TENS Machine: Hi ladies. Was wondering... - Pregnancy and Par...

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TENS Machine

Kempton profile image
12 Replies

Hi ladies. Was wondering if anyone had any experience of using a TENS machine when they were in labour and whether they could shed some light on how effective they found it?

Mine arrived yesterday and I'm just figuring out how it works, getting used to all the different controls and settings.

Thanks!

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Kempton profile image
Kempton
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12 Replies

Hi I used it I didn’t find it any use tbh but everyone’s different might work for you.

Kempton profile image
Kempton in reply to

Thanks for the reply. I've read similar things online. I guess I won't know if it works for me until the time comes!

roxannacar profile image
roxannacar

Was ok at the start with my first one... once the proper contracts kicked it didn't do much. Didn't bother using it with my second one. But some people do find it helps, so worth giving it a try... beware you can't use it if you plan a water birth

Kempton profile image
Kempton in reply toroxannacar

Thanks. I've been told to start using it right at the start for the best impact. I'm a bit unsure now though Cuz I liked the idea of a water birth, or at least access to a pool for pain relief and relaxation. I also read a few people (on Google) saying that the TENS machine was less effective after having a bath and I'd bought a load of Bath salts for when labour begins.

I guess I'll see how it all goes on the day!

Thanks for the reply.

Lynnc84 profile image
Lynnc84 in reply toKempton

I had a bath after starting TENS. Just took it off and put it in again afterwards. But I found TENS more helpful than the bath.

KellyTrip profile image
KellyTrip

I used one during my second labour and found it helped along with controlled breathing. If I tried it during my first then I would say it wouldn't have been useful at all but I had two very different labours!! I was glad I had it during my second as it was my only pain relief!

Kempton profile image
Kempton in reply toKellyTrip

Thanks, that's really positive!

Lynnc84 profile image
Lynnc84

I really liked it. I had a baby who was back to back though so it helped to relieve the back pain as well. It’s good because you can increase the strength as labour progresses.

Kempton profile image
Kempton in reply toLynnc84

Ouch! I've heard back to back is very painful so sounds like the TENS machine was really effective. Thanks for the reply!

in reply toLynnc84

My first was back to back how did you find labour ?

Lynnc84 profile image
Lynnc84 in reply to

Pretty painful. Ended up with forceps as she didn’t want to come out. But she’s fine and so am I - that’s always the main thing 🙂

in reply toLynnc84

Yeah I found it horrendous I had ventouse and a million stitches. But yeah you get over it, made my second baby’s birth feel like a breeze.

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