TENS Machine Hire in Frome

Birthzang offers TENS Machine Hire for anyone looking for a way to help with labour and birth without taking drugs.

What is a TENS Machine?

“TENS” stands for Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation. Basically you stick 4 gel pads onto your lower back and it runs a low-level electrical current through your body. It feels a bit like a buzzing – almost like someone is holding an electric toothbrush against your skin.

It helps to reduce pain sensations and so many people find it incredibly useful to use in labour to help them cope with contractions.

How does it work?

There are two electric current levels.

The low level is on all the time. This helps to stimulate the body’s natural pain relief: endorphins.

The higher level is used in bursts during a contraction. This current helps to block pain stimulus reaching the brain by interrupting the nerve signals travelling up the spine.

Both levels can be adjusted to suit your preferences and needs.

Is there any evidence it works?

Here is where it starts getting a bit strange. There are a variety of studies on using TENS machines in labour, and none were conclusive.

Anecdotally, some people swear by a TENS machine and say that hiring a TENS machine it is the best thing EVER for labour.

Others find it at best making no difference, and at worst being irritating.

It is clear from my research that correct usage is important and you can check out more information about using a TENS machine on this blog post I have written about it, or referring to my book Helping Birth: your guide to pain relief choices in labour & childbirth with real stories.

Perhaps it is just a placebo effect but the amazing thing about a TENS machine is that if you don’t like it, you can take it off and it stops immediately.

Plus, there are absolutely NO SIDE EFFECTS for the mother or the baby.

The bottom line is THERE IS NO HARM IN TRYING! It might not help….but it might be amazing.

TENS Machine Hire

I have 2 Labour TENS Machines to hire out for use in labour and birth.

If you live in or near to Frome, Somerset, then you can collect it from me in person. This will cost just £25 and includes a set of new, unopened pads.

If you live further away then I can post it to you for a cost of £35. This includes Evri delivery to your home, and a return label that can either be dropped to a nearby drop-off point or collected from your home (you will need a printer).

You can get the TENS machine from 36 weeks into your pregnancy, and you should return it within 4 weeks of your baby being born.

If I have someone on the waiting list I may get in touch with you after your due date to see if an earlier return date is possible.