TENS Machine Rental: Lavender & Mint Maternal Support Services

Elle TENS MAchine rental

Are you looking for drug-free pain relief in labor? The Elle TENS can be the perfect solution. It is becoming more and more popular among laboring women.

The Elle TENS machine is a fantastic option for pain relief during labor. It is specifically designed to be a safe but effective source of pain management during birth and is arguably the best of its kind on the market. Through the small handheld remote, you have complete control over the mild electrical impulses that stimulate nerve fibers through 4 pads placed over the skin on your back. All of the settings are pre-set, so there is no guesswork or fuss, just optimal pain relief when and where you need it! Although these machines are more commonly found in the UK, Australia and Canada, I’m super excited to announce that I managed to get my hands on one here in New York so you too can experience the relief this device offers during labor and in the early postpartum period.

5 week TENS machine rental $80

(plus A fully refundable $60 deposit)

I’ll even extend your rental, free of charge if your baby decides they are in no rush to arrive.

The Deets

5 week Elle TENS Machine rental delivered approximately 3 weeks prior to EDD
FREE rental extension period until baby arrives
FREE delivery & pick-up available within 25 miles of Waterloo, NY. If you reside outside of that radius, please contact me for general delivery/pick-up options.
4 Large maternity electrode pads, brand new and good for 30 uses
2 Lead wires (& 1 extra)
2 Spare AA batteries
Neck lanyard & a soft carrying pouch to keep everything together
Paper instructions with a pad placement chart & an in-person demo
A guide to drug free pain relief

ELLE TENS BENEFITS

It’s easy to use.
You control it.
No unwanted side effects.
Recommended by midwives.
It’s portable and non-invasive.
It’s safe for you and your baby.
It can safely be used with monitoring.
You can continue moving while using it.
You can put it on or take it off as needed.
It will help you stay relaxed and in control.
It can be used for a home or hospital birth.
It’s an effective method of drug-free pain relief.

ELLE TENS FEATURES

3 units in 1: Treats birth pain, general pain, & postpartum pain
Large LCD screen
Pre-set modes for easy use & set up
Boost button for contractions & contraction timer
Opti-max technology for extra power
Dual channel system
Necklace extension for increased mobility
Durable rotating belt clip

FAQ's

HOW DOES IT WORK?

TENS stands for Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation. It works by stimulating the nerves in your back through gentle, comfortable pulses. This stimulation suppresses the pain signal to the brain by interrupting those sensory nerve pathways during a contraction. This is known as the Gate Control Theory. Rebecca Dekker (I’ve linked to her page which has tons of studies) from Evidence Based Birth explains it great, “the Gate Control Theory says that there’s only a certain amount of stimuli that can get through to the brain. In other words, there is a “gate” that only lets so much sensory information through.” So, the TENS sends tiny, quick, localized pulses that produce a buzzing feeling in the muscles of your back to flood the pathways to the brain. This stops pain receptors in the uterus from sending signals to the brain aka closing their gate. It’s kinda like when you stub your toe and you start banging your hand on something to take the focus off your foot. Your brain can not decide which area to concentrate on, the contraction or your back, essentially making your pain receptor turn off.

The Elle TENS+ has three modes: birth, general, and pelvic floor stimulator (PFS). Another cool function is the built-in contraction timer in the birth mood which midwives and doctors really appreciate. Let’s focus on this birth mode for a second. It has two features: burst and boost. The first is the “burst” sensation which is a regular pattern that’s used while you’re not having a contraction. Then, when you feel a contraction about to start, you hit the “boost” button which will change those pulses and that stimulation in your back. This is what will trick your brain into going “whoa, what’s that” and focus on it, instead of the contraction. It won’t completely remove the pain of the contraction, but it will make it easier and more bearable. It also helps send out endorphins due a phenomenon termed Diffuse Noxious Inhibitory Control. Those constant pulses will make your brain think you are in pain, tricking it into flooding your body with its natural pain-relieving hormones. Endorphins are your own morphine supply, except 500x stronger, so these babies really help with the coping of labor.

In addition to all of that, a lot of women claim just having the remote and being able to control something during their labor really helped to ease anxieties. That remote, which has the boost button on it, is hooked up to 2 wires which lead to 4 electrode pads. These pads are what stick to your back and send out the pulses.

