Using a TENS machine during birth

[monkeygirl39]

Have read plenty of information on what a TENS machine is and how it works, but can find anyone with positive/negitive stories/ideas about it. Was considering giving it a go for my first. Trying to go as drug free as possible. Please give me your thoughts. monkeygirl39 :)

[*Sal*]

I tried using TENS for about 5 minutes (3 contractions or so) with my first labour, but it didn't help me. I just remember it feeling like a hot, buzzing sensation on my lower back ie. no pain relief. I found the warm shower running on my back to be much better, and later on DH rubbed my back and I used gas.

Good on you for researching all your options, and I hope you get the birth you want!

[Teto]

Hired one, never got around to using it, too busy being in labour

[belinda1976]

I'm the same as Mia. By the time I got to the hospital I was 7cm dialated so a bit late for the TENS.

... but in saying that my girlfriend used one for her labour and said it helped but she did say that she didn't use it early enough.

[Duchessa]

I use one all the time for chronic severe backpain. In fact, I have it on right now. It works quite well for that, but not sure if it would manage to exclude the pain of contractions - if my back pain is very severe it doesn't completely mask it, but it does always help to a degree. I would definitely try it while in labour. Get it before you go in and get used to the sensation though, cos it isn't a pleasant sensation itself. It is just more pleasant than pain :D

[pickles]

I used it for my second labour. make sure you hire one that is especially for birth. It has a booster button that you use when you actualy have a contraction. As my labour was all of one and a half hours it was probably to intense to be too useful. I think if i had used it for my first ( 5hours ) it would have been fantastic.
Pickles
DD 02/03 5 hours water, aromatherapy and homeopathics. 7 pounds10
Ds 03/05 1.5 hours. Tens, water,aromatherapy and gas. 9 pounds

[ozzysmum]

a freind of mine had a VBAC baby through 12 hour labour using only a TENS machine and no gas or anything - she said it was a great help even though she felt her 2nd labour was easier than her 1st. i'll ask he more about it if you like (or finally convince her to get online and talk about it here!)

[looy]

Hi There!.
I used a Tens machine for the birth of my first baby last September. They are designed to "distract" your mind away from the pain centre, not to actually relieve it. I certainly found concentrating on "boosting" the pulse rate of the tens as each contraction started a good distraction for me and gave me something else to focus on. I used it until it was time to push and then the gas became my distraction. I suggest you hire one and have it there as another option for pain reduction.
Good luck!.
:)