TENS Machine

[Curious79]

I am 30 weeks pregnant and starting to worry a bit about the birth!!! I am having a water birth but am thinking about hiring a TENS machine to use at home to cope with the pain before I go into hospital. What would people recommend?? also, has anyone here had a water birth?? Would they reccomend it?
Thanks :o)

[redcrx]

I heard a lot of good things about TENS machines but only really got to use mine for about an hour as i was induced by breaking of waters so labour was pretty fast and intense straight away.
The earlier you put it on the better as it takes a while to build up the release of endorphins ive been told.
For the same induction reason i wasnt allowed a water birth but i was allowed to labour in a bath on the delivery suite for a few hours.
Baths have always relaxed me and i really think it helped in my own labour. I went from 2cms to 7cms in just 4 hours whilst sitting in the bath and i could get quite comfy.
Sadly for me i wasnt allowed to deliver in the water but if its as relaxing as id experienced to 7cms then id cirtainly have it on my next birth plan

[mifta]

Hi there!

I used a TENS machine with my first delivery. I had it on for about five hours. I feel it helped me through the early stages as it gave me something to focus on, giving the boost button a press on contractions made me feel like I had control over my labour. In the last stage of labour I asked for it to be removed as it was bothering me and by that point I preferred the gas and air, which is fantastic by the way, and was the only form of pain relief I had with my second child! I would definately recommend a TENS machine as it poses no threat to the baby and you can just take it off if you don't like it.
I have no experience of a water birth but my advice would be to listen to your midwife as they will promote your wishes as much as possible as long as you and your baby are ok.

Best of luck with everything.

[Pippa68]

I tried a TENS machine during my first labour and all it did was irritate me! I later heard that these are better used right at the start of labour and more helpful for longer labours (mine was very quick and intense). It is also a good idea to hire/borrow one for practice before you go into laboour as they take some getting used to.

I also loved the idea of a water birth ~ but found it did nothing for me either (how difficult am I? lol) I found I wanted to be active & walk around whilst in labour so sitting in water wasn't my thing...

I guess what I am trying to say is keep an open mind ~ what works for some doesn't work for all, and don't despair if it doesn't help you as there is always going to be something else that does :o)

[jacobsmummy]

I used a TENS machine at the beggining of my labour and while it doesnt take the pain away, it does help in that u feel u at least have some control, i also found gas and air wonderful and if my son hadnt turned back to back halfway through labour i wouldve been fine on just the gas and air and had the water birth id so hoped for.

i did spend some time in the pool which really is calming and lovely but unfortunatly i had to be transferred and ended up having an epidural which i really hadnt wanted - but it was a 38 hour labour so i know they only did what was best for me - fingers crossed my next one will be a water birth!

good luck :-)
xxx