Elle TENS for Labour: My Personal Experience and Why I Recommend It to Every Central Coast Family
After 10 years as a birth educator and doula on the Central Coast, I've seen every pain management tool imaginable. But there's one piece of equipment I recommend to literally every single person I work with: the Elle TENS machine. And I'm not just recommending it because it works for my clients. I used it for both of my own births, and the difference it made was absolutely incredible.
Let me tell you why Elle TENS has become my go-to recommendation for drug-free labour pain relief.
My Elle TENS Story: Why I Almost Didn't Get One (And I'm So Glad I Did)
How I Almost Missed Out
I nearly didn't get a TENS machine for my first birth, which honestly still makes me laugh now.
My sister had used an Elle TENS for her birth, so when I was pregnant she kept telling me I should get one. At the time, I had no idea what it even was. I very much brushed it off with a "nah, I'll be fine" attitude, before I really started deep diving into pregnancy and birth. I was a birth educator. I knew all the techniques. I had this covered. A TENS machine felt unnecessary.
The Last-Minute Hire
Around 35 weeks, I finally looked into it properly. Did some research. Decided to hire one. And I am so glad I listened to her. Cheers, big sis.
My First Birth With Elle TENS
I put the TENS on early. Not because things were intense yet, but because I wanted to get ahead of it. Within about twenty minutes I could feel the shift. The contractions were still there, still strong, but more contained. More manageable.
And that boost button... far out. It became my entire coping strategy. I clung to that thing. I'd be waiting for the contraction like "is it time yet?", hovering over it, building my whole rhythm around pressing it the second it started. Stamp. Sway. Boost. Repeat. Sometimes I swear I couldn't hit it fast enough. It gave me something solid to latch onto when everything else felt big
My partner said I looked like I was in a trance. Stamp, sway, wait, boost button, breathe, stamp, sway, wait. Over and over.
The Shower Shift
I used the TENS for hours. It got me through early labour at home and well into active labour at the hospital.
Eventually, I decided I wanted to get in the shower and then the bath. I had to take the TENS off for that, obviously.
And honestly? I missed it. I actually cried when I couldn’t push the button any more purely because my focus of comfort was hitting that button! The warm water was lovely, but I kept thinking about that boost button. and as a result i started counting the tiles in the shower -1,2,3,4,5,6,7 and then repeat. So I do think the TENS helped me build a rhythm and an alternative coping tool as a result of the transition of spaces.
I used the water for a while, then got out and put the TENS straight back. I went back n forth for a while doing this, That combination of TENS worked brilliantly for me, until i was ready for the bath where I then birthed my baby and held them in my arms with sweet relief, a WTF just happened moment and OMG look what I just bloody did!!!.
My Second Birth
For my second baby, there was zero hesitation. I hired the Elle TENS early and had it ready to go for that moment when labour started to feel spicy. I knew exactly what I was getting and I was ready for it.
Same experience. Same obsession with the boost button. Same stamp-sway-wait-boost rhythm. My partner knew the drill by this point. He'd watch me get into my TENS zone and just let me do my thing.
Both my births were completely different experiences (different positions, different lengths, different everything), but the one constant? The Elle TENS machine getting me through.
What I Learned
I learned that even birth professionals can underestimate simple, effective tools. I learned that sometimes your sister knows what she's talking about (don't tell her I said that).
And I learned that the Elle TENS boost button is genuinely one of the most helpful pain management tools I've ever used. If my sister hadn't mentioned to me to hire one, I would have missed out on something that made a massive difference to both my labours.
So now? I'm that person. I'm the one telling every Central Coast family: "You NEED to get an Elle TENS." Just like my sister told me. Because it works. And I don't want anyone to nearly miss out on it like I almost did.
How a TENS Actually Works: The Gate Control Theory
So what's actually happening when you use a TENS machine? It's not magic. It's science. And understanding how it works makes it even more powerful.
