distraction i needed up until that point! We bought the purple and cream one (Elle Tens?) and I'd definitely recommend it. You might not find that you need any other form of relief but could combine it with an injection of something (e.g. diamorphine) to take the edge off if that's available to you x

 

[lucy_smith]

I have a tens machine and use it for period pain. And it has been worth every penny I've spent on it!

 

[MrsKChicago]

Thanks, ladies! I'm excited to try it, and I hope it helps. Since it's free, I figure there's no downside, though since it's not specifically a maternity one I don't think I'll get the fancy boost button. I'm open to changing my mind since I have no idea what to expect, but I'd really prefer to avoid actual drugs, and there aren't many options here anyway (epidurals terrify me, don't like needles!).

 

[emyandpotato]

Don't know how useful mine was as couldn't tell a difference upon taking it off but I managed a long labour with no other pain relief so it might have helped? Will be getting one again this time.

 

[JessesGirl29]

My baby was back to back and I wished that I had followed through and gotten one because I had back labour and it would have been such a relief and distraction. I will never ever labour without one again, especially if baby is back to back again.

 

[lola85]

I had the Elle tens with my first and found it great! Definitely recommend a tens Machine I hired mine from mothercare last time but it's the first thing I'm buying this time!

 

[shinona]

Love my tens machine. Used it in all three labours x

 

[ClairAye]

I used one with my second and really liked it!

 

[pisces78]

My sister had a natural birth using just the tens machine so im going to give it a go with my first baby. She used through first and second part of labour. I will hire one from 37 weeks onwards.

 

[mum140381]

i found it didnt really do anything for me but i only had gas and air later on anyway x

 

[k4th]

I wasn't a fan really. But - my labour was entirely down my stomach muscles - I didn't have any back pain.

I didn't realise that until a midwife told me to take it off & try a bath. When I did I realised I had been "electrocuting" my back for no reason at all lol. In bought it last time & will get some new pads. But when my labour starts I'll really try to figure out where the pain is before I use it.