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What is a TENS Machine and how it helps with the pain of birth

Pain in labour is one of the ultimate fears' women have during pregnancy. There are a few different pain relief options available during labour and the TENS is a great natural pain relief option with little or no side effects.

What is a TENS

A TENS Machine is a Trans-cutaneous electrical nerve stimulation device which can be used to help a woman cope with the pain of labour.

It consists of two electrodes which are stuck to a woman's back with sticky pads and controlled by a battery operated handheld machine. 


How does it work?

Sticky pads are placed on a woman's back which produce a current which stimulates the user's nerves which disrupts the pain signals to the brain and helps to distract a woman from the pain of her contractions. The stimulation has also been reported to help release endorphins in some women. 

How is it used?

When a woman first feels that she is in early labour she sticks the pads into place. She uses the hand control battery device to control the level of stimulation administered through the electrodes. The woman usually starts the sensations out lightly and increases the intensity alongside the intensity of her contractions in labour.


Did we use one? What did we think?

Freya used one with all three of her babies. From late pregnancy (after 36 weeks) it can be used to alleviate discomfort and cramping and it was good to get to know the machine – both the sensation, how to get it out of the box, set it up and how to use it - prior to being in early and active labour. Then with three inductions, the TENS was the only thing I felt I could control, and I loved to dial it up for each contraction and then down to rest in between. I used it in conjunction with Lamaze labour skills, including using gravity, with lots of time on the ball, big circles on the ball, lunges and more.


What are the benefits?

- The benefits of the TENS machine is that you can feel that you have some sort of control during labour. 

- It is drug free and a pain relief option

- It does not hurt you or your baby

- It may be enough to help you avoid other interventions (which may have other consequences to labour)

- You can move around during your labour

- You can administer the intensity yourself and can use at home and in hospital

- It can be used with some other pain relief options such as Entonox or pethidine/diamorphine (but never with

water or with an epidural – you would need to stop using the TENS if you had an epidural).

- Ella TENS Machine 2 & Plus models have an inbuilt contraction timer 


What are the risks of using a TENs machine?

Most people can use a TENS machine safely with little to no risk, but it is always best to ask your doctor about your own medical circumstances.  Generally, a risk is user error, i.e. The machine is incorrectly set up or turned up too high which has been known to cause an electrode burn or skin irritation, but this is rare. 


A Tens Machine should not be used if?

- A TENS machine should never be used in water.

- A TENS machine should not be used before 37 weeks

- A TENS Machine should not be used if you have epilepsy

- A TENS Machine should not be used if you have a pacemaker or an implanted electrical device in your body. 


Can it be used after childbirth?

Ella TENS Machine can be used after you have a baby as a Pelvic Floor Stimulator.

One in three women suffers from some form of incontinence during her life. It can occur at any time, most commonly after childbirth.


The SensaTONE designed for use by women of all ages to help strengthen pelvic floor muscles and to treat incontinence. Like all other muscles in your body, the more you stimulate them, the stronger they become.


Always talk to your Health care provider if the TENS Machine is the right option for you.


You can buy yours here.


To learn more about Birth book into Parents You've Got This Birth Masterclass



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