What is a TENS machine?
A TENS machine is a popular method of drug-free pain relief and is usually most effective during the early stages of labour. TENS stands for transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation as the machine gives you safe amounts of electric signals to treat pain through pads that stick to your back. The current stimulates your body to produce more endorphins, which are natural painkillers. The more endorphins produced, the less pain you feel.
To find out more about how TENS work in general, the NHS has a useful guide about using a TENS machine during labour. You should make sure the machine you’ve chosen is designed for maternity and we strongly recommend talking to your midwife or healthcare provider before using one.
Are TENS machines any good for labour?
A TENS machine is a popular choice for the early stages of labour and some find using it with gas and air is enough to cope with contractions. You decide what level of current you need so you’re in complete control.
A survey carried out by Which? found that seven out of 10 women said using a machine relieved labour pain. Mumsnet users also recommend that, if possible, you try a machine before you decide which one to buy or borrow, but this shouldn’t be before the 37th week of pregnancy. Not all machines suit everyone so having a go and getting the settings correctly adjusted before you need it is the best way to ensure it’ll work for you when you’re actually in labour.
What are the disadvantages of TENS during labour?
If you don't start using a TENS machine right at the beginning of labour, it might not be quite so effective for pain relief. You also can't use it in water if you're planning on a water birth, or using a bath for pain relief. Some women don't like the sensation of a TENS machine, while others don't find it as effective for pain relief as others do.
Are TENS machines worth it?
It really depends - some swear by their TENS machine and say that it helps tremendously during labour. Others don't find they make enough meaningful difference to labour pain to be worth it.
How does a TENS machine work?
Maternity TENS machines have four large pads which stick to your back to provide targeted pain relief through small electrical impulses. Most machines have preset programmes so you don’t need to spend much time setting them up.
What to look for when buying a TENS unit?
Some TENS machines are just for providing pain relief during the late stages of pregnancy and early labour. Others can be used after labour too for residual pain and some machines come with attachments which can provide targeted postnatal care to help with things like pelvic floor strengthening.
The main things to look out for are:
Built-in modes for different levels of pain relief
A boost button which can be used during contractions
Easy-to-use controls and a simple display
Portability - some machines also come with a carry pouch
Whether the TENS machine can be used both during and after labour
You should also check that it’s an approved maternity machine. If you can, try one out before you decide which model is best for you.
How often should I use a TENS machine?
The beauty of TENS machines is that you control the amount and frequency of the pain relief so you can use it as much or as little as you need to during labour.
Can a TENS machine be harmful?
No, there are no known side effects of using a maternity TENS machine during labour, but you shouldn’t use one until at least the 37th week of pregnancy. This is because of the unknown effects it could have on a developing foetus, as well as an increased risk of inducing labour.
How much does a good TENS unit cost?
You can pick up a good TENS machine for less than £40. Or if you’re wanting one that will help during the first few months after labour, you can spend up to £100.
Your midwife will be able to tell you whether the labour ward has TENS machines you can use if you are having a hospital birth. The disadvantage of using the hospital one is that you won’t have tried it first and will only be able to use it in the hospital. However, your midwife may be able to tell you if there are any local lending facilities where you can go along and try one out first.
If you don’t want to buy one, you can hire machines for six or seven weeks. The advantage of this is that it’s lower in cost (usually around £30) and there’s normally free delivery and collection of the unit included. It can then be used by someone else once you’ve finished with it.
Which is the best brand for a TENS machine?
The Babycare TENS Elle offers a lot for the price and is the best TENS machine as recommended by mums. It gives you help with pain during and after labour and the breast pads can help give you a boost with lactation too. The contraction timer and log help you keep in control and know how things are progressing.
How we chose our recommendations
The majority of our recommendations came from parents on the Mumsnet forums. We also visited health sites, including the NHS, to check safety, and consulted consumer review sites to further round out our research.
Here’s what some Mumsnet users had to say about using TENS machines during labour:
“I used it during early labour and continued with it at the birthing centre too. The batteries lasted well, it definitely helped and was nice and portable. The pads are fairly cheap to replace as well so could use it again or sell it on afterwards.” - Roxyxoxo
“I used one. It was amazing. Used it for my second and it helped me so much. Had no pain relief but that for my second and only a bit of gas and air at the end with my third. I would highly recommend using one!” - febel
Here are the best TENS machines for labour.
About the author
Mum-of-three Jenny Wonnacott is a Content Editor for Mumsnet, specialising in writing, editing and optimising pregnancy care and child play content.
Before joining the content team at Mumsnet, Jenny worked as a journalist for newspapers, radio, TV and b2b trades magazines for over a decade. She is also a bestselling sci-fi author (writing as J M Briscoe) and parenting blogger.
As a parent of three primary school-aged children, Jenny is passionate about making Mumsetters' lives easier through rigorous research of all items recommended in buyers' guides such as these, as well as product reviews and expert advice on all things pregnancy and child play related.
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