Labour TENS Machine Advice and Guides | Elle TENS

When Should You Start Using A TENS Machine During Labour?

When Should You Start Using A TENS Machine During Labour?

Posted by Lisa Akins on 31st Jul 2026

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
Is TENS Or Gas And Air Better For Labour Pain?

Is TENS Or Gas And Air Better For Labour Pain?

Posted by Lisa Akins on 31st Jul 2026

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
What Is A Maternity TENS Machine And How Does It Work?

What Is A Maternity TENS Machine And How Does It Work?

Posted by Lisa Akins on 27th Jul 2026

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
Why Using the Correct Electrodes with Your Elle TENS Machine Matters

Why Using the Correct Electrodes with Your Elle TENS Machine Matters

Posted by Lisa Akins on 18th Jul 2026

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
​How Looking at Birth Images Can Help Prepare You For Birth

​How Looking at Birth Images Can Help Prepare You For Birth

Posted by Jo Robertson on 9th Dec 2022

Hello, I'm Jo Robertson, Birth Photographer and Doula at Lillian Craze Birth Photography and I'm thrilled to be the guest blogger for Elle Tens. I'd love to take you through how viewing images of birth can help you when it comes to planning and preparing for your birth. For many of us, what birth looks like has been largely influenced by the media and TV. But thanks to the growing number of incredible women and birthing people sharing their births online, this narrative is changing. (Copyright& … read more