TENS machine opinions?

[ukdealguide]

I'm looking into hiring a tens machine for labour but am really in two minds...does anybody have any previous experience of using one/if they're really any good?

[Pickle]

I swear by them - I used one as my only form of pain relief for all three babies, and all three labours were inductions using a drip (which I was told would mean I'd need an epidural for the pain). I hired each time from Natures Gate online.

[RenF]

I found my tens machine alternately good and then really annoying! I hired from natures gate too, and thought the cost wasn't prohibitive so maybe worthwhile having, but not the end of the world if it wasn't used.

[Beagle]

I used one for 24 hours at home before going into hospital. It really helped me, and worth the price of the rental. I used this company.

http://www.tensmachines.co.uk/Maternity-Tens_c_1.html

Certainly took the edge off the back pain during contractions, but could never remember to change setting to pulse for contraction, didn't seem to matter too much.

[ukdealguide]

Thanks guy's is there any brands that are better than others?

[Bellenden Belle]

I didn't get on well with mine at all. To the point I found it worse than labour! Seriously. Would recommend trying it once before the day so you know what to expect.

[ukdealguide]

Ok

Thanks Belle.

Might try that.

cheers

[Saffron]

Yes, definitely try it before your labour starts. Mr Saff had the settings wrong when he switched mine on for me, during labour, and it was very painful!! Once we got the setting right, it was very helpful.

The only real problem is that if you like the TENS but want to labour in a pool, you'll obviously have to take off the TENS. I didn't want to take off my TENS to get in the bath, though I think the water would have helped. I had such a short intense labour that we never even managed to set up the birthing pool.

I bought an inexpensive TENS and used it all through my initial labour. I think the connections came loose a couples times b/c it would stop working, but DH got it working again. Then just before transition it broke. (However at that point I really didn't care b/c I was just concentrating on the labour, and the midwife was able to give me some gas & air.)

So perhaps renting a higher quality TENS machine is better than buying a cheap one?

[oimissus]

O borrowed one off a friend and found it very useful in the early stages. I would see if you can borrow one and get new pads for it as they're quite expensive.

[Polly D]

Tens machine worked brilliantly for me for both home births. I found it gave me something to focus on during each contraction. I would liken it to easing the pain in the same way I rely in a hit water bottle for stomach cramps (not when pregnant!)

Would also recommend trying it out before your due date tho, just on your arm or something to make sure you (and your partner) know how it works.

I used the Elle machine and hired from this website: http://www.birthease.co.uk/

Think it was about ?25 and you get it 3 weeks before your due date, and have 4 weeks after due date to send it back. They send out the packaging to do so, it's free to return but you do need to get proof of postage.

[hellosailor]

I found the TENS really helped in labour, there did come a point when it was no longer cutting the mustard so I took it off, but it did help a lot for first few hours. I think definitely worth it.