Tens??

Hi,
I just wondered about people's experiences of TENS in labour? I've heard it works really well but not sure if it's for me so would like to know how other people found it?
Thanks!

I've been wondering the same thing. I mentioned it to my midwife and she thought it was a good idea :dunno:

I used a TENS machine during labour. I couldn;t recommend it enough!!!

All four of my labours have been drug free natural births, but it was only the last one I used the TENS for. It gave me a real sense of control and reall did work to ease the pain, particularly in the early stages. There were a couple of times (near/during transition) where I questioned whether it was actually doing anything, so I stopped using it, and OMG there was an intense difference. I wish I had tried using one for previous births.

The TENs machine would work best with calm birthing methods or hypnobirthing IMHO.

My TENS machine cost me $25 on ebay (new from China). You don't 'need' a special pregnancy unit - you just need to ensure you learn how to use it and play with it before you are in labour and needing it.

Thanks Misty, I guess I'm sort of thinking that I like being in the water a lot and am planning on spending time in the bath / shower where you can't use the TENS but being my first don't really know what I'll want to do on the day so maybe it would be worth having it there as another option... Would be great to hear about anyone else's experiences too, thanks!

If you run a search in the forums you'll find a few threads/discussions about TENS.

Thankyou!

I used TENS during my most recent birth. Honestly, I don't know if it helped my pain but the control button was awesome as a focus point during the contractions. I was hitting that button like there was no tomorrow lol.

When I asked my OB about it, he was happy for me to use it - as he said, if it doesn't bring you any relief, then you haven't lost anything, but if it helps then it's fantastic.

I hired one for my first and MIL gave me hers for the second so I will be using that one for third. the sensation is a bit weird but better than conrtactions. Bets to put on during early labour (as I have) as I don't think they are great once labour is well established but then you can move on to showers, baths etc.

Great reminder that I need to book mine!

Loved it last time, keen to have it again this time.