The physio dept. at my local hospital offer TENS machines out on a free hire period of one month. I collected mine at 38 weeks and have it to cover up to 2-3weeks after my Due Date. Its worth asking if your physio's offer the same.....saves £50 or so that can be spent on nursery stuff! (There is a waiting list so had to register an interest early on, but they are worth it, and the physio will take you through how to work it, where to place it etc...)

Hi Charlotte & LHutch. I tried TENS during labour and I hated it. Was only using gas and air for pain relief, and as it makes you v tired the m/w suggest i try TENS to delay starting the gas and air. Know everyone is different but I really didnt get on with it. Felt like as well as the contractions someone was poking me in the back, and after a while even when I wasnt contracting the TENS had me twitching on the bed like a fish out of water! To be fair it wasnt all the machine, my OH fiddling with the settings really didnt help (men!!) and you might find its great. Just try it in your labour if you want to, if you dont like it just take it off.

Good luck. Em x

i tried to use this with my 2nd 10years ago and i just couldnt get the hang of it....but i think in 10yrs they would have improved dramatically.

im going to look into it again but doubt i will use as i think im more inclined to try a water birth this time round!!!

I have used the TENS machine and the jury is still out....You do have to start off with a lower conductivity then increase it as your contractions increase. The base pulse to it can start off feeling annoying/weird but you really do need to leave it on to get the most of it.

Will be using it as am now not allowed to use water for my planned birth, so will see how it goes!