Natural Pain Relief for Labor

Although many mothers desire a natural birth with no pain medications we all secretly wish that there was something "natural" to just take the edge off a bit. I am here to tell you that there is! TENS units have been popular in the UK for natural pain relief for many years. Natural Care Midwifery offers TENS units for natural pain relief in labor. Most of my clients tell me that they can manage labor quite well until transition with the use of TENS. If you are planning to labor or birth in the birth pool you DO have to remove the TENS before getting in. (I'm laughing right now...because no one ever wants to take the TENS off once they have it on) You are probably wondering what it is and how it works...

TENS, Trancutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation is a little device that sends small amounts of electrical current to the surface of your skin. The small, sticky electrode pads are connected to the unit with a wire lead and the pads are placed on your low back in 4 different locations. The stimulation sends a pleasant sensation to the surface of your skin which helps intercept the pain message to your brain. TENS also increases your body's natural endorphins which are your body's natural pain killers. An added bonus is the "boost" button on the unit that allows you to give a little extra pain releif at the peak of the contracton. Most moms enjoy feeling that extra bit of control during a contraction. The unit is most effective if applied in early labor. We have several units for you to check out at 36 wks gestation so that you will have it when early labor starts. The unit has a neck strap and a belt clip so that you may use it hands free. You can learn more about the TENS unit in our Natural Pain Relief for Labor class held each quarter.