A TENS machine, which stands for Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation, is a device that can be used as an alternative for medication; to effectively treat pain in the body. TENS are used worldwide for muscular pain, back pain, period pain and in recent years they are becoming increasingly popular for women to use in the early stages of labour and for some, right up until their baby is born.

Women are more frequently opting to use TENS in labour for it’s effectiveness at providing non-invasive, drug-free pain relief; with zero side effects reported to mum or baby. TENS machines give women empowerment and a huge sense of self-control, to work with their body and their birth.  “I found it so grounding to have a little bit of control with the TENS to manage the pain”- C. Chew MAMA&ICO. customer.

Labour TENS machines have been designed for easy use during labour; they are portable, lightweight and battery operated giving you the flexibility to use it anywhere. The top of the range devices (the Elle TENS that we hire out at MAMA&ICO.) have a screen that shows you the settings and controls for adjusting the intensity and various parameters.

Connected to the TENS machine itself, are lead wires that join to four electrode pads that adhere to your skin on your back via a high quality sticking gel which emit electrical impulses to reduce contraction pains.

The impulses feel like a tingling sensation that is similar to pins and needles, which reduce the bodies pain signals via the Gate Control Theory. You can read more on the Gate Control Theory and TENS here.

TENS also have the ability to also stimulate the production of endorphins, which are our body's natural painkillers!

WHAT IS TENS USED FOR?

TENS is becoming widely popular amongst birthing women, with ‘1 in 5 women using a TENS device during their labour’.

Many women choose TENS for their birth as it gives women another option of relief, particularly when labouring at home, and for the car ride to hospital.

HOW TO USE TENS

Always follow the specific instructions included with your TENS hire or purchase. TENS machines are small and lightweight, so you can use them while you're on the move. You can put it in your pocket, clip it to your belt, attach it to a lanyard or hold it in your hand. You can use TENS throughout the day for as long as you like, although it shouldn't be used while you're driving, or in the bath or shower.

USING TENS DURING PREGNANCY

TENS machines have been proven to be effective at reducing lower back and pelvic girdle pains experienced during pregnancy.

If you have approval by your midwife or Doctor (or allied health professional) you can use your TENS machine for these pains prior to 37 weeks gestation.

USING TENS PRIOR TO LABOUR

We advise that you test your TENS machine from 37 weeks gestation to ensure the machine is functioning correctly, and that you familiarise yourself with how to use the device.

You can practice using this on yourself, your birth partner or a friend. It is fine to use the electrodes that are supplied in your pack and then reuse these for labour, as they can be reused up to 20-30 times!

USING TENS IN LABOUR

You can use TENS from the very beginning of your labour, when you’re getting regular contractions or backache. It is believed that the longer the device is insitu, the more effective it will be at reducing pain and creating endorphins.

TENS is most likely to be effective in early labour though you may still need other forms of pain relief as your labour progresses. TENS therapy can be stopped at any time during your labour, and does not have any residual effects. For example, you could stop it if you wanted to get into the bath or remove the electrodes to have a back massage. You can then place your electrodes and TENS back on.

USING TENS IN THE POSTPARTUM PERIOD

Some mums experience horrible after birth pains, so reuse your birth electrodes and place your pads over your uterus.

Having a TENS machine on hand during your labour gives you choices and control during your labour. Consider putting a Labour TENS device in your pre-birthing kit.

For a vast majority of women, their birth preference (and guidance from midwives and obstetricians) is to labour at home where they are most comfortable and at ease.

Sometimes, if a mother is in very early labour; they may present to the birth suite only to be told to go home and return once they are in active labour (when your contractions are 2-3 minutes apart, and lasting 30-60 seconds). This can be disheartening, frustrating, and a down right pain when you have driven 30+ minutes to get to hospital.

Research tells us that low-risk women who spend much of their time labouring at home require fewer birth interventions and untoward maternal outcomes.

Oxytocin (the love hormone and the hormone that is responsible for bringing on labour contractions) is known to flourish when a woman feels safe, relaxed and loved. Oxytocin levels are higher in your safe haven of your own space, and can be disrupted when you are in a 'sterile' hospital setting. This is why it is common for your contractions to slow down when at hospital, not in established labour.

With this knowledge, we believe it is imperative for women to have choices when they go into spontaneous labour at home.

Have a think about the modes of pain relief that you would use, or have access to in your house?

I can help you name a few;

- Panadol or Panadiene/Forte 

- A heat pack

- The shower or bath (bath if your waters have not broken)

Once you have utilised the above, you are not left with too many options.

This is where a TENS machine comes in! 

Using a TENS can help make this time much more comfortable, and it will prolong your time at home.

