TENS machine

[taimarie]

Does anyone know anything about TENS machines, or have experience with them? My friend used one with her labour (a 32 hour posterior-baby labour) and had very little pain or back labour... but i had never heard of them before. it seems they stimulate pressure points to increase natural endorphines? anyone?

[*GreenMama*]

I've used a tens machine for my lower back. There are usually 4, sometimes only 2 electrodes you stick to your back. You put them where you feel pain, so for me I put one on each sciatic dimple and one set on either my mid or upper back on top of muscles, not bones... There is a box that its connected to that controls 2 functions. Function 1 is intensity of the electricity, Function 2 (or 2 & 3) is the speed/type of pulse (much like choosing how fast and what type of rhythm you want your massage chair to do.) Ones used in hospitals are usually controlled by the physician. If you rent your own you get to control the dials. I like controlling the dials because I usually find that after a few minutes you feel like you want to raise the intensity.

My dad has one in the house because he's prescribed it by his chiropracter. My chiropracter has used it on me since I was like 15. I highly recommend it because it DOES help with back pain and would certainly not affect the baby. It certainly relaxes you, especially if you put a warm blanket (not wet or electric, but maybe just out of the dryer) on top.

Hopefully that helps, and YES I'm using it during labor. The tens unit has helped me over the years to not take the darn hydrocodone or ibuprofen, so I say let it help during labor too.

:)

[taimarie]

Thanks for the info- it is good to hear about how it helps for back pain cause that is getting to be an issue in this pregnancy... does the machine you use have an on/off on the handheld thing? my friend was told to start it right at the beginning of labour, and to turn it on for contractions (and off when they were over i think). she said she found this routine helped her focus as well as helping with the pain- i like the sound of that... now i have to find out how to get my hands on one- i live in a little town, but maybe i can rent one from a bigger centre and have it shipped. most people rent them don't they?

[*GreenMama*]

The one we have is a medical grade, the box is handheld, about the size of a beeper, and actually can clip to a belt. Not that I'll be wearing a belt during labor. I think most people who don't happen to have one for medical reasons rent them. I have NO idea how you'd go about it. Again, we only have one because it was prescribed by my dad's chiro because he became disabled due to a back injury and the unit really helps him. Luckily he's more than willing to share with me when my back gets really bad and for the upcomming labor...

Hmmm... didn't think of turning it on and off... that might be cool too, you're giving me good ideas.

[purpleheather79]

I have a TENS unit that I've been using because I have SPD. My chiro gave it to me although I don't use it often. It can also be used in labor.