105: Using a TENS Machine During Labor

A TENS device is a small handheld device that has wires coming out of it that are attached to electrodes in pads that you stick to your skin. TENS stands for transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation. TENS units or machines are commonly used in patients who suffer from chronic pain.  A TENS machine works by sending electrical nerve stimulation through low voltage electrical impulses through the electrodes on your lower back. These devices were first used for women in labor in the 1970s, and today these devices are common for use during labor in the United Kingdom. The big question is, does a TENS machine really make a difference in labor? This episode examines the pros and cons of TENS machines and digs into the research and evidence available on their use.

Show notes: http://pregnancypodcast.com/episode105/

Thank you to Mommy Steps for their support of this episode. Mommy Steps makes insoles specifically for pregnancy. They have insoles for athletic shoes and ones for flats or boots. You can even heat them in your oven and mold them to your own foot to make you more comfortable and to prevent foot issues during pregnancy. Mommy Steps is offering an exclusive 20% off for listeners of the Pregnancy Podcast. To check them out go to http://pregnancypodcast.com/feet/ and enter the promo code FEET when you checkout.

Thank you to Aeroflow for sponsoring this episode. Aeroflow is a company that helps you get a breast pump through your health insurance. There can be some hoops to jump through to get a breast pump through your insurance but Aeroflow does all of this for you and makes it so easy. All you need to do is fill out a form that takes just a minute and they will contact your health insurance company and work out all the details, then they will get in touch with you to help you choose the right breast pump. To get started on ordering your pump go to http://pregnancypodcast.com/breastpump/

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