Why I Love a TENS Unit for Labor: A Letter from a Birth Doula

Dear expecting moms,

There are so many tools talked about in birth spaces- ones aimed at providing relief, comfort, and ways to cope. As a doula, of course I want you to know all your options. So let’s talk about the TENS unit.

It’s not flashy. It doesn’t promise to take labor away. And yet, for many moms, it becomes a surprisingly steady and grounding tool during early and active labor.

For moms who desire an unmedicated and low-intervention birth, I’ve seen it firsthand help all the way through, from start to finish. For moms wanting an epidural, I’ve seen it be incredibly helpful in getting them to the point where they feel it's the right time.

First, a little context.

A TENS unit (which stands for Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation) sends small electrical pulses through pads placed on your back. I describe the sensation as a bit tingling or vibrating. You can choose the intensity and adjust it as needed. Units designed specifically for labor are simple to use and include a button you can press (for a different sensation) when a contraction begins—something that turns out to matter more than it might sound.

Here are a few of the ways a TENS unit can support labor:

1. It helps block pain signals to the brain.

The electrical pulses work by interrupting or competing with pain signals traveling along the nerves from the uterus and cervix. In simple terms, the sensation from the TENS unit can make it harder for the brain to fully register the intensity of contraction pain. It doesn’t erase sensation—but it can soften the edges.

2. It helps encourage the release of endorphins.

Endorphins are the body’s natural pain relievers, and labor relies heavily on them. The stimulation from a TENS unit can encourage the body to produce more of these feel-good chemicals, helping moms cope more effectively as labor progresses.

3. It helps create rhythm and a sense of control.

This is one of the most underrated benefits. Labor can feel unpredictable and overwhelming, especially as things begin to intensify. With a labor-specific TENS unit, moms press a boost button when a contraction begins. That simple action creates rhythm—something familiar to do each time a wave comes. And beyond this rhythm and ritual, it offers something many moms deeply value: a sense of control. In a process where so much is out of your hands, being able to actively respond to each contraction can be grounding and empowering.

And sometimes, the most meaningful feedback comes from moms just like you:

“I was pretty nervous about my second labor and delivery because the hospital did not have as many pain relief options as the hospital where I had my first child (no water birth and no nitrous oxide/oxygen options.) Kim kindly offered a TENS machine for me to try, and I’m so grateful she did! I used it throughout labor, and it gave me a sense of control and agency. I liked that I could start and end it when I wanted and change the intensity based on what I felt my body needed. It also gave me something to focus on during contractions and definitely changed the way I perceived the pain.”

“Using the TENS unit in labor helped give my brain another sensation to focus on during the contractions. I truly believe it was a big factor in staying comfortable and mobile for longer because of the relief it offered me, and because of that I was able to labor down with the help of gravity. I definitely recommend trying a TENS unit to help cope. I was surprised by just how well it worked.”

If you’re considering whether a TENS unit might be right for you, I hope this helps you feel more informed and confident. Birth doesn’t require you to choose one path or one tool—you’re allowed to gather support in ways that align with your body, your values, and your comfort.

For local moms in the Chattanooga and Northwest Georgia areas I work with, you're always welcome to borrow one of my TENS units for your birth! If you’re not working with a doula and are interested in purchasing or renting one yourself, I recommend looking at tensforlabor.com, which offers units specifically designed for labor and birth. This is where I purchase mine, and my experience has been nothing but positive!

As always, my goal is simply this: to help you walk into birth feeling informed, supported, empowered, and deeply connected to yourself. You got this, mama! And a TENS unit may just help you more than you know.

If you've used a TENS unit for labor, I'd love to hear your experience. Feel free to share in the comments- your story might help another mama feel more confident as she prepares.

With love,

Kim