TENS machine pads on a woman's lower back. Labour pain relief for Rockingham, Baldivis, and Mandurah families.

How to Use a TENS Machine in Labour: A Step-by-Step Guide for Rockingham, Baldivis and Mandurah Families

Why Learning to Use a TENS Machine Before Labour Matters

If you’re planning a natural, physiological or drug-free birth, you’re probably looking for ways to stay grounded, comfortable and in control. A TENS machine is one of the most effective tools for early labour, especially for women wanting to move freely and work with their body’s rhythm.

Using a TENS machine correctly is simple, but there are a few key steps that make a significant difference. This guide will walk you through how to use it from the very first tightenings through to active labour, with practical insights from my own births and the families I support across Rockingham, Baldivis, Mandurah and surrounding areas.

If you’d like to understand what a TENS machine is and how it works, start with Blog 1 in this series.

When to Start Using a TENS Machine

The best time to put the TENS machine on is as soon as you notice early labour sensations such as:

period-like cramps
lower back ache
tightening across your belly
a shift in your baseline comfort
feeling like you need to focus more during contractions

The biggest mistake women make is waiting until contractions feel “strong enough”. TENS works by building up endorphins gradually, so early use is ideal.

During my second birth, I put the TENS on when I first noticed those early labour cramps. It helped me rest for a few more hours and made everything feel more manageable. I only realised how much it was supporting me when I briefly took it off to get in the shower. The difference was immediate.

How to Use Boost Mode During Contractions

Both the Elle TENS and Obi TENS have a boost button designed specifically for labour.

When a contraction begins, press boost
When the contraction ends, press it again to return to baseline

This creates a rhythmic cycle that helps you stay anchored and focused.
Most women find the boost becomes essential as labour progresses.

Neither of these units includes a contraction timer, which is a positive thing. Birth is not linear and timing contractions can pull you out of your body and into your head. A timer encourages comparison instead of instinct. You want to feel your labour, not measure it.

How to Apply the TENS Pads

Clean and dry the skin

Avoid lotions, oils or moisturiser on your back. They reduce pad adhesion.

Identify the four placement points

You will place the pads on either side of your spine, roughly between the bra line & the top of your sacrum.

The pads sit vertically and never across the spine.

Apply the top two pads

Place them on the fleshiest part of the lower back, just above where you feel the strongest sensations.

Apply the lower two pads

These sit closer to the sacrum. Adjust them slightly until the pulses feel even and balanced.

The pads sit vertically and never across the spine.

Connect the leads and switch the machine on

Start on a low setting and increase until you feel a comfortable, steady sensation.

You are aiming for supportive, not intense.

Example

Elle TENS Instructional Video from BabyCare

Book your TENS Hire

Support your body’s natural rhythm with a TENS machine designed for labour.
Both units are easy to use, safe, and effective from early labour through to postpartum recovery.

Elle Tens Hire

4-week hire: $50

Obi Tens Hire

4-week hire: $40

Available for easy local collection in Rockingham, perfect for Mums from Mandurah to Perth.
Choose between a 4, 5 or 6 week hire period.

Positions That Work Well With a TENS Machine

TENS supports an active labour, so you can move freely. Some of the most helpful positions include:

leaning over a bench or birth ball
side lunges
hip circles
standing sways with your partner
all-fours
slow walking
supported squats
positions using a birth sling for upright and active positions

Because the pads stay on your back, you remain hands-free and mobile the entire time.

Practical Tips for Using TENS at Home and in Hospital

At Home

Put the machine on early
Combine TENS with dim lighting and slow breathing
Use movement and warmth for added comfort
Keep spare batteries close
Only remove the TENS if you’re getting into water

In Hospital

Keep the TENS on during the drive
Let midwives know you’re using it as you arrive
Remove it only if you choose a water shower or bath
Reapply it immediately afterwards to keep the endorphin cycle going

Most midwives across Perth are very familiar with TENS machines and actively encourage them because they support mobility and reduce the need for medical pain relief.

Can You Use a TENS Machine After Birth?

Yes. Many women find TENS helpful for afterbirth pains in the first few days postpartum, especially during breastfeeding.
I used mine for this exact reason after my second baby. It took the edge off and made feeding more comfortable.

Where to Hire a TENS Machine in Rockingham, Baldivis and Mandurah

If you want to practise before labour and feel confident using the device, hiring your TENS early is ideal. You can hire locally through me, Mother Mother Doula:

For families planning an active or physiological birth, you may also like to add: