Labour TENS is a small, battery-operated device used to manage labour pain. It works by helping your body release endorphins and by blocking sharp pain signals to your brain.

TENS stands for Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation. The machine sends gentle electrical pulses through electrode pads placed on your back. You control the intensity yourself and can adjust the stimulation as your contractions intensify.

Labour TENS is portable, drug-free and allows you to remain mobile during labour. It can be used at home during early labour and can form part of your overall pain-management plan. It is particularly good if you are aiming for a non-medical birth.

A TENS machine sends small, safe electrical pulses through electrode pads placed on your back.

During labour, the stimulation is thought to help change the way pain signals are processed by the nervous system. TENS may also encourage the release of your body's natural pain-relieving chemicals, including endorphins.

Exactly how TENS reduces the sensation of pain isn't completely understood. Some women also find that having control over the intensity of the stimulation gives them something active to focus on during contractions.

Labour TENS can help women manage the intensity of labour, but it doesn't completely remove pain and it doesn't work equally well for everyone.

TENS effectiveness can vary from one person to the next. Some women find TENS particularly useful during early labour, while others find they need additional pain relief as labour becomes more intense. Other women find TENS is all they need to manage throughout their entire labour.

One of the main benefits of having Labour TENS available is that it gives you another drug-free pain-management option that you control yourself.

Think of TENS as another tool in your birth toolkit, rather than something that guarantees pain relief throughout your entire labour.

Yes. TENS is a drug-free form of pain management.

It doesn't involve medication, injections or anaesthetic. Instead, it uses gentle electrical stimulation delivered through electrode pads placed on your skin.

Because TENS doesn't involve medication, there are no side-effects for mum or baby and no recovery time.

TENS does not interfere with your movement during labour and it can be alternated, or used in conjunction with other forms of pain relief.

TENS usually feels like a tingling, buzzing or pulsing sensation underneath the electrode pads.

You control the intensity of the stimulation. It's a good idea to start gently and gradually increase it until it feels strong but comfortable.

During labour, you may choose a lower setting between contractions and increase the stimulation as a contraction builds. The sensation can feel unusual when you first try TENS, which is why it's a good idea to familiarise yourself with the machine before labour.

TENS shouldn't hurt when it is being used correctly.

The sensation can feel strange or intense, particularly when you first use it, but you control the strength of the stimulation. Start at a low intensity and gradually increase it to a level that feels strong but comfortable.

If the stimulation becomes uncomfortable or painful, turn the intensity down.

It's worth trying your Labour TENS before labour so you know what the sensation feels like and are familiar with the controls before you need it. Just remember that if you are trying TENS before labour, it will feel very different when you are mid-contraction.

Please test your TENS machine when it arrives to make sure everything is working correctly and so you can become familiar with how it works. Please follow the instructions carefully.

Help required? If you need urgent help, call us on 021 054 0251. If you need further assistance testing your unit:

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You can watch our short video or follow the step-by-step instructions below.

1. Firstly, check you have all components needed for testing: TENS unit, 2 purple cords, 4 sticky electrodes, 2 batteries.

2. Put the 2 batteries into the unit.

3. Plug one purple cord into the left-hand side of the unit.

4. Open up the sticky electrodes. Take one set of electrodes from the clear backing (keep the clear backing sheet on the table next to you, so when you've finished testing the unit you can reapply the sticky electrodes).

5. Stick one electrode to your upper arm (bicep). It must be stuck to your skin.

6. Stick the other electrode to your lower arm (forearm). It must be stuck to your skin and you must stick TWO electrodes to your arm.

7. Plug the white electrode cables into the purple cord which is attached to the left-hand side of the unit. One in red, one in black.

8. Turn on the TENS machine using the pink button.

9. Push the button CH1 + (on the left-hand side), until your fingers start to twitch. This should happen when you get up to around level 7 on the screen.

10. Remove the sticky electrodes and place them back on the clear sheet.

11. Take the second purple cord and put it into the right-hand side of the TENS machine.

12. Remove the second set of sticky electrodes and repeat the testing. Ensure you press the CH2 + button on the right-hand side of the TENS unit.

