Pregnancy & Labor - Pain Control With a TENS Machine

Ever heard of a TENS machine? "TENS" is an abbreviation for "transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation". For those women who are fearful of labor pains, this machine is a godsend. Used just before the birth of your baby, this machine can make the difference between very painful and "bearable". This is an excellent tool for mothers who believe in delivering a baby without drug-relief.

What the TENS machine does is it tricks your brain (by stimulating your nervous system) into thinking that your body is experiencing tons of pain, hence your body tries to compensate by releasing endorphins (chemicals that act as your body's natural form of pain relief).

Now, the TENS machine is normally used a couple of hours prior to child birth and you attach to your skin, around the lower spine area. It takes around an hour or so till your body builds up enough endorphins to combat the pain and you can control the intensity of the machine via a hand-held remote control. The intensity comes in the form of electrical impulses that sends signals through your nervous system all the way up to your brain.

There has been no reported side effects of using a TENS machine, and if you're worried that it might affect your baby, don't. The electrical signals do not go deep enough into your skin to reach the baby and it is completely safe.

You can hire a TENS machine from your hospital so get it a few hours before labor and start off with a lower intensity. Some women like to have it running all the way through to the final stages of labor, whilst increasing the impulse intensity each time painful contractions are felt, so as to further increase endorphin levels.

Studies have shown that mothers who have utilized the transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation machine earlier on in the labor don't require the use of anesthesia as the pain is effectively managed.

Hopefully this article has been helpful to you. If you would like to check out other great articles on sports-related injuries by the same author, you may view his latest posture corrective brace report on the shoulder brace website.

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