Mama TENS Resources

This page contains links for brochures and forms plus useful information related to labour and pain.

Forms, Documents & Information

Back pain in labour

Back pain seems to be an inevitable part of pregnancy. Is it something to be endured along with tiredness or are there ways to manage or prevent back pain?

Research has suggested that 50 to 80% of all pregnant women are reported to suffer back pain at some time during their pregnancy. This may not be surprising considering the huge changes which occur in a woman’s body. Weight gain, increase in fluid, postural shifts and hormones have all been blamed.

If you’ve had a previous injury, back problem or suffered back pain before you became pregnant you are more at risk of back problems when pregnant. If you do a lot of repetitive lifting or bending, either in your work or when caring for a toddler – this also puts you at a greater risk. Stress caused by physical or emotional problems can also exacerbate pain.

The two most common types of pregnancy related pain are lower back or posterior (back of) pelvis. Activities such as walking and running, rolling over in bed, bending forward, twisting, lifting and climbing stairs can all aggravate pain.

Remember preventing back problems is easier than trying to cure backache once it’s started. Pregnant women’s posture alters significantly as the weight of the baby increases, the mothers centre of gravity alters. Weight at the front tends to make women lean backwards, thrusting their shoulders back and stomach out thus creating an excessive curve in the lower back. This causes significant strain in the lumber spine which can lead to back pain.

Help yourself by:

Taking short periods of rest combined with activity
Strengthening your back and muscles with pre natal yoga, or swimming
Correcting your posture
Make your environment or workspace posture friendly
Wear comfortable soft-soled shoes or insoles
Sit with small cushion placed at the lower back
Lie on your side with a cushion between the knees and ankles and the abdomen supported by a banana or pregnancy pillow
Use ice or heat on the painful area
Have a prenatal remedial massage
Use a TENS (transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation)
Try a pregnancy support belt or sacroiliac belt

Hormonal changes during pregnancy cause the ligaments to soften and increase mobility in the joints. The pelvis naturally widens to enable the foetus to pass through the birth canal more easily. This can cause problems as the pelvis is particularly vulnerable to miss-alignment due to the increase in load, and softened ligaments. In conjunction with lengthening of the abdominal muscles, this results in increased joint mobility, pain and decreased stability. There are pregnancy back supports available which may provide an increase in joint stability and alleviate low back and posterior pelvic pain.

Most common pain relieving drugs are unsuitable during pregnancy, or have unwanted side effects.
Try some drug free methods of pain relief such as a TENS machine, acupuncture or massage. TENS (Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation) is safe to use whilst pregnant and has no side effects. The TENS machine is user friendly and up to 90% effective instantly. Just apply the self adhesive electrodes to your back and turn the machine on until you feel a pleasant buzzing sensation. mama TENS is easy to use at home and safe for mum and baby. Women often use obstetric TENS for pain relief in childbirth, yet forget that it the ideal method to treat aches and pains whilst pregnant. The Mama TENS machine is a good all round maternity TENS for back pain in pregnancy and labour pain. A combination of treatments such as massage, TENS machine, acupressure points and yoga give a holistic approach to a complex problem. Up to 100% health fund rebates are available for mama TENS machine hire or purchases depending on your level of cover.

If back pain persists or you experience sciatica consult your Doctor. You may also like to consult a physiotherapist, chiropractor, Osteopath or acupuncturist for treatment if symptoms persist.

