TENS - worthwhile or not?

[earth_99]

I recently attended baby class at my hospital. They said they do have a TENS machine available for birthing Mum's to use (we just have to bring our own sticky pads to use with the machine). But we don't go up to the hospital until contractions are 5 mins apart....

So my question: is the TENS machine still worth using at that stage of labour? I thought it was better in prelabour/early labour. I'm just wondering whether I should go buy the pads or not.

TIA

[Winter]

I thought it helped a little. What I liked about it was that it was another drug-free option that I had up my sleeve. You may not use it but if the pads are not expensive, then its another option open to you.

HTH xox

[jackrose]

Great point winter, another option is always good

It is better to use a Tens from early in labour... it may not be much help at later stages as the tens signals work on flooding the neural pathway and 'stopping' the pain messages from getting through to your brain. Once you are in established labour it is harder for the machine to compete with the pain messages.

If you are interested in using drug free pain options and are considering using TENS it may be worth looking into hiring one. I don't think that it is too expensive. There have been a number of previous posts here on BB about women who have used TENS machines, with a variety of experiences. If you look them up it may help you make a decision!

BTW I loved mine!

[Miss E]

I've hired one because I think it sounds like something that is worth a shot. All up it has cost me $80 to hire it and that includes the electrode pads (plus a $40 deposit that I will get back when I return it). I think that's pretty good value considering that I picked up at 36 weeks and don't have to return it until after bubs is born.

If you are interested in using one, I really would advise that you hire one. I've spoken to a few people who have used them and the only ones who found them of value where those who put it on as soon as their contractions started (before they were painful).

You can PM if you want details about where I hired mine.

[~Raven~]

TENS will help at contractions 5 mins apart but you'd be better off hiring one so you can use it at home earlier than that. Sometimes contractions can be a bit hurty but not close enough or long enough to go to hospital for IYKWIM.

Also what if you get there and someone else is using it? Missed out!

On a side note I wish I'd bought my own. After hiring one for each of my 4 births I'd have paid for it easily lol

[Just Me]

I am partly just subscribing to the thread because I am planning to use a TENS machine in my next labour. I have an appointment with a phsyio around 30 weeks to learn how to use it and I get to take it home so I can practice with it before I am actually in labour. Mine is from the Townsville Hospital - I pay $50 deposit that I get back when I return the machine.