A TENS unit can be a wonderful tool to use during your labor to naturally relieve some of the pain and discomfort. TENS stands for Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation. A TENS unit is a small and easy to use hand-held machine that will help you have a more pleasurable birth experience. It is a safe, non-pharmacological method of pain relief and is so helpful for back labor. The TENS unit is connected by lead wires to four electrodes, or stimulating pads, placed on the back. When stimulated it will feel like a prickly or tingly sensation where the electrodes are placed. Benefits of Using a TENS Unit
The TENS unit works in two ways. The first is through the Gate Control Theory. To put it simply, the sensations from the TENS unit travel to your brain faster than the pain from contractions. Your brain will pay more attention to what gets to it first, thus muting everything else that comes behind it. Secondly, your body produces amazing endorphins that are released in response to pain or stress. These endorphins reduce pain and help you feel more relaxed. The use of a TENS unit stimulates the brain to more more of the wonderful hormone during labor. Studies have shown that using a TENS unit has a specific effect on the pain localized to the back, fewer women used pain medication, and they were more likely use a TENS unit during any future births as well. My clients have been using the TENS unit since my training in 2014. If you’re interested in using a TENS unit please let me know. It is included in many of my doula packages as well. I will bring a TENS unit to one your prenatal visits that we have together and I will show you how to use it and you can try it out. Testimonials “I used the TENS unit for my labor. I had a 12 hour labor and my contractions were in my lower back, and that little machine made my life so much better. Between my doula, my partner and that TENS machine we were able to get through the hardest part of labor.” – Anne “The TENS Unit was really helpful, partly as pain relief, and partly as a distraction.” – Amanda "I found the TENS unit to be really helpful especially in early labor when I had back pain. I remember using it through the night to get some extra sleep. It didn't take away the pain rather the sensation of the nerve stimulation dulled the labor pains. Overall I found it to be a helpful tool and was thankful to have it for added relief." - Lisa Thomas, BBCI “Many of my clients love using the TENS. They particularly like that they can start using it at home and it offers some pain relief in the car ride to the hospital or birth center. I have used it for cramps and it works so well, especially for those first periods postpartum.” – Rebekah Lewis, Doula “As a doula, a few of my clients have having back pain have found it to be helpful. My last client used it at a birth center and actually chose to get out of the tub and put the TENS unit back on because she found it more helpful for her back pain than the water.” – Kelli Besancon, Doula Comments are closed.
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HollieWife, mother, daughter, sister, and friend. A passionate birth doula and childbirth educator. Archives
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