Posts Tagged ‘labour’
Thursday, July 15th, 2010
TENS machine is a popular and effective method of pain management used by women who have had a Caesarean Section.
The aim of TENS machines is to reduce the intensity of the post-operative Caesarean abdominal pain and to help keep the mother alert, who is then able to attend to the newborn baby; avoiding the secondary effects of analgesic drugs over the mother-newborn relationship. Babycare TENS machines are specially designed for this purpose.
The treatment could not be more simple – just place two pairs of electrodes on the abdominal wall on each side of the incision line or as shown in the diagrams and instructions on page 21within our booklet – “A Women’s Guide to drug free pain relief.” It is recommended that you use a dedicated Babycare TENS machine during this procedure. It is a safe product and is specially designed for this purpose.
Babycare TENS machines can also be used in conjunction with other methods of pain control e.g. pethidine or other post-operative medication if needed. If you have a Body Clock Stimplus unit you or your partner can also use it on the recommended ear points to help manage pain control as show under the Ear Point treatment section or use acupressure on those points, as shown on page 21 of our Guide.
Recent Research
Lantsev EA, Smirnov AA. The use of transcutaneous electric neurostimulation for postoperative analgesia in parturients undergoing caesarean section. Anesteziol Reanimatol. 1990 Nov-Dec;(6):66-9. The study was performed in 210 women with caesarean section. In 160 patients analgesia was performed with transcutaneous electrical neurostimulation and in 50 patients narcotic analgesics were used. It has been established that both techniques ensure adequate analgesic effect. At the same time transcutaneous electrical neurostimulation, ensuring good to excellent analgesia in 77.5% of women, has no negative effect on haemodynamics and respiratory function and accelerates rehabilitation processes.
Navarro Nuñez C, Pacheco Carrasco M. Transcutaneous electric stimulation (TENS) to reduce pain after cesarean section. Ginecol Obstet Mex. 2000 Feb;68:60-3. This study supports previous findings reporting that transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation induces a decrement of 50% on the total amount of analgesic drugs employed. Transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation showed to effectively reduce the intensity and duration of pain of cutaneous origin, as well as to reduce pain associated with voluntary movements, in all patients. Our results are indicative that transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation constitutes an alternative treatment in order to reduce postoperative pain during the immediate period following cesarean birth; reduces the requirements of analgesic drugs; helps on keeping alert the mothers and therefore able to attend the newborn; and avoids secondary effects of analgesic drugs over mother-newborn relationship.
Tags: Caesarean, labour, pain relief, pregnancy, stimplus tens, TENS, womans guide
Posted in Caesarean Section, TENS Machines for Labour | No Comments »
Thursday, April 22nd, 2010
It was going to be our first birth. When we saw those two little lines appear on the pregnancy test we were thrilled as we had been trying for just under a year to conceive, yet it didn’t start to feel real until we saw that little heartbeat on our first scan. Then with the first few kicks things got much more real but it wasn’t until our birth classes that we really felt that the big day was close.
In the classes they went through all the things one may experience in the hospital and all the pain relief options that would probably be available. I loved the idea of the birthing pool so decide to investigate a birthing centre as opposed to delivering in an actual hospital. After a bit of research, a few calls and a couple of visits, we were booked in at our local birthing centre.
The special day arrived, my contractions seemed to appear out of nowhere. My waters hadn’t broken and I had no show. My contractions at this stage were 6 minutes apart, 30 seconds each and very bearable. I exclaimed to my husband “Gosh if they stay like this for a while I wont need any pain relief for ages!” However, he reminded me that the TENS machine was most effective if you used it from the beginning of labour. So he placed the electrodes of my snazzy looking Elle TENS on my back. It felt very comfortable especially with the unit around my neck. I got into a good rhythm…contraction…BOOST…and relax…contraction…BOOST…and relax. It felt like a warm massage and worked quite well with me bouncing on my yoga ball also.
The contractions seemed to be getting stronger but i remained feeling in control. We decided to go to the birthing centre. I continued with the TENS machine in the car which was very helpful as it gave me a focus whilst not being in my favourite position.
Once at the birthing centre, they checked me and saw that I was 5cm and said I can go into the birthing pool now. But I didn’t want to. Although the contractions had got more painful, I felt like I was getting great relief from the TENS machine and that I was still very much in control of my pain.
Over the next couple of hours I walked and bent on all fours through the contractions starting each one with a BOOST on my TENS machine. The midwife asked me again if I wanted to get in the birthing pool as that was the main part of my birthing plan but I didn’t, I was doing so well with my Elle TENS.
Things began to get more intense, the midwife checked me again and I was 81/2 cms. I decided to introduce the Opti Max…WOW what a boost of extra energy! I was amazed! It really did give that bit more required for the end.
All of a sudden I felt the urge to squat and push. The midwives presented a birthing stool which abled me to remain upright and in a very encouraging position for the baby to come down quickly. I couldn’t believe that the TENS machine got me all the way to this point. I kept using it throughout the pushing stage. Finally, after a big push the midwives smiled and said “Yes!The head is here!Well done!”…after a few more pushes, my very first, delicious baby flew out in a heap. I couldn’t believe it! I’d done it and TOTALLY naturally! I was over the moon. I think at that stage I was more elated by having a natural birth with just my Elle TENS than having a beautiful little girl!
If I have another baby I will definitely use the Elle TENS machine – it was incredible!
