TENS in labour???

[leckert]

When I went to my antenatal class on Saturday the physio instructor mentioned TENS as a non-drug pain management technique. I was wondering what people had thought of this if they had used it. Not quite sure about it or anything else. I intend to do a bit of research about it in the next week or so. DH is not keen on the idea - thinks it's a bit iffy / strange and is not sure about it.

[jackrose]

It is definitely something worth looking into to see whether it works for you and the way you want to labour.

I love them, I have used them in my work for pain relief, lent one to friends for labour and had success with one during my labour.

There have been a number of other threads about them here, here and here if you want to start some research...

If your DH feels they are a bit iffy, you can tell him that there is reliable scientific theory about how and why they work. However, you both have to feel comfortable about what ever labour management you decide on, you both have to be on the same page...

Hope that helps, and I am more than happy to answer any other qns you might have!

[Snacks]

If your DH feels they are a bit iffy, you can tell him that there is reliable scientific theory about how and why they work. However, you both have to feel comfortable about what ever labour management you decide on, you both have to be on the same page...

This is great advice for you, Liz, except I wonder how relevant it is that your DH is comfortable with such a non-invasive pain relief method?!? Surely if it works for you he should be happy with that? You're the one who's experiencing the pain after all And it isn't like a drug that's going to cross the placenta and affect your baby...
I've not used TENS in labour but have at the physio for other pains. Personally, I didn't find it relieved my pain as much as distracted me from it. But that could be a useful tool when the time comes too!
There's no harm in looking into it. GL!

[leckert]

DH's not against it as such. He is as keen as me in trying to avoid having drugs for the pain - happy to have gas but ... I think he sees it like an alternative medicine method (like accupunture and things like that) which he's sceptical about in general.

[jackrose]

This is great advice for you, Liz, except I wonder how relevant it is that your DH is comfortable with such a non-invasive pain relief method?!? Surely if it works for you he should be happy with that? You're the one who's experiencing the pain after all

Sorry, I didn't explain myself very well, I was in a bit of a rush with a very vocal toddler with very sore gums needing my attention.

What I meant by you both having to feel comfortable is that there is nothing worse than going through labour with someone who is not supportive. It can be very destructive to your labour to feel that there is anyone in the room who doesn't back you 110%, especially if it is someone as important as your DH. Yes, your DH absolutely should be behind you in what ever pain relief you choose to use, but at this stage you have time to help him come around to your way of thinking, whatever that might be

I agree Snacks

Surely if it works for you he should be happy with that?

I think that if your DH is keen for you to avoid having drugs and has an understanding of how other forms of pain relief work (read alternative) he will be more than happy! Research and information is the key!

[jackrose]

blagh! Double post!

[Tobily]

Definitely worth a try.

I have to say I was a bit of a skeptic about TENS but a couple of weeks back I had a client who did a 30 hour posterior labour with nothing but TENS and I am now a believer

Some women find them irritating with all the wires hanging off them but it didn't bother this mama at all. She just sat on her birthball with her TENS and breathed and breathed and she did great.

[Reborn]

I dont want to rain on the TENS parade but I used it and it was not helpful. It distracted me but that was it. Plus the stupid sticky things kept falling off or getting stuck to things that werent my body. I'm not a fan, but in saying that maybe it will be different with you....

[Snacks]

To clarify, Jackrose - I really wasn't trying to have a go at you! Sorry if it came across that way! I totally agree with you and thought you worded your post well and was just extending my thoughts from yours
Liz, I understand the alternative med scepticism - I'm sure there are lots of people who feel the same way. FWIW I think it'd be good to encourage him to keep an open mind about it, particularly if you guys are keen to avoid Western med drugs. (Depending on your care provider/s these can be encouraged very strongly, which I think is appalling but it certainly happens.) If you're confident that there are other alternatives besides drugs (e.g. meditation, visualisation etc) then you (or he on your behalf) can be more assertive about doing without the 'hard' stuff. All the best, anyway.

[Miss E]

Hi Leckert, FWIW I've booked a TENS machine for my labor. I can understand your DH being a little sceptical about the effectiveness of it, TBH I am. But I also would like to avoid using anything other than gas during my labor so figure it can't hurt to give it a go. And, it's only costing my $80 to hire it, so if I don't like it or don't use it all the way through I'm hardly going to be upset about the money I spent on it.

The people I know who have used it have mixed reviews. But the ones who are most negative about it seem to have waited too long to put it on (you need to start using it at the very beginning of labor when the contractions aren't painful so the endorphins have time to build up in your system).

Whatever you decide, good luck for your labor.

[Pandora]

I dont want to rain on the TENS parade but I used it and it was not helpful. It distracted me but that was it..

That's the general idea. Its like when you bump your elbow and rub it - the rubbing distracts you from the pain and the sensation of the running gets to your brain before the pain receptors, lessening it.

TENs work by replicating that rubbing sensation, which travels to your brain faster than the pain can, so you need to time its use to your contractions too, a bit like if you have gas and air a lot of it is in the timing.

[Pinny-mum]

Hi Leckert,
I used a TENS in both my labours, first birth induced and very full on but I still belive the TENS really helped me. I felt like I had something to do once the labour pains started someting to control I guess! Yes I am a bit of a control freak

My second birth just twelve weeks ago today, was a wonderful experience and I used a TENS machine again.

I loved it right up until I started to push and then I just couln't concentrate on doing that too. My DH was able to remove it, I have heard it is good to use with the after pains too, unfortunatley I didn't get to try it as DH was being very efficent, too efficent and took the TENS back the next morning

Good Luck
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[hipmummy]

I too am wanting to use TENS this time around. I have used TENS previously for postop pain and found it useful. I am just wondering if it is a special TENS machine that you need, and if so, where can you get them? My Dr was all for it but said I would have to source one for myself. Any ideas? (Sorry to crash your post but I thought it was relevant to the subject)

[hipmummy]

I too am wanting to use TENS this time around. I have used TENS previously for postop pain and found it useful. I am just wondering if it is a special TENS machine that you need, and if so, where can you get them? My Dr was all for it but said I would have to source one for myself. Any ideas? (Sorry to crash your post but I thought it was relevant to the subject)

[jackrose]

To clarify, Jackrose - I really wasn't trying to have a go at you!

Thanks Snacks . No worries, you just made me realise that I had not really followed thorough on my point as I had intended.

It is great to see some varied responses here as this is exactly the way it works with TENS, or as a matter of fact with any pain relief or with labour itself... different for everyone!

Hisista, I never hired one as I had my own so am not 100% sure where you get one from, but I think if you Google something like "hire TENS maternity" (use the search in Australia parameter) you may find some to hire. Otherwise, you may get some info and contacts at your hospital prenatal classes?? Often the physio department at maternity hospitals have them too so you could try them??

[Miss E]

hisista, I think your hospital should be able to give you information on where to hire one from. But if you are in Melb, PM me and I'll give you the details for where I have booked mine.

[pucci]

You can hire them from here

Mama TENS Hire