TENS unit

Annie · 08-24-2006, 03:18 PM

Hey-

Do any of you use a TENS unit for pregnancy or labor? Do you rent it out? I am looking for any info, suggestions, comments on this.

I will be bringing mine for us to use at the doula training workshop I am attending this weekend. I personally have a unit. I even got a company to donate all of the electrodes for everyone to try it out.

Since I have a unit I was thinking of maybe starting to rent it out, but I don't know all of the legalities involved with that nor do I have any instruction on using it for pregnancy or childbirth. Any ideas ladies?

Where do you feel is the best location to put the electrodes to be most helpful?

Do any of you have any info on how a TENS unit helps?

Just a few questions from me there

Thanks,
Annie

MindOverLaborDoulas · 08-24-2006, 03:27 PM

I've heard of it being used for pregnancy before, but I don't know how it works.

Sarah's dh has had a couple of different surgeries on his back this past year and they said that this is the last resort. They are scheduling surgery to place a permanent tens unit in his back under his skin! Makes me hurt thinking about it!!!

AussieDoula · 08-24-2006, 04:14 PM

I haven't used a TENS unit as a Doula yet, but I can't wait to start working with them in Australia (most of the hospitals have them).

Did your unit come with a manual? You should be really careful when using one. Although it is easy to learn and teach mamas how to use one, you should make sure you have researched it before using it on anyone (you can even test the effectiveness on yourself if you get menstrual cramps).

Never put the electrodes on the front or side of the neck, abdomen or places on the head which cause current to flow through the head.
You can find an electrode placement chart here that might be helpful.

Most commonly, the electrodes are placed on each side of the spine (one set at the level of T10-L1 and another set at the level of S2 to S4 - ?). I'll see if I can find a picture or diagram for that...

The electrodes put out mild electrical impulses across the skin, into the nerve fibres. The TENS impulses help your body produce its own endorphins and other chemicals/hormones which act as natural pain killers.

Mama controls the intensity of the current by turning and adjusting dials on the unit, which then causes a buzzing sensation.

AussieDoula · 08-24-2006, 04:17 PM

Here you go...

MindOverLaborDoulas · 08-24-2006, 04:44 PM

Aussie, I would hate to see how much stuff you have on your hard drive!!

tlcdoula · 08-24-2006, 04:45 PM

I don't have one and honestly have never seen one used.

AmandaB · 08-24-2006, 05:02 PM

I had a client use it in labour all the way to 7cms. I think you have to be trained to use it on clients. If clients rent one themselves, they have to put it on themselves. You could potentially hurt someone, as it is a medical device

earthgirl · 08-24-2006, 06:57 PM

I think it works best when used in early labor into active, but not so much if you start using it when you're already in active labor. I only had one client use it because they have them at this one particular hospital. (According to them~ the only hospital in the nation) It's nice b/c the Mom controls it.

AussieDoula · 08-24-2006, 07:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MindOverLaborDoulas

Aussie, I would hate to see how much stuff you have on your hard drive!!

DP was actually surprised at how little room all my Doula stuff takes up, but has promised me that as soon as I get everything on there organised properly into files and folders I am "allowed" to have a laptop, LOL!

Matrescence · 08-25-2006, 02:50 PM

I have one (it's missing at the moment from the move to the center

) I've used it on mommas twice and neither really cared for it... but... I think I was doing it (the continuous and pulse feature, during or in between contractions) wrong. I actually was using it just as the directions in the pamphlet stated but after talking with some of the other doulas here I think using it opposite of what the instructions say seems to be what women are liking.

Moonbubbles · 08-25-2006, 04:44 PM

I want to buy one, where did you ladies get your units? I'd like to get a smaller one, but with 4 leads. Any good sites? When I search tens units a TON of stuff comes up.
thanks

1stimestar · 08-25-2006, 05:32 PM

Search for Tens unit for labor.

1stimestar · 08-25-2006, 05:36 PM

Dang, I originally posted this in the wrong post.

I had to use a tens extensively while in recovery from car accident. Contact the manufacturer for information on using it during labor and birth. I know with my first child I asked the dr. about using my tens in labor. He said "Oh my, why would you want to shock the baby?" LOLOLOL I seriously laughed.

Oh and I just remembered that I had a client use one at a birth center once. It didn't do much but that was because she was in transition.

ImaMindOverLaborDoula2 · 08-26-2006, 12:09 AM

0k....so here's my

....... I'm certain that these units can be helpful to some degree......but here is some honest to goodness experience based stuff. Per Ashley's earlier reply.....My dh is getting ready to have one of these things implanted surgically, and I really don't feel that these things are anything to mess with unless you are certified to use them medically. They can cause some serious reactions with some patients.....i.e. tingling, numbness, and if a patient is already experiencing nerve problems such as psyatica (sp?) tens units can actually cause them to become worse if not used properly. Truly, I feel as if a good old fashioned elbow grease massage is much safer in a laboring environment than the use of one of these machines. Also....would this count as a medical intervention?? Sorry if I've offended anyone....I just have a hard time hearing about using one of these things around one of my clients considering what I've seen with dh's medical issues. on with the convo......

DL · 08-26-2006, 03:48 PM

I tend to agree with Sarah. I've been thinking that it's a medical intervention, myself, and wouldn't personally use it on a client. I know that my Chiropractor uses it on me after my adjustments in his office, combined with a heat lamp. I usually hurt quite a bit still right after seeing him, so it does feel so good on my aching muscles. They call it a "treatment". His trained staff usually places the electrodes on each side of my spine, sometimes on the back of my neck and sometimes on my upper/mid/lower back and monitor the output strength. I think that I like it turned up fairly high.

I wish they would do it on my knees, but I guess that that's not the correct treatment for them.

Sorry for the ramble!