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

I will be totally honest with you: we cannot guarantee how effective your Tens Machine 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 Maternity Tens Machine and you use it correctly.

There's a significant difference between using a Tens Machine to treat an ongoing painful condition such as Arthritis and using a Tens Machine for Childbirth. Its very simple: if you have the wrong type of Tens 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 Tens Machine specifically designed for Childbirth. These are usually referred to as Maternity TeNS 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 TeNS Machines.

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

An Obstetric TeNS Unit will have two or possibly three preset programs. These programmes will have been carefully chosen by the Tens Machine 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 TeNS will allow you to adjust the signal strength of each pair of Tens Electrodes.

Most importantly your Obsteric Tens Machine will have a control button that instantly changes the program between "background" and "boost" modes. A good standard Tens Machine can undoubtedly replicate these settings but each program change may take a minute or more to complete. You simply don't have time to do it.

Remember a comment I made earlier - you only have one chance. So:

- always choose a reputable and experienced supplier

- choose a well know Maternity TeNS Unit. Elle TeNS and Mama are good examples of modern Obstetric TeNS Machines.

- always check your Tens Machine the day it arrives in the post. The clock is running so its best you know now if anythings amiss.

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

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

Place one set of Tens 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 Maternity Tens 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 a Tens Machine on its own or combine it with any other form of medication. There are no reported incidents nor accusations made about TeNS Machines causing harm to anyone. It makes sense, though, to follow manufacturers advice. Safe for Childbirth but not during your period of Pregnancy. Don't use a Tens Machine if you have Pacemaker fitted, if you suffer from epilepsy or if you have a very serious heart condition.