Tags: childbirth, elle tens, labour, maternity tens machine, pain relief
Posted in Elle TENS - for the digital lady who likes control, TENS Machines for Labour | No Comments »
Wednesday, April 21st, 2010
You and your partner are sitting at the table having dinner. All of a sudden she exclaims “What’s that?”, you answer “What?”, she replies “That trickling of water down my leg?”
Her waters have just broken and after 20 minutes her contractions begin. Both of you are excited, nervous and curious of how this labour/childbirth experience is going to pan out.
You notice that your wife goes into organisation mode, getting out the yoga ball, CD player and calming CD, ensuring her water and sweets are at hand and that the TENS machine and electrodes are on the table. She suddenly starts bouncing on the yoga ball, you ask her if she’s practising or having an actual contraction…she doesn’t answer, you reason that she’s gone into that inward focus thing you both heard about in the Childbirth classes.
Midst all this she hasn’t asked you to put the TENS machine electrodes on her, YET this is the crucial time when to get them in place. Once you are sure that your partner has completed the contraction, demonstrated by a relaxation from bouncing on the yoga ball and a general look of ‘I’m not in pain any more’, suggest you put the electrodes on her straight away. The sooner the TENS machine gets to work the better as it takes a little time for it to stimulate one’s own natural pain killing chemicals and the TENS machine is developed to follow the stages of your labour starting from the beginning.
It’s best that you and your partner, prior to labour, have a verbal agreement that you, the husband, are going to suggest early on to put the electrodes on her, therefore if she’s very focussed and you’re getting the feeling she doesn’t want you to interfere then you’ll know THIS was definitely pre-agreed.
Tags: childbirth, labour, maternity tens machine, tens electrode
Posted in Electrodes | No Comments »
Tuesday, April 20th, 2010
TENS machine are fantastic pieces of equipment helping so many women throughout their labour. However, wrong application and re-application of electrodes can result in a less effective experience. Here are a few pointers of how to get the best results from your electrodes:
APPLICATION OF ELECTRODES
- Before applying or removing your electrodes ALWAYS ensure your unit is switched off.
- Clean the area where you wish to apply the electrodes with soap and water, rinse off and then dry well. You should have had the option of buying a pre-TENS application gel when you purchased your TENS machine, if you do not have this you can purchase it separately off the Babycaretens site.
- BEFORE peeling the electrode pads off their packet, remove the wires from the TENS machine and attach the electrode connectors to them. A mistake is to attach the electrodes to you first, this is NOT a shortcut, they will be pulled and stretched and wear away fast.
- Grip the edge of the electrode and carefully peel it off the packet. Retain the packet in a clean bag for storage. Dirty packets will negatively affect your electrodes when placed back onto them.
- Place the electrodes with the wires hanging down to the appropriate area. When applying them, place the centre of the electrode onto the skin first and then smooth down the electrode edges. Attach all electrodes to your skin then attach the wires to the TENS machine.
REMOVAL OF ELECTRODES
- Switch off the TENS unit and disconnect the wires from the unit.
- Remove the electrodes by carefully peeling from the electrode edge.
- Return to the packet, centre first and smoothing the edges, just the same way you placed them on your skin.
- Disconnect the electrode connectors from the TENS machine’s wires.
- Store in a re-sealable bag in a cool place out of direct sunlight.
RE-APPLYING ELECTRODES
- If the adhesive becomes over-saturated, allow the electrodes to air dry in a refrigerator with the adhesive side up until the gel retains its tackiness and use your spares. To avoid this it is best to ensure that the skin is always fully dry.
- If the electrode adhesive appears too dry, add a few drops of water and allow to rest at room temperature until tacky.
If you have found this helpful or have any questions please feel free to comment.
Tags: childbirth, labour, tens electrode
Posted in Getting the Best Results from your Electrodes | No Comments »
Tuesday, April 20th, 2010
If you have already had a child and had the privilege of using a TENS machine then you need not read further. If this is your first time using a TENS machine then you won’t know how it works and how the different options feel.
“Many studies have revealed that a sense of control is a major contributing factor to a woman’s birth experience and her subsequent well-being.” PubMed, 2003.
It has been discovered that women who feel more in control in labour are calmer, less tense and therefore more comfortable. A TENS machine is a precious unit that can instill a real sense of control and calm yet if one doesn’t know how to use it before labour, some of it’s advantages can be masked.
We therefore recommend to try out your TENS machine before use. One must not use it on the back but can try it on the forearm and get a very good feel for the different pulse sensations and an overall satisfying grasp of their TENS. All one needs to do is place the electrodes on their forearm as opposed to their back, read the instructions manual and start getting familiar. We suggest people buy two packs of electrodes, one for practise and one for the big day.
If you have done this before and felt this experience or article was helpful, please feel free to comment.
Tags: childbirth, labour, maternity tens machine, obstetric, pain relief, pregnant, tens electrode, TENS hire
Posted in Electrodes | No Comments »
Monday, April 19th, 2010
Our Femme TENS machine is for the lady who likes to be in control but prefers analogue to digital. It doesn’t have as many options as the Elle TENS machine but still has a large intensity range, boost button and the ability to affect one pair of pads and not the other.
For those who find dials quicker to use and more effective, this TENS machine is for them. There are two dials which adjust the speed and depth of the pulses and a removable boost button if you find that you don’t require it during the early stages of labour. If you know that your gown will have a belt this has a belt clip so will be fully suitable.
Tags: childbirth, elle tens, femme tens, labour, obstetric, TENS hire
Posted in Femme TENS - manual and in control. | No Comments »
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