Quick answer: The Elle TENS 2 is Australia's most recommended hire device for labour, and the Elle TENS Plus is the best option if you are buying. Both are purpose-built obstetric TENS machines backed by over 30 years of Body Clock Healthcare expertise, and in Australia certified under ARTG number 225921. Recommended by midwives globally, they are available exclusively from Elle TENS, Australia's only official hire and purchase source.
What makes a TENS machine right for labour?
Not all TENS machines are designed for childbirth. A standard unit sold for physiotherapy or sports recovery lacks the features that make a real difference during labour. An obstetric TENS machine needs a boost button for peak contractions, pre-set labour programs, a contraction timer, purpose-designed 40x100mm maternity electrodes sized for the lower back, and a neck strap for freedom of movement. The Elle TENS 2 and Elle TENS Plus have all of these. Generic devices do not.
Elle TENS 2 or Elle TENS Plus: which is right for you?
The Elle TENS Plus came first, as a 3-in-1 device covering labour, pain relief, and pelvic floor recovery. After seeing that mums hiring it for birth never used the pelvic floor mode during the hire period, we developed the Elle TENS 2 as a dedicated labour hire device. The Plus is the buy-and-keep option. The 2 is what we hire.
The pelvic floor mode on the Elle TENS Plus is recommended from approximately 12 weeks after vaginal delivery, making it genuinely valuable beyond birth. If you are planning more than one pregnancy, or want a device for postnatal recovery, the Plus is worth buying. For a single hire, the Elle TENS 2 is the right tool.
| Elle TENS 2 | Elle TENS Plus | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $250 | $259 |
| Labour mode + Opti-Max boost | ✓ | ✓ |
| Contraction timer | ✓ | ✓ |
| Pelvic floor mode (from 12 weeks post birth) | — | ✓ |
| Available to hire | ✓ | — |
| Available to purchase | ✓ | ✓ |
| Best for | Labour hire or single birth | Multiple pregnancies, postnatal recovery |
Why do midwives recommend Elle TENS?
Elle TENS devices are made by Body Clock Healthcare, who invented the world's first obstetric TENS machine in the early 1990s. After more than 30 years and over one million mums globally, those devices are stocked by Boots, Mothercare and Lloyds in the UK and certified under ARTG number 225921 in Australia. In the 2026 Mum Central Awards, Elle TENS won Bronze in both Best Health Product and Best Pregnancy Product, voted by Australian mums.
How does Elle TENS compare to other options?
| Option | What to know |
|---|---|
| Elle TENS 2 or Plus | Purpose-built obstetric devices. 30 years Body Clock heritage. ARTG 225921. Certified electrodes included. Only available from Elle TENS. |
| Generic pharmacy TENS | Designed for muscle and sports pain. No obstetric boost mode, no labour program, wrong electrode size. Will do something, but not what labour needs. |
| Wireless or app-based TENS | Some include a labour mode. Check whether the device is obstetric certified and whether genuine electrodes are supplied. |
| Third-party hire | Devices often sourced from Facebook Marketplace. Pre-used, no testing, no warranty. Electrodes frequently not designed for Body Clock devices. |
Health insurance rebates
Both hire and purchase through Elle TENS attract rebates from most Australian private health funds. We are recognised by more than 20 funds and are Australia's largest TENS supplier for health rebate claims. After a rebate, buying an Elle TENS Plus often costs less than a single hire. See our health insurance rebate page for current rebate amounts by fund.
To hire the Elle TENS 2, visit our Elle TENS 2 hire page and choose your hire period.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best TENS machine for labour in Australia?
The Elle TENS 2 for hire and the Elle TENS Plus for purchase. Both are obstetric-grade devices from Body Clock Healthcare, with over 30 years of clinical development and certified under ARTG number 225921. They are the only TENS machines in Australia specifically engineered for labour, recommended by midwives globally.
Why is the Elle TENS 2 the hire device rather than the Plus?
The Elle TENS Plus includes a pelvic floor mode recommended from 12 weeks after vaginal delivery. During a labour hire period, that feature would not be used. The Elle TENS 2 was developed specifically as a labour hire device to avoid that waste, and represents a refinement of the original Elle TENS for exactly this purpose.
Can I use a regular TENS machine for labour?
A generic TENS machine will deliver electrical pulses, but it is not designed for obstetric use. It lacks a labour boost mode, proper programmes, and the 40x100mm electrode size needed to target the correct nerve pathways for contraction pain. An obstetric device like the Elle TENS 2 is purpose-built for this specific job.
When should I order my TENS machine?
We recommend ordering by 34 to 36 weeks. This gives you time to receive the device, test it at home, practise electrode placement with your birth partner, and pack it in your labour bag without any last-minute stress. Priority delivery is available if you need it sooner.
Does private health insurance cover a TENS machine in Australia?
Yes, most Australian private health funds offer rebates on TENS machines, and at Elle TENS those rebates apply to both hire and purchase. We are recognised by more than 20 funds. Your claim invoice is sent automatically with your order.
Is TENS safe for my baby during labour?
Yes. TENS is a non-invasive, drug-free option widely considered safe for labour. Electrodes are placed on the lower back only, not near the abdomen. Elle TENS devices have been used by over one million mums globally and are certified under ARTG number 225921.
Related pages
- Why should I hire directly from Elle TENS?
- Can I get a health insurance rebate on a TENS machine?
- What do midwives say about Elle TENS?
