Experiences/opinions on TENS machine please

[OceanPrincess]

Just to add my sister's experience with the TENS machine - she loved it. She had it on from about 10pm the night before my niece was born, it helped her to sleep through the start of her contractions, a little bit anyway. She had it quite low at this point.

She kept it on going into the hosp, had it on for the entire duration of the labour and even afterwards when the Dr was stitching her up (only a few stitches!).

She loved the feeling of control it gave her and said it really helped her pain. She only used that and the gas for the birth.

I also agree it isn't electrical shocks - what it does is send a tiny little impulse into the spinal cord, I think to interrupt the pain messages shooting up and down the spine.

Anyway my sister loved it and I'm definitely getting one for Feb!

[lestyrox]

Thanks everyone, i'm thinking i might get one and give it a try and then if it doesn't work my hubby can always use it for footy injuries.. i've heard they're good for that too!
My last labour was all in my back so i think the TENS machine would probably work well for me if i have back labour again this time.
Thanks!

[diva det]

Just a question?
Where do you get them from?
I'm in Melb

odette

[OceanPrincess]

Odette, my sister hired hers through the Mercy hospital where she was booked in for delivery.

You need to register to hire one a while before birth and then they give it to you a week or so before your EDD I think.

Ask your hospital/midwife/obs - that's what I'll be doing when it gets a bit closer.

[meow]

I tried one and hated it... the electric pulses felt icky and it hurt me a couple of times. I also hated the pads on my back. I still ended up with a drug free labour.
My sister swore by it when she used one though.

[Jac]

I tried one and hated it... the electric pulses felt icky and it hurt me a couple of times. I also hated the pads on my back. I still ended up with a drug free labour.
My sister swore by it when she used one though.

This is why I thinks it's essential to try it before you make a decision as to whether to use it. I could tell straight away that it would be a great thing for me, but for others the sensation will be unpleasant.

Odette - Where in Melb do you live? I hired mine from a company in East Brighton and thought the guy who showed it to me was great - they do send them out but as I posted above I think a "go" of it first is better. I will PM you the details if you want - let me know. It depends on the hospital you are planning to give birth in as to where you can hire them through - this company I went through were fine for Royal Womens/FPH and Masada as there are the 2 hossies I've dealt with. (ETA : Ahh, I see you are in Montmorency so East Brighton not so great - ask your hospital).

[~kellie~]

I agree with Ren 100%, I also hated it, I think I only had it on for 2 contractions and then ripped it off, cause it felt worse than the contractions for me.
I also ended up with a drug free labour