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TENS for Childbirth

TENS stands for Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation, and has successfully been used for many years by pregnant women and professional midwives worldwide to treat labour pain.TENS Machines especially designed for pain relief in childbirth are effective, safe and simple to use for pain relief during labour. They use larger skin electrodes pads than conventional TENS and include a booster button, which is very important for relieving pain as required during contractions. You can find a suitable TENS for the birth of your baby on the Win Health 'TENS for Childbirth' page below.

Maternity TENS - Obstetric TENS - Babycare TENS - Labour TENS

TENS Pain Relief in Childbirth

In this section of Win Health website you can find specific information about drug free pain relief for women as well as devices that can assist you during birth:

TENS Pain Relief in Childbirth

TENS (Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation) has been designed to stimulate sensory nerve endings in order to decrease perception of pain. The stimulus blocks pain signals passing along the nerves to the central nervous system. TENS stimuli also stimulate endogenous production of endorphins - naturally produced chemical substances that change sensory perception.

Array of painful problems that responds well to TENS therapy includes the pain experienced by pregnant women at the time of childbirth. TENS machines have been found to be very effective in providing relief during labour with ever increasing numbers of women choose to use TENS to combat painful sensations felt during childbirth. 

TENS machines often referred to as Maternity TENS or Obstetric TENS or Babycare TENS or Labour TENS are TENS machines especially designed to provide the most effective pain relief during contractions and to aid relaxation. They utilise electric frequencies and pulses found to be the most effective in relieving of childbirth pains. Such TENS machines can be used safely from the onset of labour at home, through to the delivery of your baby.

Maternity TENS - Obstetric TENS - Babycare TENS - Labour TENS use large skin electrodes than the conventional TENS machines. They also feature a boost button that enables the woman in labour to be in charge of her own pain relief as she needs it.   

TENS electrodes positioning for pain relief in childbirth.Applying TENS at the time of childbirth is simple and mums-to-be find it the process easy, especially that when using obstetric TENS they are truly in charge of their own pain relief during labour. This is how it is done:

At the onset of labour, simply apply the four skin electrode pads to your back and turn the TENS machine on. You will feel a pleasant pulsing sensation. Gentle electric impulses stimulate your body to release your own pain relieving chemicals known as endorphins. When you are experiencing a contraction, just press the booster button for the extra surge of power that may be needed to combat the pain. When the contraction subsides, press the booster button again to stop the electric signals. Repeat the same process as you need - it is that easy and simple!

TENS pain relief therapy is most effective during the first stage of labour and helps the mother to remain in control, stay alert and considerably reduce drug intake. It represents an effective way to relieve pain without any side effects to the mother or the baby.

Maternity Tens - Obstetric TENS - Babycare TENS - Labour TENS present an effective alternative to pharmacological drug based analgesia. Maternity Tens are viable alternatives for all mums-to-be, who wish to deliver their babies naturally and as comfortably as possible and without unwanted side effects that can be caused by drugs.

You can use your maternity TENS as the stand alone method of pain relief in childbirth or in conjunction with other pain relief methods, such as gas or air or pethidine, if required.

Here we present a selection of the most popular TENS machines recommended by medical professionals for use in childbirth:

Neurotrac Obstetric TENS - MamaTens - Elle TENS - Obi TENS - Stimplus Electro Acupuncture TENS

You can purchase your own TENS or you can hire a TENS machine for use during your labour. Here you can buy TENS machines designed to help with childbirth pains:

Electro Acupuncture Pain Relief in Childbirth

Stimplus Electro Acupuncture: An electrotherapy device that you may find helpful during childbirth is the Stimplus electro acupuncture Tens device. Stimplus can deliver additional pain relief during confinement or aid relaxation in the second stage of labour. Stimplus can be easily applied by birthing partners (i.e. fathers-to-be).

After the birth, Stimplus can help with a variety of aches & pains (i.e. shoulder pain, back pain, perineal pain) as well as promote restful sleep. Thereafter, Stimplus can help minimize anxiety and depression and relieve painful periods, pre-menstrual stress and headache.          

PLEASE NOTE: TENS Machines & Electro Acupuncture Devices MUST NOT be used before 37th week of pregnancy. VAT exemption does not apply, when you purchase TENS or hire TENS for use during childbirth.

Guide to TENS Pain Relief in Childbirth:

Guide to Drug Free Pain Relief for Women: Before - During - After Childbirth
A Woman's Guide to Drug Free Pain Relief - before, during and after the birth - by Dr Gordon Gadsby

This essential guide to drug free pain relief has been especially written to assist women prior, during and after childbirth.

Dr Gadsby's Guide for Women on Drug Free Pain ReliefThe guide has 3 main sections:

1.    Before birth
2.    During birth
3.    After your baby's birth

Each section contains illustrations and instructions to help you combat pain and relieve uncomfortable sensations using different treatment techniques, such as acupressure, electro-acupuncture and TENS. You will be able to use any of these pain relief techniques independently or in combination. Additionally - the guide also includes helpful advice how your birthing partner can help with pain relief.

Content of the main sections:

  • Before birth (Ante natal - During Pregnancy): Relaxation treatment; Back pain; Nausea or sickness; Addiction (i.e. nicotine, alcohol)
  • During birth (Labour and Delivery): Using TENS; Guide for the Birthing Partner: Relaxation for the Mother; Pain relief at the start and through labour; Stimulation of contractions
  • After the birth (Post natal - After delivery): Shoulder pain; Perineal and after pain; Anxiety and depression; Period pain - dysmenorrhoea; Pre-menstrual stress and headaches; Back pain. Pelvic floor / Incontinence treatment; Caesarean Delivery Incision Pain   

A Woman's Guide to Drug Free Pain Relief - before, during and after the birth - by Dr Gordon Gadsby costs £5.99 Buy Womens Guide to Pain Relief by Dr Gadsby 

(*VAT is not charged on books).

About Dr Gordon Gadsby: Dr Gadsby is a leading clinical specialist in electrotherapy treatments, such as neuro-electric acupuncture and transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS) with many years of experience in the NHS and private healthcare sector. Dr Gadsby is an expert on therapeutic applications of electrotherapy and electroanalgesia.

Refer to Muscle Assessment and Rehab page for general information on muscle assessment and muscle rehabilitation device with pain relief function.

Refer to Neuromuscular Electrodes page for superior range of Neuromuscular Stimulation skin electrodes and TENS therapy skin electrodes.

Return to Win Health home page or visit Win Health Online Shop.

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