Reduces labour pain for 98% of women.
For use from early labour until you can receive other pain management, or all the way through for a drug free birth. Recommended by midwives, Elle TENS is a must for every birth.
How does TENS help?
Through the placement of the electrode pads directly on your skin, Elle TENS helps relieves labour pain in two ways;
Blocking Pain Signals: The Elle TENS is attached to electrode pads which are placed on your lower back, directly on the skin. The electrodes emit a harmless flood of electrical impulses to the nerves. Your brain can only process so much information at once, so your brain reduces the number of signals it will process, which in turn reduces the level of pain you consciously feel.
Natural Pain Relief: These impulses also encourage your body to release endorphins and enkephalins, yournatural chemicals, that reduce pain.
Why Mums Choose Elle TENS Machines for Labour
Why Midwives Choose Elle TENS Machines for Labour
Where to place TENS pads for Labour
What causes labour pain
Labour pain, or childbirth pain, is a complex sensation that arises from a combination of physiological and mechanical factors associated with the process of childbirth.
The primary causes of labour pain include:
- Uterine Contractions
- Cervical Changes
- Pressure on Pelvic Floor Muscles
- Stretching of Vaginal Tissues
- Engagement and Descent of the Baby
- Rupture of the Amniotic Sac
- Contractions of the Perineum
- Psychological Factors
- Back Labour
All of these sources of pain send electrical impulses to the brain, to inform you of what is happening. These pain messages are transferred via chemical messengers and these signals travel up your spine where your brain registers them. These pain sources and the level of pain varies between individuals. Labour pain however is largely accepted as one of the more painful experiences most people will go through in their lifetime. Having a plan on how you intend to manage the pain helps to have a more positive birth experience and can decrease the chances of postpartum mental health challenges.
To read more information on these pain types click here.
reduce your labour pain with Elle TENS
Using a TENS Machine for Labour:
Electrode Placement:
Place the electrodes on your or lower back: For labour pain, position all four large electrode pads on your lower back, two just below your bra line and the others just above your underwear line, as shown here.
Time for Use:
Frequency of Use:
Use as needed: TENS machines are safe for daily use. You can use it whenever you experience period pain. Some people find relief with multiple short sessions throughout the day.
Expected Sensations:
Immediacy of Relief:
The electrodes deliver electrical impulses immediately and within a few minutes you should recognise a change in the levels of pain. If you are not feeling relief, it might be worth repositioning the electrodes, or increasing the level of impulses.
Tips
- Experiment with settings: TENS machines have adjustable settings. Experiment with different frequencies and intensities to find what suits you best.
- Stay relaxed during use: Find a comfortable position while using the TENS machine. Calming your mind and relaxing your body can enhance the effectiveness, using tools such as music, finding a focal point and breathing techniques will also help.
- Consult your healthcare provider: If you have any concerns or underlying health conditions, it's always a good idea to consult with your healthcare provider.
TENS & EMS Machines for Labour
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.
