I get quite claustrophobic in hospital and am hoping to labour at home for as long as I'm able and it's safe to do so, before heading to my hospital.

I'm looking into pain relief and like the idea of a TENS machine. Has anyone used one and if so did you feel it was beneficial? How many weeks were you when you hired one?

Any other tips/advice?

Yep, I used it for both labours and found it really helpful There's been a few threads I think, maybe do a search for more info but

With Jasper - I laboured at home for 3 days before going to the hospital (checked in at 4cms). I had the TENS machine on constantly while I was at home, and I found it great to distract myself with the buzz. I didn't feel any 'pain' after he turned the right way (was posterior to start with) - but I don't know whether that's the TENS or just the way I labour. I took it off just before I had my shower at the hospital and the epidural.

With Jovie - labour was much quicker this time, so I didn't spend a long time on it, but it was the only pain relief I had this time. (I put it on after my waters broke, checked into hospital at 8cms, she was born about 45 mins later - so all up maybe 2.5 hours of it). I specifically remember holding onto DH's hand with my right hand, TENS machine in my left hand while transitioning, LOL. It did help me again to distract and focus on the buzz sensation - when I pressed for it to amp up, I'd used it as a reminder to breathe slow and deep, which helped me alot. I also kept it on while birthing the placenta, just in case I needed it (didn't really).

I highly recommend it I hired mine from mamatens.com.au - they sent it out when I was 37 weeks

I really liked the idea of being able to get up and walk if I needed to, or you could lie down into it, it can clip onto you with the belt provided, or you can hold it in your hand.

There's levels of buzzing (for lack of the right term) - I never got past step 2 (or A2, whatever it is), didn't need it to go any higher/stronger but it was good to know that it did go higher!

Remember to put it on as soon as you feel the first contraction

let me know if you want any other info on it

Thnaks Tracey, sounds like you had a great experience with it.

Just bumping this up - surely others have used a TENS machine?

I used a TENS in both labours and loved it.

First labour - I used it up until I had an epidural. I chose to have the epidural because my labour was progressing slowly and Will was at risk of distress due to heavy meconium staining so they started syntocinon and I was flat on my back for monitoring. Otherwise I think I would have got through labour with just the TENS.

Second labour.

I put TENS on when contractions were starting to get hard - ie when I had to stop and concentrate on them. I didn't use it in prelabour/early labour. All up I had it on for 8 hours or so.

I used it all the way through including when pushing. I had no other pain relief (no gas or anthing). I had thought I'd like to use the bath or shower but I couldn't take the TENS off because it was working so well!!

I found it useful for a few reasons -

1. early on it blocked the pain. The buzzing feeling was enough to 'cover up' the pain.

2. it gave me something to concentrate on. Pushing the button was something to focus my energy on and encourage me to remain calm through each contraction. Whenever I found myself getting overwhelmed I focused on the sensation, centred myself and then used my other techniques (vocalising/hip swaying/stomping).


It's suggested to put it on early because it helps to release your endorphins which act as natural pain killers/relaxants. So, you might not be needing it to block the pain but it is still good to put it on early.

I seriously credit the TENS for getting me through without pain killers. It was also good to use for the afterbirth pains that first night.

Have a search for TENS in te whole preg/birth section - I know I have posted my first experience a few times so there are a few other threads that might help.

I used a TENS machine with my 2nd pregnancy and it was a godsend! I had planned to hire one during my first pregnancy but it was just one of those things I never got around to doing.

I had it on for about 6.5 hours and I definitely found it beneficial. The TENS machine didn't eliminate the pain but it did take the edge off of it and gave me something else to focus on whilst having the contraction. I only took it off to jump in the shower at home and when I got to the hospital and the spa was filled.

I hired mine at 37wks and bubs ended up arriving at 40+2. I would definitely recommend it if you are wanting to labour at home for as long as possible.

Thanks for this info, I think I will look at hiring one for my labour.

I used a TENS machine with my second labour and loved it.

I had wanted to use one with my first labour but was something I didn't get around to.

I put the TENS on when contractions were about 5min apart but I could still talk through them. I felt a bit funny putting it on at that stage but the midwife suggested it and they are meant to work better if you get them on early.

I used it from then right through until the pushing stage. My labour basically went from 3pm to 6.30pm and to be honest the TENS worked extremely well right up until the last 10min of contractions (transition). I used it in conjunction with swaying and breathing and I got through a majority of the labour relatively easily. Transition was bloody hard but I did still use the TENS to give me something to take my mind of the need to push when I wasn't allowed to yet.

Pushing was another story. I started to feel a little out of control at the start of the pushing and found the TENS distracted me from the job of pushing. So I stopped using it at that time - although it was still on the pulsing phase - I just didn't use the boost.

I only used the TENS for pain relief which was my aim for my second birth.

So overall I would highly recommend it.

I could basically repeat Scasey's story here word for word!!!

I LOVED my TENS!

I put mine on when I had my first painful contraction about 1am and Jamie was born at 5.20am. From about 1.30am they were coming every 3 mins and I loved having the ability to turn it up a few steps every few contractions. It was such a comfort having it there.

Active labour was about 3 hours and it worked like a dream for all of it (including transition, not that I knew it was transition!!). It completely took the edge off especially the beginning and end of each contraction so really I only had to deal with the middle 30 seconds or so. I was also standing and swaying for each contraction and hubby was counting from 1-60 (or so) for each which was great - I only had to get to 30 and the pain would start to lesson.

I also turned it off for the pushing stage but I didn't need it then as the pain was completely different and the desire to push overwhelming anything else anyway.

Get one and use it!!!!

I used one for the first ten hours of my labour until I had an epidural.. it was fairly effective and I liked being able to control the boost function when I had a contraction

I would highly recommend one as they aren't super expensive to hire and they don't rule out any other form of pain relief (except for the shower/bath where you need to take it off and put it on again)

Just bumping this thread, and hoping for some more stories

Best thing I ever did!!! Wished I had hired one for my first labour!

Love reading this - Ive hired one, have had it here waiting patiently! I tried it out and it made my back feel great, I am so excited to use it!

Cannot believe I hadn't responded to this thread earlier.

I LOVED my TENS during labour with Odin...we really bonded y'know? Whenever I felt a contraction coming on I would turn it up and the buzz really helped.

I had it on for most of my labour before we went to the birth centre - when it was 3 in 10 minutes - and kept it on till I got into the bath - didn't like the bath as much as the TENS

I loan it out to friends these days, anyone who mentions they might like to try it gets to borrow it for their labour. Most say they forget to use it I won't forget