info on tens units

carre46 · 07-08-2007, 09:29 PM

One of my clients is interested in using a TENS unit during her labor. I am really not experienced in that area and was wondering if anyone had any information about them or if anyone has used them before. Anything you can share would be helpful. Thanks so much!

helpinghands · 07-08-2007, 10:59 PM

I have had a hard time getting clients access to TENS units... drs act like they don't know what they are..red tape..yadda, yadda, yadda.. My dh has one from his physical therapy, (really nice..over 800 dollars; yikes). I may try it out late pregnancy with aches and pains and see how it is with my birth..and I will let you know if it helps.

I wouldn't offer it to a client, because I am not trained to use it; however, it is pretty simple. New pads for each person and the person using it controls the intensity. I had one on my back at the chiro a few years ago and it felt lovely.

I think it is a YMMV but I would be curious to hear others' experience with TENS and if anyone had luck with getting a dr. to presecribe one or if they bought one from DONA or some other misc. place.

Waiting...

AmandaB · 07-08-2007, 11:32 PM

OK ladies Amanda is here to help.
To offer or purchase a TENS machine you need to attend a TENS training. Patricia Predmore from DONA (education director) offers them. You can also purchase a unit called the "lady TENS" or "baby TENS" and it is designed specifically for women in labour and it is only 140 dollars CND from DoulaCARE INC (www.doulacare.ca). It is a really great device and many of our clients have had great success in using them. It is a handed controller with a single dial along with a pulse or continuous setting. Check them out. But note that you do need to take the training along with the written test in orser to buy one and teach clients how to use it. I hope this helps.

scarborogal · 07-09-2007, 12:21 AM

Well, I will beg to differ on one thing Amanda said. I was trained by Pat Predmore at a conference back in April but I did not write a test to buy it or use it. I also have my clients sign a waiver during the prenatals and discuss it with them then before we ever need it. It works excellently if the client is having back labour. My last client could not have an epi due to a medical condition and was having severe back pain and was calmed right down with the TENS maching. I love it.
Here is a link that talks about the specific one that I have from Doulacare.ca.
http://www.babycaretens.com/acatalog...TENS_Hire.html

DoulaCBE · 07-09-2007, 12:46 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Amandoula1980

OK ladies Amanda is here to help.
To offer or purchase a TENS machine you need to attend a TENS training. Patricia Predmore from DONA (education director) offers them. You can also purchase a unit called the "lady TENS" or "baby TENS" and it is designed specifically for women in labour and it is only 140 dollars CND from DoulaCARE INC (www.doulacare.ca). It is a really great device and many of our clients have had great success in using them. It is a handed controller with a single dial along with a pulse or continuous setting. Check them out. But note that you do need to take the training along with the written test in orser to buy one and teach clients how to use it. I hope this helps.

To buy them through Pat or DONA that may be true. But you can buy Lady Tens online, no RX or training required. Now it would be wise to have some training before you offer them to clients, but since the entire unit is self regulated and administered it's really no different than massage or other coping techniques, except for expense.

carre46 · 07-10-2007, 05:56 PM

Thanks for the info so far ladies. The client who wants to use one has a husband who's a physical therapist, that's where she is getting hers from so I don't know what I'd do as far as training and such. I'll keep researching though...thanks again!

FLLucinda · 07-10-2007, 11:55 PM

I have also wondered about tens units for labor. I have had experience in having one used on me during physical therapy on my lower back. Used along with ice or heat it really breaks up the pain cycle. I loved it!

1stimestar · 07-11-2007, 01:38 AM

You can rent them from the medical supply here. I had one client use one when I lived down in the lower 48. It didn't seem to help HER much but I do think they would be helpful to some clients.

celebratelife! · 07-11-2007, 10:07 AM

I had a client use her own (she used it for recovery from back surgery), and her husband just applied the little pads, and she controlled the dials, so no work for me! So, if this woman's husband is a physical therapist, he'll know exactly where to place them- it'll be like going to a training! It helped my client during the first half of labor, then she lost interest in it.

Babycatcher · 07-14-2007, 07:45 PM

Great thread!! I have always been intrested in this!! Thanks for all the info!

bparrish · 07-14-2007, 08:46 PM

This is where Penny Simkin gets hers:

I have ordered mine through them. It takes a little while to get them in because they come from England. I'd like some input though and responses to this article that mentions the use of TENS. What do you think?

Babycatcher · 07-15-2007, 01:16 AM

I disagree with the article. There is another unit similar to the TENS unit that connects to your earlobes and uses that same current that TENS uses, and it also increases endorphines and most importantly regulates the brain's natural function, so the brian's chemical imbalance is put back in place. It has been used to treat depression and bipolar successfully, and *some* anxiety cases. I am not sure how effective the TENS unit would be on labor, but I whole heartedly believe that it does increase endorphines and can have a positive effect. I do not believe that therapy to be dangerous.

As far as pain relief, I think more trauma can be done by refusing her pain meds when she needs it, than by catering to her when she has had enough. I am SO proud I had a natural birth, but the epidural I recieved for the other two births did not leave me feeling like a failure, even though I really wanted a natural birth with them. That trauma of feeling like a failure can be avoided, I believe, with a good support system and praise. Everyone told me how strong I was and that I held out great, and they were impressed, etc.. So I felt like I was triumphant, even though I "caved"..

missilla · 07-15-2007, 12:00 PM

thanks everyone for the great info!!

familyway · 08-03-2007, 11:54 PM

I used one during my last pregnancy to deal with the pain from SPD and also during my labour. It worked wonderfully!

In my case, my dr wrote me a prescription for a rental TENS unit and a referral to a physiotherapist. I picked up the unit, went to the physio appointment and the therapist went over when and how to use that model, warning signs to watch out for and other helpful hints. I was lucky in that my insurance covered it almost completely, I think I ended up spending about $20 out of pocket for the whole thing.

lia · 08-04-2007, 08:44 AM

I had a client use it. She began using it before labour to help increase endorphins and then as she went into labour

She controlled the intensity during labour and she was coping beautifully until her OB walked in and said that the TENS was cr@9! that if she needed relief she should get one of his super duper epidurals. After that the whole labour nosedived.

Other clients swear by it so IMO it works. I never used any pain relief other than the mental image of strangling my hubby after it was over

but if I were to need something in a future birth I would give it a shot.