What is a TENS machine?

Transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation or TENS for short is an effective method of pain relief involving the use of a mild electrical current. Users attach Electrode pads to the affected part of the body and then switch on the TENS Machine.

The TENS Machine passes small electrical impulses to the affected area of your body, this is where the user feels a tingling sensation similar to pins and needles. These tingling sensations which are the electrical impulses reduce the pain signals going to the bodies spinal cord and brain, which help to relieve pain and relax muscles. They also stimulate the production of endorphins, which are the 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 when a heat pack and Panadol just don’t quite cut it!

 

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.

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