What is a TENS Machine and How to use one in labour
Not sure what a TENS machine is and wondered if they work and how you use them in labour? This is the blog post for you!
A TENS machine is a handheld portable device that is connected to pads that are covered in gel which you place on certain points of your back. It has been used as a form of pain relief since the 1970s, so its been around for a a while!
TENS stands for:
Transcutaneous - means through the skin.
Electrical -electric pulses are delivered through electrodes placed on the skin.
Nerve Stimulation- by sending pulses through the tens machine it can help block pain signals so that the brain will receive fewer signals from the source of the pain such as your contractions/surges.
How Does it Work?
The TENS machine sends mild electrical pulses through the electrodes places on your back.
It helps to manage pain by changing the way you perceive pain via two ways.
First, is what's known as the "Gate control theory". When using the tens machine at the lower intense level it acts like a gate and only allows so much sensory information through and the buzzing sensation floods your brain so that it's concentrating on the sensation of the buzzing rather then any sensations or pain you might feel from your contractions/surges.
Second, is what's known as a "Noxious Inhibitory Control". When using a the tens machine at a higher intensity level it works by triggering your body to release endorphins to block pain signals. It does this by stimulating the body with another source of pain aka higher intense level of pulses.
Although there is limited studies/resources on the use of TENS machine during labour; a 2011 Cochrane Review along with controlled trials did indicate that using a TENS machine during labour does decrease pain and may increase maternal satisfaction - Dowswell et al. (2011) Cochrane Review and Meta-Analysis (Shahoei et al. (2017), Santana et al. (2016) Shaban et al. (2013).
Using a TENS machine in early labour can help stimulate your natural endorphins to release (mother natures natural form of pain relief!) and bank and store them for later when you need it the most! Endorphins can also help you to feel calm and in control.
One small study suggested it may help to shorten the length of labour and resulted in lower pain scores. The study does have limitations in that pain intensity is subjective and it was based on low risk birthing women and birthing people and excluded those classed as high risk and those with a previous history of using a TENS machine.
How Do I Use It in Labour?
It can take up to an hour for the body to respond to the tens machine; using it early when you feel ready can help to maximise the its benefits. You can start using a tens machine in early labour or when you feel like those contractions are getting a little bit more tense on a lower setting. You don’t have to wait until your at the hospital to or in active labour to start using it. There is no time limit on how long you can use them for and you can continue to use it all the way through labour, whether you are having a home birth or hospital birth . It can help to support you and may help your contractions feel more comfortable and less painful.
The pads are placed on certain points on your back and you can control the level of intensity via a portable remote control. You also have the option to boost the intensity level as your experience your contraction/surges. You may experience buzzing, prickling or tingling sensations from the use of the tens machine. Not all tens machines are the same and come in different levels of strength so it’s definitely worth researching into the different makes/models of tens machine available.
As they are portable you can move around and keep mobile during labour. You can use it alongside other forms of pain relief except water or heat. It doesn’t mean you can’t have a water birth or shower, you can remove the pads and re-attach them at any point for use of shower or birth pool.
You may be advised/recomended to remove the TENS machine if you hare having an epidural.
Other Benefits of using a TENS machine
Its portable so you can be mobile , move around and take it with you!
It is a non medical form of pain relief using your own natural endorphines!
You can control it!
You can stop and start it whenever you want.
Where do I get one from?
You can hire them out from lots of places such as:
Babycare Tens
The are just some to name a few and there are lots more places to hire from.You can even purchase your own TENS machine. Some hospitals do provide tens machine at the hospital and you would need to check whether your local trust have them and availability. You might like to use these during early labour to support you rather then wait until you are at the hospital if you are planning on giving birth in hospital so it’s worth considering hiring one.
I used a TENS machine during early labour and it really helped support me on my transfer to Nottingham City Hospital where I planned to give birth as it meant I could keep it on whilst I was in the car along with other hypnobirthing techniques and tools. Tens machines are designed to be portable it meant that I could be mobile and even took it with me on a walk to help get my contractions going and help bank those endorphines for later!
Clients I have supported have felt that using the TENS machine with lots of other tools and techniques such as breathing, essential oils, massage, birthing comb really helped to support them in labour and helped with pain relief and comfort.
A TENS machine is just one of many forms of pain relief/support you can use during labour and there are lots of other natural forms of pain relief you might like to try. Hypnobirthing can help to support you by informing you of all the options available to you and help to support you by teaching you lots of tools and techniques you can use during pregnancy and labour.
Source:
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7905652/
Updated July 2023.