Forum : Pregnancy

As this is my first I haven't used a tens in labour yet but I have one for back pain following a car crash and its worth is weight in gold, seriously, I hired one whilst having physio for my back and found it costly as is was costing me _45 per month so I bought one from Lloyds pharmacy for _20, they have just started the offer again this week, as I can't take my pain killers whilst pregnant I have been very reliant on this and it has been fantastic, it doesn't take the pain away completely but does make it bareable.

my labour was 3 days. labour started at midnight on friday and then friday evening i started using a tens machine. i then kept it on for the next 3 days! i arrived at hospital fully dilated and ready to start pushing. by that point it was up as high as it would go and was on constant pulse rather than intermittent and wasnt actually doing any good so i had gas and air (i then ended up having to have forceps cos baby was in slightly awkward position).

for me, it was the only pain relief i had (other than my partner's arm!) as the hospital wouldnt let me in until contractions were 2-3 mins apart and by that point i was fully dilated and arrived at hospital almost ready to push (that's another story tho!). it worked for me in that it just took the edge off. i have no idea at what stage of dilation it stopped doing any good (cos i wasnt in hospital to be checked), but it seemed to work better during the early stages - probably once u get to about 5 ot 6 cms it is more of a distraction pressing the buttons during contractions rather than actually relieving the pain. i would definitely use one when i have another baby. x.

Hi Laura. I had my 1st baby 6 months ago and found the Tens machine to be absolutley useless. That was just my experience however and it may not have been as effective for me because I had to be induced and went straight into having strong contractions instead of building up gradually. I have read numerous threads from other Mum's saying that Tens is great, I guess somethings work for some and not others.

hiya, i used a tens machine while i was in labour with my first son, which was 6 1/2 years ago now, but i can remember it fairly well, to be totally honest i dont know if it did help or not, but i know i managed to get to over 5 cms dilated without using anything else, in some ways the tingling sensation did help as t kind of takes your mind off of things, but when i had it on boost permanently and it wasnt taking my mind off the pain thats when i realized i needed some stronger relief, on the plus side i had a fast and speedy delivery not long after this so it must have done something all i can suggest is you try it, its not harmful to the babay so that has to be a plus, some peopl swear by them others hate them , i think it depends on you, give it a go and good luck, i'll certainly try it again with the one i'm expecting now, take care and let me know what you decide xxx

I used a tens machine for my first 16 weeks ago and i would defo recommend it. If anything it takes ur mind off the pain and distracts you. I used it as soon as my labour started right the way through until the end when i couldnt feel it anymore and had gas and air to push...it took the edge off the pain for me. Altho during labour the wires and sticky pads end up everywhere! hope it goes well whatever you decide.

Hi, I used a TENS machine when I had my baby 7 months ago and found it totally useless. It does distract you in the beginning but then the contractions aren't too bad which is why I was easily distracted. I don't think it actually did any good. My labour lasted 48 hours and I had to go into hospital 24 hours into it to be checked over (cause my waters had broken the day before) and the midwife said it wasn't working cause I'd been using it for too long and to stop using it for a bit and then try again.
Chelle, you're lucky getting to hospital when you're contractions are 2 mins apart and being fully dilated! When I went in (seperate to the time above) I'd been in labour for 36 hours, the contractions were 2 mins apart and was still only 2cm dilated! 3 hours later I finally reached 3cm and they let me have proper pain relief and I immediately asked for an epidural. They are great - no pain at all!
Anyway, I think if you're going to use a TENS, check with your hospital first cause mine hired them out for free, and be open to having other forms of pain relif when you get to hospital. Good luck with the birth and the rest of you pregnancy! x

Hi , thanks for the replies , they have helped . i think i will hire one for the first part of the labour and see how i get on after that . anythings worth a try !!!
Thanks again , laura xx

Hi - I was induced at 9 days over and during that night the back ache started - I had packed a tens machine and was very keen to use it. I found it useless!! It did not help one little bit and was just a pain in the back side, trying to stick the pads in place, then having to remove it when the monitor went on! I had a good book with me too and that's what distracted me in the end!

I used a tens macine in both my labours and it was brilliant. you can hire them from as little as _20 if you look around. In my second labour I only used the tens, and 5 mins of gas and air when I was pushing and it was great to not have the drugs in my system as I felt so clear headed after. The earlier you start using it the more effective they are.
Emma not really sure why you had to take yours off when they put you on the monitor? I never had to with my first (my second was born at home so totally different than hospital)

Probably just the mean old midwife - who was tired and just wanted to get off night duty!