Masters Medical's labour TENS unit has a plunger-type control – the harder you press, the stronger the stimulation felt. These machines are available for sale to hospitals or hire to prospective mums. Over the last 20 years women have been using TENS as a means of managing labour pain.
Benefits of using TENS in labour:
- TENS is a form of non-invasive pain relief
- TENS does not restrict your ability to move about in labour
- TENS can be applied at home during early labour
- Other pain relief options can still be used if TENS does not provide you with adequate pain relief
How is TENS used and placement of electrodes
Please note that it is essential that you are shown by a health professional how to use your TENS. The reason for this is that only a qualified health professional can instruct you properly in the use of TENS. You will be more likely to get a benefit from the TENS and less likely to experience any problems. Usually, your doctor or physiotherapist will instruct you.
Will TENS help my pain?
In order to manage your pain more effectively it is important to use TENS as early in labour as possible.
TENS is more effective if you use it in combination with other coping strategies such as relaxation, positioning and massage.
The TENS electrodes need to be positioned over the nerve pathways which transmit pain messages from the uterus and cervix during labour. It is usually best if you use larger TENS electrodes (they cover more spinal segments and you will get better stimulation).
The top pair of electrodes are placed either side of the spine at the level of the tenth thoracic and first lumbar spinal segments. This provides pain relief in the earlier stages of labour. The bottom pair of electrodes are placed over the fifth lumbar to fourth sacral spinal segments. This provides pain relief mainly in the later part of second stage.
This placement is also helpful for afterbirth pain and during breast feeding. During breast feeding, the hormone oxytocin is released to allow the breast to express milk. This is the same hormone that causes labour and when produced during breast feeding will also cause the womb to contract.
Once the electrodes are in position, turn the machine on using the intensity control. Slowly increase the intensity until you feel a tingling sensation under the electrodes it should feel strong but comfortable.
The intensity may need to be increased as labour progresses because your body gets used to the sensation of TENS. The intensity can be increased further during contractions by using the booster control on the TENS unit.
For more detailed information on how to use TENS in labour it is advisable to attend an education session with a physiotherapist or midwife and read the instruction booklet provided with the TENS unit.
