Pain relief options
Transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS)
Using a TENS machine in labour
- Electrodes are taped onto your back and connected by wires to a small battery-powered stimulator.
- With the stimulator, you give yourself small, safe amounts of current through the electrodes.
- You can move around while you use the TENS machine.
How do TENS machines help during labour pain?
TENS is believed to work by stimulating the body to produce more of its own natural painkillers, called endorphins.
- It reduces the number of pain signals that are sent to the brain by the spinal cord.
- TENS has been shown to be most effective if used during the early stages of labour when many women experience lower back pain.
- There are no known side effects for either you or the baby.
More information: Pregnancy, Birth and Baby – TENS (Transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation)
In this guide:
- Managing pain in labour
- Transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS)
- Sterile water injections (SWIs)
- Nitrous oxide (gas)
- Morphine
- Epidurals