Has anyone used a TENS machine during labour?

Hi All

I went to my first Antenatal Class at the hospital last night and we were told about the use of TENS machines during Labour.

I've used one on my back before as I have a disc protusion and it worked wonders on my back problems but I'm wondering about anyone else's experiences with using a TENS machine during labour?

Did it help you at all? Did you find relief using it? Had you used one previously?

Thanks Ladies!

I did a post on this not long back, heard good things, I'm definately getting one, I found a couple of good sites you can hire them from, google labour tens and birth partner.

Oh Really?

Where abouts did you post it? I might go have a read! :)

It was in pregnancy general discussion maybe search Tens and see if it comes up :)
But by the sounds I think Tens is the way to go if you're opting for drug free or even to get you through the first stage!

I used a TENS machine for my VBAC with DD. It was brilliant! I had never used one before but the physio (I hired it from the maternity hospital physio) showed me how to use it effectively. I started using it when my contractions were about 10 minutes apart and used it all the way into the end of transition where I felt like it wasn't working anymore. At one point I had it maxxed out and shouted at DH that it was broken LOL...Anyway, it was really good. The tingling sensation and the fact that I had buttons to push was a great distraction as well as a pain reliever. The only downside was that I could not take it in the bath or shower obviously. But, yes, very effective tool and I'd use it again next time.

I responded to babyluv's thread! It was great!!

I had one booked online and hired, all set up in my labour bag and then found that for me labouring wasnt nearly as painful as I expected and never used it, waste of money for me :lol: but I have also only heard good things about them and wouldnt think twice about rehiring if needed. Good luck :D

Loved it. It helped so much. I had a drug free birth using TENS. It was my best friend for the day :)

Hi,

I used a TENS machine with both my labours and found it to be invaluable, absolutely brilliant! First labour I managed to get by on that and the gas. Second labour just TENS. I find it really makes a difference to the pain level. During my first labour I accidentally turned the dial down during a contraction, and screamed at poor DH that it wasn't working and to go get another battery. Then I realised I just needed to turn it up, lol. So yep, definitely made a difference!

Trick is to put it on right at the start of labour, and ramp it up as your contractions get stronger.

HTH

Thanks Ladies! :D

I'm still so very early along (only 15 weeks) but its definately sounding like its something worthwhile using!

I have heard that you should be using it throughout your pregnancy aswell to "get used to it" but I dont know how true this is?

Can anyone shed some light on that? Did anyone else use it throughout their pregnancy? Or just in their labour?

Dont see why it would be useful during pregnancy, except to learn how to put it on. I wouldnt want to get too 'used to it' in case it wasnt as effective during birth.

I dont think i ever had it turned up higher than 2 or 3 during birth. It may be if you use it more the lower settings are less effective, i dont know.

It worked well for me, but i was also using my hypnobabies scripts on my ipod ( i had an ipod in one hand and the TENS control in the other). I also moved around as much as i could, used the shower ( without the TENS) and had people giving counter pressure to my lower back.

Whilst things got intense i cant say it ever got so painful i couldnt deal with it. It was exhaustion that started doing me in. I did get cranky a couple of times when the TENS didnt work the second i wanted it to :) i also didnt appreciate having it taken off me when it came tome to push.

I should also say a friend of mine tried it but didnt find it much use.

The thing to remember is get it on early, before things get really intense.

GL

No you shouldn't use it during pregnancy as it *may* trigger labour. That's what my physio told me anyway.