TENS Machine

[jaz]

Hi Guys,

Can anyone please tell me if they used or are thinking of using a TENS machine in hospital, I have heard it is great at easing the pain of contractions.

What did you think using it ? Was it comfortable ?

I am really scared of having an epidural & am thinking of every other possible for of pain releif !

Thanks & Baby Dust to all

Jaz
xoxoxo

[alicesmum]

hi jaz

for me the TENS machine was TOTALLY useless and a big waste of money. i had to get one beforehand and not knowing when you'll go into labour, i thought it best to get one 2-3 weeks b4 my due date, but as it was I went over. So there's $75 down the drain. i used it during early labour when the pain was very bearable anyway (more discomfrt than pain really; like period pain). I think the panedeine i took was more helpful then the TENS and then once i arrived at hospital i didn't use it at all. So all in all a big waste for me. I found the gas worked wonders, so much better and you can use it in the shower (can't do that with a TENS machine).

just using gas, shower, movement and lots of vocalising, I managed to avoid an epidural (which I was very pleased about because I had full control during pushing, needed no stitiches which amazed me, and could get straight up and shower afterwards.

that was my experience anyway. good luck with whatever you do.
rachel :p

[pickles]

I used Tens for my second labour. It worked really well - although I only laboured for 1 1/2 hours before he was born. I think that it would have been even more effective during my first labour which was longer and not so intense. This time around i used the tens for about 3/4 of the labour and the bath / gas for the last 30 mins or so. You can actually hire them from most womens health physios. Hey and if it does not work at least there was something up your sleeve.
pickles
DD 02/03
Ds 03/05

[JanetF]

Avoiding an epidural is a great aim! There are now 2 Australian studies showing that women who have epidurals have a 60% likelihood of having a caesarean as a result of it. There are many many ways to manage your labour without resorting to drugs which are dangerous to mothers and babies. The TENS machine has pretty mixed reports about it as above. Here are some other ways to manage your labour. Bear in mine that most women who birth without drugs are supported emotionally by a doula and partner as well as a known female careprovider ie a midwife with whom you have formed a relationship. So if you're birthing in a hospy, I really hope you have a doula. I hope you have a beautiful birth!

Natural pain relief in labour

http://www.babycentre.co.uk/refcap/546717.html



Pain relief and home birth (useful in any situation though)

http://www.homebirth.org.uk/pain.htm



Comfort measures for labour – the most complete list I’ve ever seen, a must read!

http://www.gentlebirth.org/archives/comfort.html



Water birth stories

http://www.homebirth.org.uk/water.htm#birthstories



“The importance of relaxing by Grantley ****-Read MD

http://www.naturalchildbirth.org/ma...id=263&Itemid=3

http://radmid.demon.co.uk
From MIDWIFERY MATTERS, Summer 2000, Issue No. 85
Pain in Labour - Is it Insufferable?
By Margaret Jowitt

"Ecstatic Birth - nature's hormonal blueprint for labour" Dr Sarah Buckley
http://www.womenofspirit.asn.au/docs/ecstaticbirth.doc

"Help - it hurts! ... get me the complementary therapies!" Andrea Robertson
http://www.acegraphics.com.au/articles/andrea21.html

"The Pain of Labour: A Feminist Issue" Andrea Robertson
http://www.acegraphics.com.au/articles/painlabour.html

"No gain without pain" Nicky Leap
http://www.acegraphics.com.au/articles/leap02.html


http://gentlebirth.org/Midwife/birthjoy.html

http://www.childbirthsolutions.com/...ssure/index.php