The Gate Control Theory of Pain
Back in 1965, researchers Melzack and Wall proposed something revolutionary: the gate control theory of pain.
Here's the basic idea: Your spinal cord has a "gate" that controls which pain signals get through to your brain.
Think of it like a busy intersection. There are two types of signals trying to get through:
Pain signals (slow-moving, from C-fibres and A-delta fibres)
Touch/pressure signals (fast-moving, from A-beta fibres)
Here's the crucial part: The gate can only let so many signals through at once.
When you use TENS, you're flooding that gate with fast-moving touch and pressure signals. These signals get to the gate FIRST and take up all the space.
The pain signals? They get blocked. Or at least, significantly reduced.
This is why rubbing a sore spot makes it feel better. This is why counter-pressure works during labour. And this is why TENS is so effective.
How Elle TENS Applies Gate Control Theory During Labour
The Elle TENS machine sends gentle electrical pulses through electrode pads placed on your lower back. These pulses create a tingling, buzzing sensation on your skin.
That sensation? It's activating those fast-moving A-beta nerve fibres.
During a contraction, you press the boost button, which increases the intensity of the pulses. This floods the gate with even more non-pain signals, blocking more of the pain from getting through to your brain.
Between contractions, the TENS continues at a lower level, keeping the gate partially closed so you get ongoing relief.
But that's not all TENS does.
TENS also stimulates your body to release endorphins, your natural pain-relieving hormones. The electrical stimulation triggers your body's own pain management system.
So you're getting two mechanisms working together:
Blocking pain signals at the spinal level (gate control)
Increasing your body's natural pain relief (endorphins)
Why Elle TENS Specifically?
I've tried other TENS machines. I've seen clients use other brands. But Elle TENS is genuinely superior for labour, and here's why:
Purpose-Built for Labour
Elle TENS machines are designed specifically for obstetric use. They're not just regular TENS units marketed to pregnant people. They have:
Pre-programmed settings optimized for labour
Opti-Max boost mode designed specifically for contractions
Electrode placement guides for labour positioning
Easy-to-use controls (because you don't want to be fiddling with complicated settings during a contraction)
The Boost Button
This is the game-changer. When a contraction starts, you press the boost button and the intensity increases immediately. When the contraction ends, you release it and it goes back to the baseline level.
You're in complete control. You're actively managing your pain, which is incredibly empowering.
Quality and Reliability
Elle TENS machines are clinically tested, meet Australian safety standards, and are recommended by midwives and obstetricians globally.
I've never had a client have their Elle TENS fail during labour. They're reliable, which matters enormously when you're depending on it.
Portability and Mobility
The machine is small and light. You can clip it to your clothing and move freely. You can use it in any position, in the shower (with waterproof pads), in a birth pool (take it off first!), while walking, on hands and knees, everywhere.
This is crucial because movement and position changes are so important for labour progress.
When to Start Using Elle TENS (This Is CRUCIAL)
Here's where people get it wrong, and I need to be really clear about this:
Put your TENS on EARLY. As soon as you notice contractions.
Not when they're intense. Not when you're struggling to cope. Not when you're desperate. As soon as you stop and think "I'm feeling these," that's your signal. Put the TENS on.
Here's why this matters so much:
The Gate Control Theory Works Best Preventatively
Remember that gate we talked about? The one that controls which signals get through to your brain?
When you put TENS on early, you're closing that gate BEFORE the intense pain signals start flooding in. You're getting ahead of the pain. But if you wait until contractions are already intense, until the pain is overwhelming, the gate is already wide open. Pain signals are already getting through in high numbers.
At that point, TENS can help, but it's much harder to close a gate that's already been forced open. You're trying to block signals that are already established pathways.
This is where people think TENS "doesn't work"
I've had clients say "I tried TENS and it didn't help." When I ask when they put it on, the answer is always the same: "When labour got really intense and I was struggling."
Too late.
