Tens Machine

[Bottom]

Hi all, I due to have my first baby in a few days and have got the tens machine, I just wanted to if what ypur views are as i have been told they can be a good help.

[rosyrussell]

I managed to deliver both my babies using just a tens machine and gas and air - I think that it did help quite a bit particularly with my first labour - it went on for 12 hours and it was definitely making the contractions more bearable - I discovered this when I had to turn it off for 20 mins when I arrived in hospital while they monitored the baby's heartbeat! My second child arrived considerably quicker, and so I think the tens was less effective as I had it on for a much shorter time. I think it works by distracting the pain receptors and gets your body to produce more endorphins to cope with it all. Good luck, and I hope all goes smoothly for you!!

[Bottom]

thanks so do I.

[acorn]

But, not to put a downer on things, dont just rely on the tens if your considering pain relief. It doesnt always work for everyone, and sometimes its all happening so fast you dont get time to set it to help.

[Bottom]

thanks acorn, i did already think of that. I only really want gas and air, but i am very open minded to all pain relief. as I dont no want to expect.

[Reddevil1]

The best advice I could give is to not expect anything and be prepared to try whatever you need. I was very lucky with my labour as it only lasted 3 � hours. I too had a tens but never got time to use it. I wanted a water birth and again did not get time. I actually did not have any pain relief but I think during the labour was so comforted by the midwife that I would have been happy to go with whatever they suggested. I wish you lots of luck everyone's experience is different but the fantastic reward you get at the end makes it all worthwhile.

[Goodsoulette]

It often depends on how your baby is lying. My first baby was back to back so my contractions were mainly in the lower back area. With the second delivery which was normal, I didnt need it as the baby was lying differently. I think it helps distract from the pain of the contraction. Good luck, I hope you have a wonderful experience but don't be disappointed if it doesnt go the way you imagined it. as long as you and your baby are safe thats all that matters

[lynneylou]

Hi there

I had my daughter 12 yrs ago and hired a TENS, I am sure it eased the back pains and I was lucky enough to have my water birth and no other pain relief!!!