Research

In a randomised trial 'Transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS) reduces pain and postpones the need for pharmacological analgesia during labour: a randomised trial', published in 2015 concludes that;

'The use of TENS at the beginning of the active phase of labour produces a significant decrease in pain.

This study showed that the average time until the participants using a TENS machine requested further analgesia was delayed, compared to the group without a TENS machine'.

Advantages of a TENS machine can be found here.

Mainly, by a mechanism known as The Gate Control Theory (GCT)- read more here.

Other than the GCT, TENS is also believed to aid women in labour by:

🌸 Acting as a distraction technique; giving your mind and body something to focus on. Hundreds of women report feeling as though a TENS gave them some control over their labour, a tool to work with, letting us aid our bodies to further regulate our breathing, in turn reducing anxiety - leading to more positive birth experiences.

🌸The TENS pulses release our body’s natural pain relieving hormones, endorphins.

Whilst the exact method of its use and effectiveness as a means of natural pain relief in labour is not well known or documented in studies, hundreds of thousands of users have reported that TENS in labour works wonders and many would use it for consecutive briths.

If you need evidence that it works, check our our reviews page - you will be sold!

HOW TO USE A TENS MACHINE IN LABOUR

At MAMA&ICO. we use the worldwide award-winning Elle TENS range designed for labour use (Elle TENS, Elle TENS 2 & Elle TENS Plus).  When using one of our TENS machines for labour, there are some general steps to follow:

       ★ Make sure you familiarise and practice using the TENS machine prior to labour, thoroughly read the instructions provided with the machine. 

★ At the first sign of labour, start using your TENS to maximise it’s usage and to give your body the chance to build up those pain fighting endorphins.

★ Attach the electrodes to your mid and lower back; your instruction manual gives you imagery and in-depth details of the exact placement. It is best to have a birth partner, midwife etc. to attach these for you.

★ Attach the electrodes to the lead wires and then into the top of the TENS.

★ Switch the machine on, ensure your TENS is in 'Birth' mode and start with the controls at the lowest setting. Turn them up gradually as your contractions get stronger.

★ Use the boost button at the peak of each contraction. The boost function results in a more intense, wave-like tingling or buzzing sensation.

★ The electrode pads are re-usable and can easily be removed and reattached.  

★ TENS will not completely take away your pain, and it’s effectiveness varies for each individual. TENS can be safely used in conjunction with many other forms of labour medication, but you will be guided by your health professional if required. 

It is best to use your TENS machine at the beginning of your labour.
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When you feel dull, period like pains in your lower abdomen, or lower back - pop it on. There is no such thing as wearing it too early. If your contractions stop, you can take it off and store it away for when they decide to come back.
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You should aim to wear the TENS for AT LEAST 30 minutes to allow it to be more effective.
So the earlier you have it on, the better experience you may have, it will help you feel more in control and relaxed, setting you up for a positive mindset and birth.
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TENS - the perfect labour tool to use at home until it is time to make the dreaded car ride to hospital. TENS is a damn life savour for that car trip too, I'm sure loads of mamas can relate to that 🙋🏼‍♀️

The Elle TENS unit must only be used according to its standard operating instructions which are supplied with your hire package or can be viewed below:

Instruction Manuals

★    Elle TENS Instruction Manual

★    Elle TENS 2 Instruction Manual

★    Elle TENS Plus Instruction Manual

or under TENS Hire -> Select the TENS Model that you have hired -> Scroll to the bottom of the description tab and you will be able to click a link to a printable instruction manual.

It can be used with other methods of pain relief but as it is battery operated it can not be used in water. If you want to use the bath or shower in labour, you can take the TENS machine off and put it back on after, once you are completely dry.

If you opt for an epidural, you will no longer need to use your TENS Machine as the epidural should completely remove all pain experienced.

You can extend your TENS hire here:

Hire Extension – MAMA AND I CO.

The hire extension is for 4 weeks. We will adjust your booking when you place an order online.

You will receive an email reminder one week prior to when your device is due back, so that you don’t forget. You will not receive a notification that we have received your TENS - no news is good news, you will only hear from us if we do not receive it past your hire date.

Once you have finished with your TENS, place contents as listed on your hire card, into the prepaid return satchel. Feel free to dispose of used electrodes or just pop everything back in the draw string pouch and we can sort it out on return. Don't forget to keep your free milk cooler bag!

✦ Your TENS Hire package will come with a return label that is adhered to a postage satchel for ease of return. Please lodge your return at an Australia Postal outlet (not via a red postal box) and keep your lodgement receipt in case of any issues.

✦ If for any reason you are unable to return the TENS unit by the last day of the hire period you can EXTEND YOUR HIRE HERE.

As stated in our TENS Hire Agreement and Refund Policy we cannot provide any form of refund if the TENS machine is not used in labour.