What is a TENS for labour?

What is a TENS machine?

TENS for labour, what is it? It’s fancy full name is Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation 💁🏼‍♀️. It provides pain relief in the form of electrical impulses sent through those 4 x sticky pads that you can see in the photo. A set either side of the spine just above the knicker line. Plus, a set either side of the spine just below the bra line. You’d be surprised some of the funky places we see these placed 🤨

You remain in control and set the level with a small handheld device. TENS machines designed for maternity use will have a ‘boost’ function that you press during a contraction, this sends more of a pulsey electrical impulse through the pads, returning to a background continuous electrical impulse level in between.

How does it work?

Blocking pain pathways

The electrical impulses flood your nervous system. It focuses on these electrical impulse sensations on your skin, reducing the deep muscular sensation of a contraction. It almost confuses your mind, making it focus on the skin rather than the contraction.

Endorphins

A TENS increases your endorphins which is your body’s natural pain relief. 

When should I put on my TENS machine for labour?

When should I use it?

The beauty of a TENS is that you can use it at home, on a maternity ward during an induction and right up to the birth of your baby. It is yours to use and there’s no negatives starting it too soon. In fact, it’s a positive to put it on sooner rather than later as it helps with the build of endorphins.

The only times you would be asked to remove it would be if you were going to be using water, having an epidural or going to theatre for a caesarean.

Can I use my TENS machine in pregnancy for back pain?

You can use a TENS machine for back pain or pelvic girdle pain as directed by your physiotherapist. If you are over 37 weeks and have back pain you can use a TENS without seeing a physio first.

Do I need a specific pregnancy TENS for labour?

Yes, a TENS that is specific for use in labour will have larger pads to cover a larger area on your back. Your TENS for labour will also have a boost button to be pressed during your contractions. An ordinary TENS gives a continuous electrical impulse only and doesn’t have the option for a boost of electrical activity during a contraction.

Should I buy or hire a TENS for labour?

You can hire these online or through pharmacies, or purchase one. You can hire or buy a TENS at BabyCare TENS* with a Babycare discount code ‘10BUMPTOBABY‘ giving you 10% off.

Can I use my TENS machine after birth?

A TENS machine can be used postnatally for after pains. Put it on your back as you would in labour. You can also use it for period pains after baby has been born and for any back pain. If you are using the TENS for backpain, make sure you are addressing the underlying cause too and see your GP or a physiotherapist. These area reasons that you may wish to initially buy a TENS machine rather than hiring.

To read a birth story where a mum-to-be used a TENS machine and found it helped during birth, head here to read Abby’s Positive Birth.

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