WHEN DO YOU USE IT?

At the onset of labor, simply apply the four pads to your back as shown in the accompanying instructions and switch the TENS machine on to start the pleasant pulsing sensation. When experiencing a contraction, press the booster button for the extra surge of power needed to combat the pain. When the contraction ends, press the booster button again – it is that simple!

The TENS needs to be in place for about 40 minutes before the full effectiveness can be felt. Sometimes, the effectiveness of the TENS machine is only realized once it has been removed. It can also be used for the duration of your birth and because the TENS machine doesn’t restrict your movement, you are able to use other comfort measures at the same time.

After your birth, the TENS can also be used for postpartum muscle pain anywhere on the body including 1-2 inches away from a cesarean scar.

CAN I USE IT AT THE HOSPITAL?

Absolutely! The TENS machine can be used in almost every birth. It is not only great for natural births, but also medically managed births or while awaiting an epidural or planned cesarean. These units are made specifically for obstetrics, so they don’t mess with any monitoring or medicines provided. That means it can be worn with an external fetal monitor (not internal) in place and can be especially useful when you have limited mobility, or the baby is in a less than favorable position. Although the machine cannot be used if you have an epidural, it can be used before hand to help you in the earlier stages of labor before you are ready to be admitted to the hospital or later while you are waiting for the anesthesiologist.

WHAT ABOUT DURING A WATER BIRTH?

Yes, but not in the water itself. Because most midwives don’t advise their patients to get into the water until they are at least 4-5 cm dilated and in active labor, the TENS may be used up until that point. It can-not be used in the water or with hydrotherapy though.

Can I take it on and off if I use the shower?

Yes, the pads are reusable and can be removed and placed on the backing they came on. Remember to dry your skin off before placing the pads back on.

Can I use my Elle TENS after my birth?

Yes. Elle TENS machines have been cleverly designed for use after labor too. You can use your machine for:

Shoulder pain from breast feeding
Menstrual pain
Back pain
After pains
Post-operative pain following a caesarean section

Can I test the machine before I go into labor?

Yes, when receiving your TENS machine, we will go through all the contents of the package together. It is pretty easy to use with all its modes already pre-set, but I will give you a live demo so that you are familiar with how it works and the sensation it produces. It’s a great idea to familiarize yourself with the machine before you’re in labor. The pads are designed to be used up to 30 times, so it won’t affect their stickiness. I recommend waiting until you’re 37 weeks or more before testing out your TENS.

I'm not due for a while, can I book now?

Yes, you’re welcome to pre-book your TENS machine at any time. Please check availability prior to booking and we’ll lock in your rental dates.

I'm due soon, can I still rent a TENS?

Please check our availability. If we have a machine available, I can get it to you ASAP!

What if I go over my due date?

Our TENS rental is a 5-week hire. You will receive it approximately 3 weeks from your estimated due date, giving you an additional two weeks to deliver after that. We also allow up to a week for your machine to be returned after the rental period. I allow space between bookings if an extended rental is needed, so please keep me in the loop if you need to keep your machine longer.

How do I return my machine?

You have one week after your rental period is over to return your TENS machine. All you must do is contact me and we will set up a date/time for me to pick it up. I will also return your $60 deposit at this time.

ARE THERE ANY RISKS?

That’s the best part! There are no known side effects to momma or baby from TENS machine use after week 37. Due to the placement of the pads labor may be stimulated prematurely if used before then. You should avoid using the TENS machine if you have open wounds near pad placement sites, suffer from epilepsy or have a pacemaker.

TENS cannot be used:

On open wounds that would interfere with the placement of pads
If you have a history of epilepsy or seizures
If you have a pacemaker
While laboring in water (but these are easily taken on and off before and after water use)
With an epidural or if you have an internal fetal monitor (external fetal monitoring is fine)
Before the 37th week of pregnancy (unless labor has begun)

Jodi Guererri LMT

BASED IN GENEVA, NY

jodi@lavendermintdoula.com

SERVICING THE FINGER LAKES & ROCHESTER AREAS OF NEW YORK.