Pregnancy, Labour, Childbirth and Breastfeeding - All You Need to Know! - BreastfeedingMums.com

Pregnancy| Breastfeeding| Birth Plans| Early Pregnancy Symptoms| Labour| Birth Injuries| Pregnancy Stories| Breastfeeding Stories| Miscarriage Poems| Stillbirth Poems| Advertise| Product Reviews| Contact Us

Pain Relief During Childbirth - TENS

Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation, otherwise known as TENS may sound like a rather odd treatment but it does offer some degree of pain relief during childbirth and in the early stages of labour.

Looking a little like a personal stereo, a TENS machine has wires coming from it with electrodes on the ends of them which are placed on particular parts of the body.

By delivering electrical pulses to these points, thus stimulating pain, signals are sent to your brain to block the nerve signals which carry pain messages.

It is also believed that this action stimulates the production of natural pain relieving hormones, endorphins, thereby lessening the pain of labor.

Many women use a TENS machine during the early stages of labor, and because they control the intensity of the signals and the length of time it is used for, it may be possible to stay at home or drug-free a little longer than otherwise.

Some NHS hospitals provide TENS machines but in general you will have to provide your own. They can either be purchased directly or hired for a short period of time.

More Pain Relief Options

Hypnosis

Birthing Pool

Doula

Gas and Air

Pethidine

Epidural/ Mobile Epidural

Spinal Block

Meptid (Meptazinol)

Find me on Twitter

Like our Facebook Page

Treat Yourself to Me Time!

Pregnancy Relaxation CD

For the ultimate pregnancy treat, buy our Pregnancy Relaxation CD or download our Pregnancy Relaxation mp3 . Lie back, relax and connect with your unborn baby in the privacy of your own home.

Or, if you're currently struggling with a busy lifestyle and the added demands of parenting, try our Perfect Relaxation for Parents mp3 - take time out for yourself and awaken refreshed and ready to face whatever life throws at you!

Also by BreastfeedingMums

Books We Love!

Support Us!

Pregnancy Music

Write for Us

If you would like to contribute a pregnancy or breastfeeding poem, story or photos, or a miscarriage poem or story, just contact us and we'll add it to the site. Thanks.

This site abides by the World Health Organisation International Code of Marketing of Breastmilk Substitutes.
Copyright 2006-2012 BreastfeedingMums.com
Disclaimer: All material provided at breastfeedingmums.com is provided for educational purposes only. Consult your doctor, midwife, health-visitor, breastfeeding consultant or other health professional regarding the advisability of any opinions or recommendations with respect to your individual situation.