Have you used a TENS machine?

**Cricket** · July 28th, 2013, 08:45 AM

Just looking for feedback from mums who have used a TENS machine for pain relief during labour. I've heard a couple rave reviews, but would like to hear a little more about them before I see about renting/buying/borrowing something for this baby. So, if you used one, what did you think? Love it? Hate it? Meh? Advantages/disadvantages? Any info you can provide will be much appreciated!

Thanks!

**~Hestia~** · July 28th, 2013, 08:54 AM

Yes I have used a TENS twice, had no other pain relief. It doesn't take the pain completely away but it certainly helps! I also liked having something to concentrate on as there is a button you press down on when you're having a contraction.

You probably know that you can't use them in water. I was hesitant to take it all off and back on again so just didn't worry about showers etc during labour.

Hot tip - use duct tape to secure the pads to your back! Have done this both times

Because your back can get quite sweaty the pads can move from their spot otherwise.

**Dollyroux** · July 28th, 2013, 09:33 AM

Used TENS for my spontaneous forceps delivery with DD and my induced boy/girl twin delivery earlier this year. I found them very useful and would use again. I had unmedicated births both times. You can hire them through most hospitals - either the maternity ward or physio department.

Do try it before labour though Because some people find them irritating.

**Frangipani Lou** · July 28th, 2013, 09:41 AM

Yes I used a tens machine and loved it. I ended up having a spontaneous unplanned home birth on the couch at home and the tens was really fab. I used it in conjunction with calm birth breathing and I'd had some panadeine earlier I'm the night. A wonderful experience :-)

**maybebaby2012** · July 28th, 2013, 10:32 AM

I didn't love it and took it off pretty quickly. I found it stingy and distracting but not in a good way. However I only used it after I was in a lot of pain. Something tells me if I had used it from the start and had the chance to get used to the sensation before my labour got intense it would have been more useful. I would try it again!

**jellybean88** · July 28th, 2013, 12:20 PM

Absolutely loved it

Best to press button just before contraction starts helps take your focusof the pain feels like shower water pattering on your back and when I couldn't press button anymore it gave dh something to do so he felt more involved

I hired mine offline but if your planning 2 or more kids it would cost same or cheaper to buy

Also apparently good to use for afterbirth pains in days following birth

Used for an induced and a spontaneous labour

**~Hestia~** · July 28th, 2013, 01:49 PM

I didn't love it and took it off pretty quickly. I found it stingy and distracting but not in a good way. However I only used it after I was in a lot of pain. Something tells me if I had used it from the start and had the chance to get used to the sensation before my labour got intense it would have been more useful. I would try it again!

Yes the physio I hired ours from recommended putting it on from the first contractions.

**possum magic** · July 28th, 2013, 03:06 PM

I used TENS machine for both my labours; one spontaneous, the other kick started with gel/AROM. Mainly used TENS with some gas at the end of labor. Had the machine on from early in labour. Very effective together with active birthing type strategies. Highly recommend it. Planning on doing it again with next baby (I'm 23weeks pg). Hired mine from a local physio last time.

**Babyluv** · July 28th, 2013, 06:15 PM

Loved it! I had two natural births without pain relief and found the TENS to be amazing.

**LionsandBears** · July 28th, 2013, 06:43 PM

TENS is my best friend during birth. You put it on early, before things ramp up and you slowly increase the level of buzz as things progress. It helps to feel like you have some control. My support people moved damn fast if a contraction hit and the buzzer didnt work

i've used them for both natural birth and induction.

**Cricket** · July 29th, 2013, 02:12 AM

Looks like I'm going to have to look into this a little further.

I've heard you can buy them for about $35 online (overstock.com?) so that's not too bad.

The only thing that I'm not sure about is the comparison between that and water. My last three have been born in water, and I LOVED the bath for pain relief and relaxation. My labours are usually pretty fast - less than 3hr - and obviously it's the last part that's hardest. If the TENS is great for managing early labour pain especially, then I don't know if it's worthwhile for me to pursue, because that time is so short for me and I generally cope well. Any thoughts?

**meow** · July 29th, 2013, 02:25 AM

I used one and hated it. I am very sensitive to touch and 'foreign feelings' in my body though, if that make sense? Which is a very big part of why I had drug free labours too. As much as I don't enjoy the pain in labour, it is natural and I can cope with it.

I tried the TENS in early labour but I found it very electrical and stingy and I couldn't get into the vibe with it. The birth pool is a million times better in my opinion. Just run the bath and hop in

**jellybean88** · July 29th, 2013, 10:37 AM

I'd the $35 ones a labour one? I've never seen them that cheap but I've seen normal ones that cheap you will need the labour one because it goes higher and does other stuff

I had a 5 & 1 hr labours and would still use tens because I love it so much and I had afterbirth pains that were worse than labour

**~Hestia~** · July 29th, 2013, 10:43 AM

My last labour was not quite 2.5 hours and I still found it beneficial. But you do need to start using it early on, on the lowest setting, and then build up as labour progresses. With my short labour I wasn't even using it at full strength.

**Bloom** · July 29th, 2013, 11:09 AM

Love my TENS machine! I used it from the first contractions until the 2nd stage with all three natural births. I bought one before DS1 was born and it was a great investment. Others have borrowed it from me for either labour or for back pain.

It can be a bit tricky getting the sticky pads on your back in the right place. Do a practise run with your support person before hand and get used to how it works. That will also allow you to get used to the sensation of it.

If you are in and out of the shower/bath, it can be a bit of a pain taking it off and putting it back on. But that can't be helped. I alternated between shower and TENS and found them both useful.

**Pholi** · July 29th, 2013, 11:43 AM

Loved mine. Got me through the first 18 hours, and then the boost button started to not work. Unfortunately both DH and I forgot, in the moment, that we'd been told to change the batteries if that happened. I ended up opting for an epidural because I really needed that boost button working to cope with the pain, and without it I was not coping at all. I wonder what the outcome would have been if we'd remembered to change the batteries...

**Cricket** · July 30th, 2013, 11:39 PM

I'd the $35 ones a labour one? I've never seen them that cheap but I've seen normal ones that cheap you will need the labour one because it goes higher and does other stuff

I really don't know - just beginning to look into this. I didn't know there were different kinds. Thanks for the heads up!