By that point, their pain pathways were already firing at full capacity. The TENS couldn't compete with the volume of pain signals already established. If those same people had put the TENS on in early labour when contractions first became noticeable, the story would likely be completely different.
The Build-Up Effect
TENS also works better the longer you use it. The endorphin release builds over time. Your body's pain management system needs time to kick in fully.
Starting early means you're building up that effect throughout labour, rather than trying to play catch-up when you're already in the thick of it.
My Recommendation
As soon as you notice regular contractions, even if they're still quite mild, put your TENS on.
You might feel silly putting it on when contractions are still manageable. Do it anyway.
You're not "wasting" it by using it early. You're using it strategically.
Start on a low setting. You can gradually increase it as labour progresses. By the time you're in active labour, you'll have been using it for hours and it'll be working at its maximum effectiveness.
Don't wait. Early is better.
Elle TENS Throughout Labour: My Recommendations
Early Labour:
Put your TENS on as soon as contractions are regular
Use the lowest comfortable setting
Get used to the boost button
Move around your home with it on
Active Labour:
Increase the baseline intensity as needed
Use the boost button with every contraction
Keep changing positions (TENS works in all of them)
Stay hydrated and rested when you can
Transition:
This is where TENS really proves its worth
Max out the settings if you need to
The boost button becomes your best friend
Focus on one contraction at a time
Second Stage (Pushing):
Many people keep TENS on during pushing
Some take it off because they're focused on bearing down
There's no right answer, do what feels right
Hire or Buy? The Central Coast Perspective
Elle TENS offers both hire and purchase options, and I recommend different things for different situations:
Hire if:
This is your first baby
You're not sure if you'll have more children
You want to try it without the full investment
Your due date is soon and you want it quickly
The hire process is simple: 4, 6, or 8-week hire periods with free return postage. You get it around 37-38 weeks, use it for labour, keep it for the hire period, then send it back.
Buy if:
You're planning more children
You want to practice with it beforehand
You like having your own equipment
You want to use it for other pain (TENS works brilliantly for period pain, back pain, and more)
Honestly? At $230-$259 for the Elle TENS 2 or Elle TENS Plus, I think purchasing makes sense for most families, especially if you're planning more than one child.
I've used mine for both labours, plus I've used it for period pain, back pain from carrying my kids, and even lent it to family members.
My Affiliate Partnership with Elle TENS
Full transparency: I'm an Elle TENS affiliate partner. This means when you purchase or hire through my link, I receive a small commission at no extra cost to you.
Why am I an affiliate?
Because I genuinely believe in this product. I used it for my own births. I recommend it to every single client. I've seen it make a massive difference for hundreds of Central Coast families.
I only partner with companies whose products I actively use and trust. Elle TENS is one of those companies.
Here's my affiliate link: https://elletens.com.au/BIRTHABILITY-CENTRALCOASTCHILDBIRTHEDUCATION
When you use this link, you get the same excellent Elle TENS product and service, and you support my work as a birth educator on the Central Coast. It's a win-win.
Which Elle TENS Model Should You Choose?
Elle TENS 2 ($230)
Designed specifically for labour
Boost button for contractions
Pre-programmed labour settings
Perfect for most people
Elle TENS Plus ($259)
Everything the TENS 2 has, PLUS
Can be used for pelvic floor stimulation postpartum
Can be used for general pain relief
More versatile if you want to use it beyond labour
My recommendation: If you're ONLY using it for labour, the TENS 2 is perfect. If you want something you can use postpartum for recovery and ongoing pain management, the Plus is worth the extra $29.
I have the Plus and I've definitely gotten my money's worth.
Real Results from Real Central Coast Families
I surveyed my recent Birthability clients who used Elle TENS. Here's what they said:
"I don't think I could have coped without it. The boost button got me through every single contraction." - Sarah, Gosford
"My partner felt so much more useful because he was in charge of the TENS. He'd increase it during contractions and it gave him something active to do." - Tom, Erina
"I went from planning an epidural to having an unmedicated birth because the TENS worked so well." - Rebecca, Terrigal
"I used it for 14 hours straight and it never failed. Best investment I made." - Michelle, Wyong
The feedback is consistently positive. And these aren't people who were committed to "natural birth at all costs." These are normal Central Coast families who just wanted effective pain relief.
