TENS Machine For Managing Labour Pain
Usually spontaneous labour begins with mild, irregular contractions that don’t take too much of your attention. Of course that’s not always the case for some women. But the majority of labours will begin slowly and progress to more regular, strong (bloody hard) contractions that come much more frequently. It is in the early phases of labour, the first stage, that the uterus is contracting to help soften and shorten the cervix so that it can dilate and allow space for bub to be born.
Quick refresher of the stages of labour:
Stage 1 - From when the cervix starts to soften and open. This stage is complete when the cervix is dilated to around 10cm. The first stage of labour is when TENS machines are the most useful.
Stage 2 - The period of time between when the cervix is fully dilated to when the baby is born
Stage 3 - This stage begins after the baby is born and finishes when the placenta and membranes have been delivered.
SO WHAT IS A TENS MACHINE?
Transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation or TENS is a hand held, battery operated device that is used during labour for pain relief. The machine connects to two electrodes that are placed on your lower back. The TENS machine sends small electrical pulses to the area under the electrodes which causes a buzzing, pins and needles or tingling sensation.
HOW DOES IT WORK?
We don’t have a lot of high quality evidence to explain the exact way the TENS machine works but there are a few theories. One way we think the TENS provides relief is through the Gate Control Theory. This theory says that the brain can only handle a set amount of sensory input and therefore there is a “gate” that controls how much information reaches the brain. By flooding the brain with a pain free source of sensory input (the buzzing from the electrodes) the brain can’t really recognise the sensations from the contractions. Essentially the TENS is blocking the labour contraction pain from reaching the brain. This is how it worked for me. As my contraction would begin I would hammer down the boost button and focus on the buzzing sensations through my back which would reduce the intensity of the actual contraction pain.
The other way it is thought to work is by triggering the release of the bodies own natural pain relieving hormones; the endorphins. This might also be linked to a reduction in anxiety and stress, which can help to make you feel more in control of your labour.
IS IT EASY TO USE?
There are different brands and models of TENS machines but they are usually very easy to use. You may just need help getting the electrodes on and off your back but otherwise you have complete control over the intensity and timing of it’s use. The device has a dial to increase the intensity and most of them have a boost button as well. The idea is that the machine provides a low level of constant tingling in between contractions. Then when the contraction begins, you press the boost button which increases the intensity of the signal while your contraction is building. Once the contraction has stopped you release the boost button and the low level background intensity remains.
WHEN NOT TO USE A TENS MACHINE?
You can NOT use the device while in the shower or bath so just take the electrodes off and be sure to dry the area before you put them back on.
You may need to turn it off for foetal monitoring, but your midwife should direct you in this.
If you have a pace maker or heart condition you should speak with your doctor before using the TENS machine.
YOUR LABOUR TOOL KIT:
The best way to think about a TENS machine is that it is one of the tools in your labour and birthing tool kit. Labour and birth is unpredictable and you cannot know what is going to work best for you until you are in it. Having a range of management and coping strategies gives you options and can help provide you with a sense of control.
Just like you might plan to use massage, essential oils, water, music, active birth skills or medications. I highly recommend it from my own experiences and most women who use a TENS machine in their labour say they would use it again.
Image by www.blackcherryphotography.com.au
Image by www.blackcherryphotography.com.au
MY OWN EXPERIENCE WITH TENS.
I had two days of prodromal labour with my first daughter. A long few days where the contractions would start in the morning, come on and off throughout the day and then stop at night. Looking back it was my body’s way of preparing, but at the time it was very frustrating. I used my TENS machine through both these days and then again when my active labour began. I used it for 8 hours before taking it off to get in the bath. I really loved it, especially since I felt a lot of my contractions in my lower back. It doesn’t take away the pain completely (unfortunately), but it helped distract me, gave me a feeling of control and kept me focused.
I did the same for Adele’s labour. As soon as I felt that first niggle I asked my husband to put the TENS on. This time things went a little fasters, and I tried to get back into bed with it on but my body had other ideas. I jumped up out of bed and moved around. At one stage, I got in the shower, I took it off but had it ready to go as soon as I got out. I used the TENS machine all the way until Adele was delivered. At one point I lost the button and started panicking. I think it was actually my Obstetrician who said “Get Megan her TENS machine!” So yes. I found it very useful.