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Giving birth is a remarkable and transformative experience, often accompanied by a mix of excitement and apprehension. Many expectant women and pregnant people will explore various methods to manage pain both in preparation for and during labour, seeking a balance between comfort and empowerment. One such tool gaining popularity in labour wards is the TENS machine. In this blog post, we’ll delve into the world of TENS (Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation) machines and explore how they can offer relief and support during the labour process. So, what is a TENS Machine? TENS machines are portable, battery-operated devices that deliver mild electrical impulses through electrodes placed on the skin. The goal is to alleviate pain by disrupting the pain signals traveling to the brain and promoting the release of endorphins, the body’s natural pain relievers. While TENS machines have been commonly used for managing chronic pain, their application in labour has gained attention for their non-invasive nature and potential effectiveness. Painless and Non-Invasive One of the primary attractions of TENS machines is their non-invasive nature. The electrodes are typically placed on the lower back, and the electrical impulses are administered without the need for drugs or needles. This makes TENS a

1. Anyone who says babies are ‘overdue’ over 40 weeks and that over 41 weeks there’s a 50% increase in stillbirth. Wrong or poorly conveyed information can stress a mum to be unnecessarily. Human gestation can last up to 43 weeks. And a 0.04% chance of stillbirth increasing by 50% is only 0.06! Tiny chance of stillbirth… so really if a pregnancy is healthy, why not trust your body and baby and wait it out calmly. That way you may avoid a swathe of interventions which may change your birth experience entirely.   2. Film and TV showing women in agony giving birth on their back on the bed. It’s literally the worst position you can be in to give birth because it restricts the space in your pelvis for baby to move through. ACTIVE positions such as standing, kneeling or squatting mean you’re giving your baby much more space, allow your tailbone to move and may reduce tearing.   3. Clinical birth environments. Yes they need to be sterile and tidy, but we know that many people feel stressed in a hospital environment. It looks weird, smells weird and tends to be bright and scary. Actually, by turning off