If you doubt whether a Tens Machine will help you during the birth of your baby please consider this: Every Hospital, every Maternity Unit Clinic and every Midwife recommends the use of an Obstetric Tens Machine during Childbirth. In the UK, sales of these devices is huge business. Hiring is even bigger.

We cannot guarantee how effective yours will be for you because as individuals we are all different. However you have very high chance of experiencing a great deal of relief if you have a good quality unit and you use it correctly.

There's a significant difference between using Tens Machine to treat an ongoing painful condition such as Arthritis and using one during Childbirth. Its very simple: if you have the wrong type of machine or its of poor quality or you just happen to use it incorrectly when treating (say) Arthritis you may be disappointed but there's always another day. If you get it wrong during Childbirth you'll have to wait another year to try again!

For Childbirth its essential that you use a good quality machine specifically designed for this purpose. These are usually referred to as Maternity or Obstetric TeNS. You can buy them or you can hire them and you have a pretty good choice of where to get one from.

TeNS made for Childbirth are different to standard models.

An Obstetric TeNS will always be a "twin channel" i.e it will use two pairs of Electrodes (sometimes referred to as Pads).

It will also have two or possibly three preset programs. These programmes will have been carefully chosen by the manufacturer for their effectiveness when used specifically for Childbirth. One of these programs may be referred to as "background mode". This one is to be used in between contractions. The other may be referred to as "boost mode". You'll use this program during contractions.

Your Maternity unit will allow you to adjust the signal strength of each pair of Electrodes individually.

Most importantly it will have a control button that instantly changes the program between "background" and "boost" modes. Remember a comment I made earlier - you only have one chance. So:

- always choose a reputable and experienced supplier. We've been doing this since 1996 and at one time ran the hire scheme for a very large pharmacy chain.

- choose a well known make. Elle and Mama are good examples of modern machines.

- always check your Tens the day it arrives in the post. The clock's running so its best you know now if anything's amiss.

- preferably avoid using the "real" set of Electrodes but you must have a practice run while there's still time to sort out any problems. Its essential that your Electrodes are in pristine condition on the day you need them. We give you a set of practice electrodes to make quite sure they are.

To achieve the best results you need to start using your machine as soon as possible after Labour begins.

Place one set of Electrodes at waist level, the other pair at shoulder blade level. With each set put one electrode either side of your spine 7 to 10mm apart.

Turn your machine on. Choose Background Mode. Increase output intensity until its strong but not uncomfortable. When your contraction begins hit the button to move to Boost Mode. At the end of your contraction return to Background Mode ready to do it all over again.

Good luck.

TeNS Machines are perfectly safe. They have no side effects nor do they effect any other form of pain relief (or prescription drugs of any kind). You can use one on its own or combine it with any other form of medication. There are no reported incidents nor accusations made about them causing harm to anyone. It makes sense, though, to follow manufacturers advice. Safe for Childbirth but avoid use during your period of Pregnancy unless advised otherwise by your medical practicioner. Don't use one if you have Pacemaker fitted, if you suffer from epilepsy or if you have a very serious heart condition.