What is a tens machine?

Hi Girls Does anyone know what this is?

Hey Happyout, a TENS machine is made up of pads that you put on your back and it sends pulses through your muscles to ease the pain of contractions - it can also be used for back pain outside of pregnancy. A lot of people find it really useful in early labour, I think you can rent them from the hospitals and possibly boots as well.

Thanks Elliecat

Your public health nurse may also have one. Thats where I got mine. They are absolutely fantastic.

I used a TENS and it got me through the first two days of labour!! There are four pads which you stick to your back which are connected to a unit. It's a bit like slendertone. It works by sending electrical pulses through your body which then create natural pain relief. I would never have managed without it. I had backache labour as it turned out so the TENS really helped me alot. I have seen them for rent from Boots, Medicare, McCabes etc. There is a special one for labour so be sure you get the right one as there are different ones for sports injuries etc. Best of luck.

Mine got me through the first 12hrs, by which stage I was 3cm and baby was out less than 2hrs later. I bought mine from www.tens.co.uk was glad I did as I went into labour 4 weeks early and if you rent you only get it 2 or 3 weeks before! I got the mama tens, but they have a good few for hire or purchase.