TENS machine

[jackrose]

In my life pre-baby I worked in health and often used them on patients for pain relief with great success, I even lent mine to a client who's wife was due to have a baby and he brought it back with a great success story saying that it had been fantastic for his wife. It was a no-brainer therefore for me to use one.

I found it was really helpful in my extended labour - (30 hours in hospital not counting the labouring at home before hand!) I started with it at home and used it all the time except when I used the shower for pain relief.

I did find that the midwives were a bit unsupportive in my case - they pretty much suggested that it was a placebo - but I didn't care and I don't think that my experience is indicative of normal attitude of midwives.

They basically work on the principal of pain gating which is an effective and natural pain management approach. The most important thing is to get it on in early labour at a low level and amp it up as necessary. If you miss the early window, the pain relief is said to be less effective.

I think it is a great opportunity to arm yourself with a safe, easy and effective pain relief technique to help hold off the need for more invasive pain management and possibly interventions as labour progresses.
Good luck!

Edit: I should add that I made it to the 35 hour mark in my labour with only the Tens for pain relief then resorted to the gas...