Note: The backing on the electrodes is very sticky. If you look after them carefully, they can be put on and off the skin multiple times.

TENS has been used for pain relief during childbirth for almost 50 years. Research on its use in labour dates back to the 1970's. Since then, TENS has been studied in numerous clinical trials and systematic reviews involving women in labour. A Cochrane review identified 19 studies and reported NO adverse events in the studies reviewed. Provided the safety instructions are followed, TENS is safe for use during labour.

Yes! TENS is widely used in maternity care and all hospitals and birthing units in New Zealand allow it as part of a birth plan. Note that you may be asked to remove it if you have specific interventions.

Labour TENS can be a useful drug-free option for managing the sensations of labour, particularly during early labour. It is portable, non-invasive and gives you control over the level of stimulation throughout your labour.

Potential benefits include:

• Drug-free pain management — TENS doesn't involve medication, injections or anaesthetic.
• You control it — you can adjust the intensity yourself and increase the stimulation as contractions become stronger. Having control over your own pain relief can be empowering.
• You can stay mobile — you can walk, change positions and use a birth ball while wearing a portable Labour TENS.
• It can be started early — you can begin using it at home during early labour, and it can help you feel comfortable for longer at home.
• It gives you something active to focus on — some women find the sensation and control of TENS helpful during contractions.
• It can be used alongside other labour techniques — massage, hypnobirthing, movement.
• No recovery time from medication — because TENS doesn't involve drugs, there are no medication-related effects to wear off after using it.
• Birth partners can take an active role in supporting the use of TENS.

Before you get started, here are a few important safety guidelines to keep in mind. We want you to feel confident and reassured using your Labour TENS machine, and these simple precautions help ensure it’s used safely and effectively.

If you’re ever unsure, your midwife or healthcare provider is always the best person to check with.

• 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 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.
  

If you have any doubts or would like further guidance, please don’t hesitate to reach out.

If you're planning to use TENS during labour, look for a TENS machine specifically designed for childbirth (an obstetric or Labour TENS) rather than a standard TENS machine designed primarily for general pain, physiotherapy or sports recovery.

A Labour TENS is designed around the changing pattern of contractions and should ideally have:

• A Boost button so you can quickly increase the stimulation during a contraction.
  
• Adjustable intensity so you can control the strength of the stimulation yourself. A Labour TENS will go to a higher intensity than a regular physio TENS.
  
• Labour-specific settings or programmes designed for use during contractions.
  
• Simple, easy-to-use controls that you can operate during labour.
  
• Portable, battery-powered design so you can remain mobile and take it between home and your place of birth.
  
• Electrode pads designed for placement on the back during labour.

The Elle TENS is the original, proven labour TENS unit — simple, reliable, and designed specifically for contraction pain that comes and goes in waves and increases in intensity.

The Elle TENS 2 is the upgraded model, with improvements focused on visibility, timing, and ease of use during labour.

Key real differences with the Elle TENS 2:

Improved screen + backlight:
Easier to read in low light during labour, especially at night or in a dim birth space.

Contraction timing display:
Helps you and your birth partner keep track of contraction length and spacing, making it easier to understand progress and update your midwife when needed.

Optimised interface (simpler control during labour):
Clearer layout and more intuitive buttons so you or your birth partner can adjust settings quickly and confidently when things intensify.

The Elle TENS is the original, proven labour TENS unit — simple, reliable, and designed specifically for contraction pain that comes and goes in waves and increases in intensity.

The Elle TENS 2 is the upgraded model, with improvements focused on visibility, timing, and ease of use during labour.

Key real differences with the Elle TENS 2:

Improved screen + backlight:
Easier to read in low light during labour, especially at night or in a dim birth space.

Contraction timing display:
Helps you and your birth partner keep track of contraction length and spacing, making it easier to understand progress and update your midwife when needed.

Optimised interface (simpler control during labour):
Clearer layout and more intuitive buttons so you or your birth partner can adjust settings quickly and confidently when things intensify.