Let's Talk TENS: pain relief at the touch of a button

If you’re preparing for birth and exploring pain relief options, you may have heard about the TENS machine. In this post, midwife Hannah and doula Chloe break down what TENS is and how to use it during labour.

The Elle Tens from Babycare TENS

TENS is a highly effective, non-pharmaceutical (drug free) form of pain relief, with no unpleasant side effects for mum or baby. You are in control of the strength of the impulses and you increase these as your contractions become more intense.

Here is the science-y bit: TENS stands for Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation. In a nutshell, tiny electrical impulses are passed through the skin (via electrodes stuck on different parts of the body - during labour, they are stuck on your back) and received by nerves. This boosts the production of the body’s morphine-like natural painkiller, endorphins, and blocks pain signals to the brain.

Endorphins are released naturally during physiological (non-medicalised) labour. They are produced by the body's parasympathetic nervous system - your 'relaxation response'. Endorphins help you manage the sensations of the contractions and also 'zone you out', so you're more able to focus inwards and let your body do what it needs to do. These are cumulative and build up over time - the more, the merrier!

Our top five tips

1. Read the instruction leaflet with your birth partner before labour to make sure you both know exactly how to use it - nobody wants to faff around with an instruction manual during contractions. You can also practise using the TENS machine from 37 weeks pregnancy.

2. Buy a spare set of electrodes and spare batteries.

3. Put the TENS machine on as soon as you feel those early contractions rather than waiting for them to intensify - the sooner you start using the machine, the more effective it will be and the more lovely endorphins will be flowing through your body.

4. If you are having an induction of labour, use the TENS machine from the start.

5. Switch off the power before removing the pads, and remember to remove the TENS machine if you’re getting in the shower/bath/pool.

The pros

• You can be mobile as normal and don’t need to remove the TENS machine to sleep, walk, eat, travel to your place of birth, go to the loo, or get into any birthing position you fancy.

• No side effects or increased risk of intervention or complication.

• The effects do not cross the placenta or affect your baby.

• Works well in combination with hypnobirthing techniques.

• Can be combined with other forms of pain relief e.g. gas and air in a hospital or home birth.

• Auto-controlled, simple to operate and can be used independently at home.

• Can also be used postnatally for after pains, period cramps and general aches and pains.

The cons (the aren't many!)

• You can't use it in the water.

• There is a cost involved however this is significantly lower if you choose to hire the machine rather than buying one. Think about whether you are likely to use it after birth or are planning more children / have friends or relatives who would also use the machine.

  
  

Hannah and Chloe are big fans of TENS machines, having both personally used them and loved them, and this is one of the many forms of pain relief we talk about during The Antenatal Course. All our clients and readers of this post can benefit from a 10% discount using the code 10HELLOBABY at www.babycaretens.com