Elle TENS Machines for Pregnancy & Labour
Pain relief when you need it most, the Elle TENS range is Australia’s ultimate Labour TENS.
Reduces the pain you feel in labour
Promotes your body’s natural pain relieving hormones (endorphins)
Helps you to feel in control of your labour and your pain
Has the all-important boost button to get you through each and every Contraction
So how does it do all this? Let’s see if we can answer all your questions right here and now.
This learn section provides you with a quick overview of the key benefits and features of the Elle TENS range and what makes it different from other Labour TENS on the market.
Skip through to the features and benefits of our Elle TENS range to learn more about what it can do for you during your labour and beyond.
Our award winning Elle TENS range puts you in control, allowing you to manage your labour pain and stay at home for longer during the early stages of your labour. Mums who are planning a home birth – this is also for you, use it all the way through your labour along with your other labour tools.
All settings are pre-set so you can focus on you and your baby, the attached neck cord allows you to move around freely and make the most of your labour positions.
The unique integrated Boost button (your new best friend!) supports you with each contraction wave, you can also give your birthing partner the responsibility of pressing this button for you when you are needing focus.
The Elle TENS 2 and the Elle TENS Plus differentiating feature is the contraction timer.
Trusted by Midwifes & Mums
Features of the Elle TENS range:
- Burst Mode 1 - usually used in early stages of labour, generally you will stay on this mode for quite a while until you feel you need something stronger.
- Burst Mode 2 - usually used when your labour advances and your contractions become more frequent and you need that extra from your labour TENS to get you through. It gives you the extra surge of power and intensity for the final stage.
- Boost 1 & 2 pressing this magical button is what will pop your Elle TENS straight into an extra surge of power for your contraction. With the Elle TENS 2 & Elle TENS Plus it will also start your contraction timer, once your contraction is over just press the boost button again. Get your birthing partner involved and they can help you manage the boost button during your contractions.
- Opti Max key provides extra versatility. Increasing or decreasing the Opti-Max Key will allow you to either heighten or lessen the level of pulse power. This is extremely useful for the final stages of labour when you need an extra surge of power. There are 5 Opti-Max levels: 50, 100, 150, 200 and 250s (microseconds). It will start in the middle range at 150 but feel free to adjust what is comfortable for you.
- Contraction Timer - When experiencing a contraction, simply press the Boost Button once and release. This is the big button located at the top right of the Elle TENS unit. It gives you an extra surge of power you will need for your contractions and gives you control.
- Pelvic Mode - designed for use by women of all ages to help strengthen pelvic floor muscles and to treat incontinence. Childbirth can weaken the pelvic floor muscles and like all other muscles in your body, the more you stimulate them, the stronger they become. Pelvic mode on the Elle TENS Plus can be used 12 weeks postpartum.
- Pain Mode - the joy of having a general pain mode available in the Elle TENS Plus is that you can use it post labour for your own pain management, use it for sore shoulders/back from breastfeeding, period pain etc or pass it on to a family member who can use it for serious pain such as acute or chronic pain associated with arthritis or recovery from surgery.
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes! Our award winning Elle TENS is a great addition to your birthing kit. It can be used from early labour at home, or all the way through until birth. It also allows you to stay home from the hospital for longer or support you during your home birth.
In certain circumstances a TENS machine can be used during pregnancy for pain relief, but it is important to consult with a healthcare provider first and only under their supervision as they are familiar with your pregnancy.
A TENS (Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation) machine works by delivering low-frequency electrical pulses to the nerves through electrodes placed on the skin. This pulse overloads your nervous system. As your body can only focus on so much information at a time, it prioritises the TENS pulse (nerve activity) over pain signals, meaning that fewer pain signals make it to your brain and spinal cord, so you feel less pain. This is a part of ‘The Gate Control Theory of Pain’.
At the same time the body will release natural pain relieving endorphins.
As soon as contractions start, it’s time to pop your Elle TENS on so you can start to build endorphins. Our built-in contraction timer can help you also to keep track of your contractions as your labour progresses.
It is best to test your tens before your labour begins, so that you know where to correctly place the electrode pads and familiarise yourself with how it works. Once your electrodes are in the correct place, turn the machine on, starting with the lowest settings and gradually turn up each side. Remember the boost button is your best friend during labour as contractions get stronger you may not need to use it initially.