Prenatal yoga for backs

Pelvic Tilts (for abdominal muscles): The pelvic tilt can be performed while lying on your back (if under 20 weeks), or standing against the wall (if over 20 weeks). Ensure your back is against the floor or wall with knees bent, feet resting on the floor. Place your hand in the small of your back, to find a space between your back and the floor or wall. Inhale and try to flatten the lower part of the spine against the floor, or wall. The buttocks should be relaxed in order to isolate the abdominal's. Exhale to release back to neutral spine.
Cat pose (for spinal flexibility): Start on hands and knees with a neutral spine. As you breathe in tilt the tail bone towards the ceiling and open the front of your chest as you look up. On the exhale reverse this curve. Push the hands into the floor to arch your back upwards, tucking tailbone under. Keep moving the whole spine a fully as possible in both directions in time with your breath.
Hamstring stretches: Stay on hands and knees. Inhale to extend your leg backwards so the toes touch the floor. Gently press your heel towards the ground and hold for a count of ten.
Hip circles (for pelvis and lower back): Stay on hands and knees, or stand up to perform pelvic rotations. Circle your pelvis in all directions.
Arm and Leg Raises (for back muscles and buttock): Kneel on your hands and knees with a straight spine. Lift your right arm forwards and left leg backwards to form a straight line with your spine. Pause in this position and breath. Ensure your pelvis is tucked under to stabilise the spine. Slowly release and lower your arm and leg. Alternate lifting the opposite arm and leg. If you have difficulty keeping your balance in this position, modify the exercise by performing only the leg or arm raises separately.
Kegels (for pelvic floor muscles): To exercise the pelvic floor muscles, try to imagine you are stopping urinating mid flow. Pulling the muscles of the vaginal area up and inwards. You should not feel your buttocks, thighs, or abdominal's tightening as you do this.
Frog pose (for back stretch) : Start on your hands and knees, with your knees wide apart and toes touching. Place your hands forward just a little in front of your head. Place a firm pillow under your buttocks to give support if needed. Sit back on your legs, buttocks to heels and stretch your arms forward to feel a stretch along the spine. Breathe and hold for a count of ten.
Wall Squats I (for abdominal muscles, buttock muscles and thigh muscles): Stand with your head, shoulders, and back against a wall with your feet about 1 to 2 feet away from the wall. Press your lower back into the wall and squat as if you were going to sit down, with the knees approaching a 90-degree angle. Come back up slowly, keeping your back and buttocks in contact with the wall.
Wall Squats II (for pelvic stability: stand against the wall as for previous pose. Take a firm pillow or block between your knees and squeeze. Do not hold your breath or clench your teeth. Hold for a count of ten. Take a strap or soft belt around your thighs, and secure it at hip width. Pull your knees apart so your thighs are bracing against the belt to prevent your legs moving wider than the hips. Breathe and hold for a count of ten.
Seated twists (for lower back): Sit on a chair sideways. Inhale as you lengthen your spine. Exhale and turn to the side taking hold of the back of the chair. Breathe and hold for a count of ten. Repeat on other side.

Natural ways to induce labour

If you are full term and in danger of being medically induced you may like to try some natural methods to trigger an overdue labour.

Home treatments

Nipple stimulation – twiddling the nipples for 15 minutes or more stimulates the release of oxytocin, the hormone responsible for uterine contractions.
Sex – followed by lying on your back with a pillow under your bottom for at least 30 minutes. Semen is rich in prostaglandin which ripens the cervix. Midwives often use a prostin pessery containing prostaglandin to medically induce labour. Also if you’re lucky enough to have an orgasm as well, this will often start labour spontaneously.
Spicy curry – This is a purgative and will stimulate the digestive system. Have as hot a curry as you can stand.
Massage cervix – Midwives will often use a membrane sweep. You can try massaging the cervix yourself but be gentle. Method - 2 o'clock spot on cervix, rub for as long as 30 min, slowly and gently.
Homeopathy – take Caulophyllum 30c every 30 minutes until contractions start. Then every hour until established in labour.
Evening primrose oil – use gel capsules, take 3 x daily orally. Or 2-3 capsules high in the vagina and rest. Repeat 2-3 x 24hr intervals to ripen the cervix.
TENS – try a Mama TENS machine. Attach electrode pads to the back as described in instructions and leave on rest mode. Use for 30 – 60 minutes twice daily. Once in labour use the Mama TENS machine to relieve pain as instructed. Use 30mA current to acupressure points “spleen 6" (lower leg) and "liver 3" (foot).
Blowing up balloons - builds up intra-abdominal pressure and can put more pressure on the cervix to move things along.
Eat pineapple - There seems to be general agreement that pineapple and its bromelain components do have a fibrolytic action, perhaps helping to soften the connective tissue of the cervix.
Exercise – walking, running, bouncing on a birthing ball, yoga, swimming and climbing stairs. Also curb walking, I know it sounds funny, but I’ve women who swear by it! Walk along a curb, one leg up on the curb and one in the gutter, then turn around and go the other way.

Professional treatments

Acupuncture
Acupressure massage
Homeopathy
Herbalist
Cranio sacral therapy