No, unfortunately your TENS machine cannot get wet so it cannot be used with water.
However, there are still situations where you might want to use a TENS machine and still have a waterbirth.
Working The TENS Into Your (Water) Birth Plan:
Using the shower for pain relief in labour:
If you want to use the shower in early labour, you can take the TENS off and put it back on once you are completely dry – though we are also told people often do not do that twice because they find the TENS so helpful.
Using the pool or bath for pain relief during pushing:
If you want to have a waterbirth, most people prefer to use the TENS machine until transition and then get in the pool for the later stages. Most people find being submerged in the water offers topical relief on the perineum when pushing, but the TENS machine provides more pain relief overall. Which is why it is generally preferred to do a later switch to the water.
Keeping your options open:
If you are weighing up your choices, we recommend setting up the TENS and having it there and ready to use if you feel like the water isn’t offering the relief you’d hoped - or vice versa. Many of our customers say that knowing they have additional pain relief options there, should they wish to use them, offers them comfort in itself.
It is important to remember that the TENS machine isn’t water resistant, so if you are using water at any point, you’ll need to ensure you are completely dry before operating it again. Placing the electrodes on wet skin can also reduce the adhesiveness, which is something to consider when reapplying the pads. See our post on getting the most life out of your TENS electrode pads here.
𝘋𝘪𝘥 𝘺𝘰𝘶 𝘶𝘴𝘦 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘛𝘌𝘕𝘚 𝘮𝘢𝘤𝘩𝘪𝘯𝘦 𝘢𝘴 𝘸𝘦𝘭𝘭 𝘢𝘴 𝘸𝘢𝘵𝘦𝘳 𝘪𝘯 𝘺𝘰𝘶𝘳 𝘣𝘪𝘳𝘵𝘩?
Remember, You Control What You Feel!
Remember, You Control What You Feel!
