TENS machine

[krisp]

I'm thinking of hiring a TENS machine for my next delivey.

Has anyone used one and if so what were your thought/tips??

[blue daisy]

Hey Krisp

I have not personally used a Tens machine...but they can be very effective for early labor (but not any good for the bath or shower )

it works on the principle of stimulating the skin nerve fibres, flooding the sensory 'gate' in the spine, which helps to block the the sensations from the cervical nerve fibres...reducing pain

the same principle can be applied with soft skin stimulation...such as a tickle with the finger tips or light touch massage

hope this helps

xx yogababy

[Feathertop]

I used one when not in the shower and found it very useful - I didn't realise how much until I took it off! It didn't take away all the pain but made it less and distracted me from it - I could turn it up when the contraction increased and then down when it decreased. I liked it better than the gas as it had a similar effect but didn't make me sick and dry mouthed.

[BellyBelly]

My thoughts are here: Natural Pain Relief Options For Labour

[~kellie~]

I've hired one, its all ready to go, so now just waiting for the labour to start!

[doulacara]

I have supported a woman who used one - she loved being able to turn it up during the peaks of her contractions and found it very effective for her.

[~Raven~]

I found it to be helpful in early labour, but there came a time where it just didn't do much and I went to the gas and had to take it off to use the bath. i don't think it helped much at all with Calebs labour as it came on too hard and fast for it to be effective.

[mgm]

I hired one through my hospital. Used it for over ten hours and still can't work out whether it helped or not! At the very least, it was a distraction, but I guess i'll never know if labour would have been harder without it. It didn't help that the remote-control thingy didn't work properly...

All in all I reckon it's worth a go; if it doesn't do much for you, you can always move on to other forms of pain relief. Good luck!

[feeb]

I have looked afer meny woman who have used tens and they have all loved it!!!

A friend used it and came into hospital with her first at 8cm dilated!!!

God luck with it also make sure you try water, heat packs, position changes and massage also!!

good luck

[linds]

I used a TENS and found it invaluable. It definitely took the edge off the pain and I think I would have asked for more pain relief if I hadn't been using it. As it was I got thru' labour and birth using TENS and a bit of gas. I know it was working because I accidentally turned the dial down for one of my contractions, and boy did I feel it!! It was soooo much worse than with the TENS turned up properly!!

[MummyNelly]

I had my son on monday and used a TENS machine it was fantastic! I thought at one stage i didn't need it anymore but a few minutes later it was back on again as i didnt realise how much pain it took away! I would definately recommend it!! I didn't turn it up or down i just had it set at a constant level, just turning it up as labour progressed. All in all i used it for close to 8hrs of the 10hr labour. Good luck!!