A TENS machine is a small electronic device which aims to reduce the painful sensations involved in giving birth. It consists of a control unit, and either 2 or 4 adhesive pads which are placed on the skin either side of the spine.

‘TENS’ is an abbreviation of Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation, which is the impressively technical way of saying that the unit passes electrical impulses through the skin and into the nerves beneath, affecting the transmission of pain signals to the brain. This in itself can greatly reduce labour pains in some women, while there is a beneficial side effect in that the impulses prompt the body to manufacture endorphins, the body’s natural painkiller.

Most TENS units have several strength levels, so you can begin to use the machine at a low level when the first signs of discomfort start gradually increasing the strength of the signals as the pain becomes worse. Many units will also have a special ‘boost’ mode which you can activate during a contraction for temporarily greater relief.

TENS machines have the advantage that they are non-invasive and don’t involve any drugs, so they are safe to use for both mother and baby. The downside is that the effectiveness varies greatly from mother to mother – some report good results in lessening pain during labour, others less so.

Nonetheless, for mothers-to-be wanting as natural a birth as possible, TENS machines are certainly worth a try, especially given their fairly low cost.
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