Combining Elle TENS with Other Pain Management Tools
Here's what I love about TENS: it works brilliantly alongside everything else.
TENS + Optimal Maternal Positioning: Change positions freely while TENS works in the background. The combination is incredibly powerful.
TENS + Breathing Techniques: Use your breathing to work through contractions while TENS reduces the baseline pain.
TENS + Water: You can use TENS right up until you get in the bath or shower. Many people use it at home, take it off for a bath at hospital, then put it back on.
TENS + Epidural: If you decide you want an epidural, that's completely fine. TENS helps you cope while you're waiting for it.
TENS + Gas: TENS and nitrous oxide work well together. You're not doubling up on the same mechanism.
TENS doesn't lock you into any particular birth plan. It's just another tool in your toolkit.
Practical Tips for Using Elle TENS
From my own experience and from supporting countless births:
Practice beforehand: Put it on at home before labour. Get familiar with the controls. Find the right intensity levels. You don't want to be figuring this out during contractions.
Electrode placement matters: Follow the Elle TENS guide for placement on your lower back. The position affects how well it works.
Start low, increase gradually: You can always turn it up. Starting too high means you have nowhere to go later.
Use the boost button liberally: That's what it's there for. Every single contraction.
Fresh batteries: Make sure you have fresh batteries in the unit. Have spares in your hospital bag.
Bring extra electrode pads: The pads can lose stickiness during a long labour. Having a backup set means you can swap them out if needed.
Why I Recommend Elle TENS to Every Central Coast Family
After using Elle TENS for my own births and recommending it for 10 years, I can say with complete confidence: this is one of the most effective, accessible, safe pain management tools available for labour.
It's drug-free, so there are no side effects for you or baby.
It's non-invasive, so there's no risk associated with medical interventions.
It's portable, so you can move and change positions freely.
It's affordable, especially compared to the cost of other pain relief options.
And most importantly? It WORKS. When you use it correctly (early!), it genuinely makes a difference.
I don't recommend products lightly. I only partner with companies whose tools I actually use and believe in. Elle TENS is one of those rare products that genuinely delivers on its promises.
Ready to Get Your Elle TENS?
If you're pregnant on the Central Coast and want to give yourself the best chance of managing labour pain naturally and effectively, I strongly encourage you to get an Elle TENS machine.
Purchase or hire through my affiliate link: https://elletens.com.au/BIRTHABILITY-CENTRALCOASTCHILDBIRTHEDUCATION
Whether you choose to hire for 4-8 weeks or purchase to keep, you're making an investment in your birth experience.
And if you want to learn how to use your Elle TENS as part of a comprehensive birth preparation strategy including optimal maternal positioning, breathing techniques, and partner support, that's exactly what I teach in Birthability classes.
Elle TENS plus solid birth education equals a powerful combination for feeling confident and prepared for your Central Coast birth.
Questions about Elle TENS or how to incorporate it into your birth plan? Contact me at Birthability. I'm always happy to talk about this stuff. Got a tens and not sure where to place pads? https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=miQcR2anidk This handy video can help.
Birthability provides evidence-based birth education on the Central Coast, NSW, and proudly recommends Elle TENS machines for drug-free labour pain relief. I'm an affiliate partner with Elle TENS, which means I receive a small commission when you purchase or hire through my link, at no extra cost to you. I only recommend products I personally use and trust.
Disclaimer: TENS machines are generally safe for use during labour, but if you have a pacemaker, epilepsy, or other medical conditions, check with your care provider first. TENS should not be used before 37 weeks gestation or used on your abdomen during pregnancy.
