One of the fun things about childbirth is playing with the toys you can get for pain relief. Mines a TENS machine; that’s Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation, as recommended by midwives… (see my story ‘Charged’ on the home page). You can hire the machine online direct from Tens-Hire.co.uk which works out a little cheaper than ordering through a retailer such as Mothercare. I’ve heard mixed reports from different women about how useful this is for helping deal with contractions, but if there’s even a slight chance of some relief, it’s got to be worth a go. Anyone tried this?
2 Comments
Hey Claire
I had a TENS machine for Daniel - When your in full labour it doesn’t feel like you conneccted to the national grid but tingles - strong or not depends on the stage of the contraction! Didn’t think the TENS machine did too much (Had gas and air too) until I had Katie! Only had gas and air with Katie and my god it was bad! I asked for an epidural 3 times (which I did not get!) Whether it was just a different labour (Boy vs Girl)or the TENS machine I’m not sure but it didn’t hurt quite as much with Daniel - although sorry to say still hurt like hell!
Hope your feeling well and you don’t have to wait too long now!
Love Lindsay, Mike, Daniel and Katie xxxx
Just for the record I have to say I found the TENS machine invaluable! Especially at the early stages when the brain is adapting to the shock of the pain contractions bring. I found that my lower back was the exact area in which I needed some stimulus and relief. The TENS hit the spot and turning up the current offered a massaging effect which helped me to ‘work with the pain’. I highly recommend TENS!