Services

Using tens during labor

The Birthing Well offers the use of a TENS unit during labor.   We have been trained in its use and have been approved to offer this service by DONA, the organization through which we are certified as a doulas.  

Many women are unaware of this method of pain relief.  We've developed the following "FAQ" to introduce you to the topic and help you decide if you would like to explore this option.  Of course, we will discuss it in detail at our prenatal visit and the choice to use it is entirely up to you.

what is tens?
TENS stands for Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation. Despite its intimidating name, it is simply a form of pain relief that uses mild electrical impulses to relax muscles and manage pain. TENS therapy has been approved by the FDA for various forms of chronic and acute pain, is covered by many insurance companies, and has been prescribed by doctors as a safe, reliable, and non pharmaceutical pain management system for decades
HOW DOES IT WORK?
TENS therapy gently stimulates nerves and blocks pain signals before they can be received by the brain. It may also trigger the brain to create endorphins, the body’s own natural pain-relieving substance.
The TENS device we own is specifically designed for obstetric use during labor. It consists of a hand-held power unit and sticky-pad electrodes that attach to the power unit via wires. The sticky-pad electrodes attach to your back during labor and are single use-only. The unit is pre-set for appropriate levels of stimulation to combat labor pain, and includes a booster button which is very important for relieving the pain during contractions.
At the onset of labor, simply apply the four pads to your back and switch the TENS unit on. You will feel a pleasant pulsing sensation. This will help to raise the level of your own pain relieving chemicals known as endorphins. When experiencing a contraction, press the booster button for the extra surge of power needed to combat the pain. When the contraction ends, press the booster button again - it is that simple!
IS IT EFFECTIVE?
Studies have shown varying results as to how well TENS works, what types of pain it can best relieve and how long the relief lasts. The Cochrane database summarizes the findings on TENS use as inconclusive and encourages more research.
User feedback has shown that TENS is most effective during the first stage of labor and helps the mother to remain in control, stay alert, and considerably reduces drug intake.
IS IT SAFE?
There are no known side effects of TENS use on you or your baby. However, do not use the unit before 37 weeks of pregnancy. If you suffer from epilepsy or a seizure disorder or use a demand type pace maker, you should not use a TENS machine.
TENS cannot be used while in the water, but it can easily be resumed once mom has come out of the shower or tub.
HOW COME I'VE NEVER HEARD OF IT BEFORE?
TENS has been used to treat chronic and acute pain in the United States for decades. It has not been submitted to the FDA for approval during labor. As such, it has neither been approved nor disapproved for labor pain, and it is not widely used in the US for such purposes.
However, it is widely used in Europe and other parts of the world for labor pain, and units specifically designed for labor use have been developed. Women across the world regularly rent or buy obstetric units to alleviate labor pain.
I'M INTERESTED. HOW CAN I USE IT DURING MY LABOR?
If you’re interested in using the TENS unit during your labor, you will need to do a few things. First, while express permission of your care provider is not necessary, you should talk to your care provider to let them know you plan to use it. A simple “sign off” from your care provider will ease its acceptance at the hospital.
We will practice using the unit prior to labor so that you can be familiar with both the unit and the sensation it produces. That said, many women report the sensation changes dramatically while in labor.