By 37 weeks pregnant, it’s very common for you to start feeling the physical strain of late pregnancy — especially lower back pain, pelvic girdle pain, hip discomfort, sciatica, Braxton Hicks, and general muscular aches. There are often limited pharmaceutical pain relief options available for these everyday pregnancy discomforts, or you may prefer not to take medication during pregnancy, which is why many mums look for safe, drug-free ways to help you cope during those final weeks.
A TENS machine works by sending small electrical pulses through your skin to help block pain signals and encourage the release of endorphins — your body’s natural pain relief chemicals. Research around TENS use in late pregnancy (from 37 weeks) has shown particularly positive results for lower back pain and pelvic girdle pain, with studies finding meaningful reductions in pain intensity and improved mobility for many women. Evidence around Labour TENS also shows it is considered a low-risk, non-invasive pain relief option when used correctly, with no evidence of harm to you or your baby in healthy term pregnancies.
For many women, the biggest benefit of using a TENS from 37 weeks isn’t necessarily removing pain completely, but helping your discomfort feel more manageable while you stay mobile, rested, calm, and relaxed toward the end of pregnancy.
As always, if you'd like to use your TENS from 37 weeks, if you have any concerns, check with your midwife first.
A few important safety notes:
- Do NOT use the TENS machine in water. Always remove it before entering a bath, shower, or pool.
- Do NOT use a TENS machine if you have a cardiac pacemaker.
- Do NOT use a TENS machine if you have epilepsy.
- Do NOT place the electrode pads on the abdomen, head, face, neck, across the heart, or over areas with metal implants.
- Only use the electrodes on unbroken skin. Stop use immediately if irritation occurs and seek medical advice.
- Check with your medical adviser before using if you have a heart condition, unexplained pain, metal implants, or any concerns at all.
- TENS should NOT be used before 37 weeks of pregnancy unless under medical supervision. If you’d like to use it earlier for back pain, please check with your midwife first. It is safe, however, to test the TENS on a low setting for a short time on your arm or your partner’s arm.
