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Elle TENS machines are available to buy or hire, so neither option is the “proper” way to do it, they’re simply suited to different situations. Hiring can be a more affordable option if you only need a machine for one labour and like the idea of having it for a limited amount of time. Buying means you can keep your machine and use it beyond your birth, whether that’s for a future labour, or general pain relief after labour such as breastfeeding pain or period pain. The de … read more

Preparing for the arrival of your baby comes with plenty of decisions, and it is completely understandable to look for ways to save money wherever you can. With second hand Elle TENS machines regularly appearing on online marketplaces, many expectant mums wonder whether buying pre-owned is a good option. As the manufacturer of Elle TENS, we are often asked this question. Our answer is simple: a second hand Elle TENS machine may be suitable, provided you know what to look for. This guide explains … read more

The short answer is earlier than most people expect. A TENS machine works best when it's switched on right at the start of labour, not once contractions are already intense. Why timing matters A TENS machine helps in two ways: it interrupts pain signals travelling to the brain, and it encourages the body to release endorphins, its own natural pain-relieving hormones. NHS guidance notes it tends to work best during the latent, early phase of labour. The endorphin effect takes time to build. Switc … read more

Getting the pad placement right is what makes a TENS machine actually work. Put the pads in the wrong spot and you'll feel the buzz, but you won't get the pain relief. Here's where they go, and why it matters. Why placement matters A TENS machine works by targeting specific nerve pathways that carry pain signals from the uterus and cervix to the brain. Those pathways run through particular points on your lower back. Midwives suggest practising the placement before labour starts, rather than work … read more

There isn't a clean winner here, and anyone telling you otherwise is probably selling something. TENS and gas and air work in different ways, suit different points in labour, and plenty of women end up using both rather than choosing between them. It's worth looking at what each one actually does before deciding what might work for you. How TENS works A TENS machine sends small electrical pulses through pads on your lower back which interrupt pain signals travelling to the brain as well as encou … read more