Which TENS is Best for Labour?

When mums-to-be speak to me about hiring or buying a TENS, I am often asked which is the best TENS machine for labour?

I like to offer a variety of TENS units for you to choose from, so you can find the one that is best for you.

When you seek a TENS machine to use during your labour and birth, you firstly need to find one that is specifically designed for labour.  This is because TENS machines can be used for a variety of pain conditions, and using a labour TENS makes it easier for you in three ways:

1. An obstetric TENS unit has all the tricky bits pre-set for you.  You don’t need to fiddle with dials or find the right frequency, you can just use a “plus” button to increase the intensity and a “minus” button to decrease the intensity.  You won’t want to think about anything more than that in labour.
2. a labour TENS machine has a Boost Button.  This helps change the sensation from the TENS for your contraction.  You push it at the start of a contraction, and then again at the end of the contraction.  This turns it on and then off.
3. Labour TENS units use 4 large sized pads to connect with your skin.

What are the differences between the alternative labour TENS machines?

The Boost Button for the Neurotrac TENS is on a separate wire.  This is fine for most women, but some women can feel a little wired up (2 wires from their back for the TENS, and maybe more if you are being monitored).  With the Obi TENS, Elle TENS, and Elle TENS Plus, the Boost Button is built in to the unit itself.

The lead wires which attach to the pads can work off one or two  “channels”.  The benefit of having 2 channels is that you may wish to adjust the top or bottom pads on your back differently, depending on where you feel you need more help, or as your baby descends.  If you only have one channel (as in the case of the Obi TENS), you don’t have this choice, any adjustment will affect all 4 pads.  The Neurotrac TENS, Elle TENS and Elle TENS Plus all have 2 channels.

The Elle TENS and Elle TENS Plus have a special feature which no other TENS has – they have the OptiMax Button.  Optimax can be used in the final stages of labour to give you an extra pulse of pain combatting power.

There is a price differential between the different TENS machines as well, for both hire and purchase, which is dependent upon their features.

The final feature which I think is really handy is the contraction timer which is included in the Elle TENS Plus.  This can be very handy, as it times your contractions for you, so your support people don’t need to have their eyes on the clock, they can be completely focussed on you.

Comparison Table:

If you want to discuss which is the best TENS machine for you further before you hire or buy, please contact me by email at nicole@birthpartner.com.au or by phone on 02 9522 6222 or 0402 405 889.

If you are ready to order, you can contact me directly, or order through the TENS page.

Don’t forget to sign up for our newsletter here, and join our growing Facebook community to stay abreast of Birth Partner’s new products and special offers, as well as great information about pregnancy, birth and baby.