[matt1972]

Just wondering because most of the information online is provided by manufacturers.

[imamumto3]

the only thing that I didnt think of was that I had to either wear a top & bottom, a hospital gown or just a top because once the pads are attached to your DWs back the wires wouldnt reach under a nightie or dress. At home I wore a top & pants & the hospital put me in a gown when I got there so it didnt matter anyway.

Also, if your DW wants to get in the bath or shower you have to take the tens off & then replace it.

Other than that I loved it. I had 2 short active labours (45mins & 30 mins) and when it got to the really painful, just before delivery stage I kind of forgot I had it on (probably because I was high on gas!) & just left it on the boost function constantly. It was only about 15 mins after delivery that I realised that my back was still buzzing & then I turned it off!

[BearBait]

They are a good distraction. I still dont believe anything is going to blot out the fierce labour pains, but the TENS gives you something else to focus on momentarily.

However, train your birthing partner exactly how to use it and get it set up, do some drills before the big day so that it actually gets on you. So many of my friends have taken it to the hospital then not used the damn thing b/c they were too...distracted (? is that the right word ha)...during labour pains.

[imamumto3]

also, start using it early in labour, then you get the hang of it before the really strong contractions start. You need to boost it right at the start of the contraction & let it go for the entire contraction to maximise its benefit

[jeska~and~her~se...]

For me, I found the process of taking it off (for a shower, to get in the bath) quite painful. I've since been told that it shouldn't hurt, and that maybe my skin was super-sensitive because I was in labour. Either way, I was yowling in pain when the sticky pads were taken off, and it made me less keen to put them back on after.

Having said that, there is so much pain associated with labour anyway, that maybe this shouldn't be considered important. In all other ways it was easy to use. I didn't find it very effective, though.

Good luck!

[Mrscoolcoolpants]

OP I loved loved loved loved it!

Had a machine for all 3 labours and cannot rate them highly enough. a good idea though is to test how to set it up before the labour as I tested mine on DH each time and he loved it!

Only downside if I can name one is if your DW wants to birth a tub or have a warm shower you have to unplug it. Pretty easy though as you can leave the patches on and just unplug the cords and machine. The warm water replaces the nice feeling of the machine anyway so not really a negative there
Good luck

[melaine]

For me, I found the process of taking it off (for a shower, to get in the bath) quite painful. I've since been told that it shouldn't hurt, and that maybe my skin was super-sensitive because I was in labour. Either way, I was yowling in pain when the sticky pads were taken off, and it made me less keen to put them back on after.

Having said that, there is so much pain associated with labour anyway, that maybe this shouldn't be considered important. In all other ways it was easy to use. I didn't find it very effective, though.

Good luck!

You shouldn't need to take the pads off to shower or bath. They can be left on and then blotted dry - obviously just make sure it's unplugged.

I loved my TENS in both labours. It helped me so much I refused to turn it off to get in the shower or bath!

Take the time to get to know how to use it though. Turn it up till the point before it's gets uncomfortable then hit that boost button during contractions. FOr me the TENS sensation helped, but so did the focus point of having that button to push.

[aliro]

the only problem I had was my sticky pads kept coming off or sliding around so had to keep reattaching them. We ended up finding some bandage tape or bandaids or something to keep them stuck down. Other than that, I loved it and actually hopped out of the shower to put the TENS back on as I found it helped better than the shower.

[Phoenix Blue]

I used a TENS in both my previous labours, and have my next machine ready to go for this one.

The only con for me was perhaps it was too effective for my 2nd labour! The pain never got to the same level it did with my first and therefore I didn't get to the hospital in time and DS2 was born at home on the floor.

I think they're great

[Honey13]

I tried it before labour and loved it. I had pretty severe back labour and it made the pain so much worse I was yelling at DH to get the *insert colourful language* thing off me. I never want to see a TENS machine again.