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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

The short answer is earlier than most people expect. The Elle 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 … 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 An Elle TENS machine — or an alternative such as the Obi TENS Plus — sends small electrical pulses through pads on your lower back whi … read more

A maternity TENS machine is a small handheld device that sends gentle electrical pulses through the skin. These devices are made by manufacturers such as Babycare TENS, now Elle TENS. It works through sticky pads placed on your lower back. TENS stands for Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation. Midwives have recommended it for decades. It's a drug free option for coping with labour pain, especially loved by mums in early labour when at home. The NHS lists TENS machines among the standard pa … read more

When purchasing replacement electrode pads for your Elle TENS, Elle TENS2 or Elle TENS+, it can be tempting to choose any electrodes that fit the lead wires or carry regulatory approvals such as CE, UKCA, FDA or TGA. These approvals alone don't mean the electrodes are suitable for every TENS device, and especially not for the Elle TENS range. Electrodes Are Part of the Elle TENS System Electrodes aren't simply disposable accessories. They form part of the TENS machine's electrical circuit and di … read more