Of course! Your Elle TENS can be used on its own all the way until you give birth, or with other forms of pain relief as needed.
There are no known side effects associated with using a TENS machine during labour, it is a safe drug free pain relief option for you and your baby recommended by medical professionals including midwives, OBs, physios etc
The Elle TENS should not be used in the shower or bath. When mixing up your labour techniques and having a shower for example, remember to pop the electrodes/pads back on the paper they came on so they are ready to use again. It can be helpful to cycle through your labour tools but our mums tell us they want to pop the Elle TENS back on again straight after a shower or bath.
We would love you to have your TENS ready to go by 34-36 weeks. This gives you peace of mind that you have your labour tool kit ready to go for when your baby decides it’s time!
Yes, the Elle TENS is certainly one of the best labour tools you can use during your home birth. Check out our reviews on how Mums have used the Elle TENS through their entire labour at home.
We definitely recommend this! You can test your TENS by placing the electrodes on your arm and turning it to a low setting. You can also ask your birth partner to learn where to put the electrodes on your back, check out electrode placement here.
This will help you get a sense of how the machine feels or troubleshoot any issues that may arise. PS make sure to pop the electrodes back on the paper they came on when not in use so they are in top condition for when you need them again.
Of course, sometimes baby can be in a position which is not the most comfortable for you. The Elle TENS is there to help you and will provide that much needed pain relief.
Yes, your Elle TENS machine can be used during all stages of labour, from early labour right through to birth. Remember that Elle TENS Opti-max key we mentioned before? This will allow you to increase intensity of the pulses as you progress through the different stages of labour putting you in control of your pain.
Most definitely. Your Elle TENS comes with a neck strap to enable you to move around and change positions as you need.
Buy vs Rent
There are a few reasons why you may want to consider purchasing a TENS machine for labour instead of renting one:
Cost-effectiveness
Do you have Private Health Insurance? Purchasing a TENS machine may end up being more cost-effective if you are eligible for a rebate from your private health insurance scheme. Do you plan on having more children in the future, it saves on hire purchases again. The Elle TENS is not a one off use, you can use it to manage any pain or injury, including period pain. It can be used by other members of the family.Convenience
Owning a TENS machine means you can use it whenever you want, for as long as you want. You won’t have to worry about returning the rented machine on time or paying any late fees. Post birth is a time when you want to be focused on you and your baby, no need to dash off to the post office to return your hired TENS.Hygiene
Renting a TENS machine means you’ll be using a device that has been used by other people before you and you know its history. Owning your own TENS machine means you can ensure it’s clean and hygienic before each use.Beyond Labour
The Elle TENS Plus goes beyond labour: You can use the pelvic mode from 12 weeks postpartum, designed to help strengthen pelvic floor muscles which are often weaker after childbirth, and to treat incontinence. The Elle TENS Plus can also be used in pain mode, great for managing your aches and pains from sore shoulders/back from breastfeeding, period pain, or even hand it to a family member who can use it for other types of pain, injuries or recovery from surgery.Health Care Rebate
Did you know that you may be eligible to claim up to 100% of the cost of your Elle TENS back from your private health fund? This makes our Elle TENS even more affordable to purchase! TENS machines, often named “health aid” or “health appliance” commonly attract rebates, however it is best to check with your provider to see what rebate is available to you and what the process is for claiming it.TENS Machines for Labour & Pregnancy
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Making a difference to your health and wellbeing.
Health Rebates for TENS Machines in Australia
Did you know you can claim the cost of your Elle TENS machine on your private health insurance?
Tens Machines commonly attract rebates from health insurance providers. Each provider has a different policy of course and this can change frequently. After you place an order, you will automatically receive a PDF copy of your invoice which will include the relevant information you need from us to support your claim. Some providers may request a provider number or for your claim to be submitted manually.
We have provided the most recent rebate information on some of the more popular private health providers here.
Do I need a doctors referral?
Many health providers require a letter of support from your doctor or medical professional who is looking after you so it is wise to have this in advance.
What if TENS isn’t mentioned in my health insurance policy?
Be aware that a TENS machine may also be referred to as a Health Aid or Health Appliance in your policy and it can be under your extras package.
It is best to contact your health insurance provider directly to find out more about what rebate you can claim, the supporting information you need to provide and the best way to put through your claim!