My contractions started 38 hours prior to the birth of my baby, and were all concentrated within my lower back. I started using the Labour TENS 2 hours after onset and continued with a few short breaks until 4 hours before birth. All up I would have used the Labour TENS for about 26 hours, in conjunction with short bursts of heat therapy (hot pack and hot showers).

The TENS machine allowed me to breathe and move through contractions, and even sleep for short periods, despite the pain in my back throughout. I really liked the fact that I could set the TENS to a level where it helped with the pain, but still allowed me to feel the build up, peak and lessening of each contraction.

By the time I got to the birthing suite and was examined, I was 8cm dilated, which surprised me as I was still able to breathe through contractions. My doctor and midwives also commented at how well I was managing the pain given how far along I was. Although I couldn’t use the TENS at the end due to monitoring, I have no doubt that using it for so long meant I was able to carry through without further pain relief.

My obstetrician commented the next day that for a first baby, who was posterior and 4.055kg, he was amazed I did it without additional pain relief……

I honestly feel I owe most of that to the Labour TENS machine! Thank you, thank you, thank you!!

Holly, NSW