TENS in Labor Specialist Training

Welcome!

DoulaVersity is proud to be the first doula organization to offer a completely online format for TENS training!

Learn how to safely and properly implement the use of TENS in your birth practice. Become a TENS in Labor Specialist and empower yourself to offer a safe and effective pain management tool for laboring individuals!

DoulaVersity provides the most thorough training on the use of TENS both online and in person! In this course, you will dive deep into the science, application, and best practices of the use of TENS in labor. Whether you are a doula, midwife, nurse, or any other type of birth professional, you will gain the expertise required to confidently support and guide your clients through this innovative pain relief method.

Students will learn the latest research, guidelines, and practical information ensuring that you walk away with the knowledge and skills needed to make a meaningful difference in the birthing experience of your clients.

A woman in a red top is holding a remote control or a small electronic device with wires, standing in a room with a beige wall and a white lampshade in the background.

This certificate reflects completion of DoulaVersity training in the use of TENS units for labor comfort support and does not represent medical licensure or regulatory certification.

What is TENS?

TENS stands for, Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation. TENS is a safe, non-pharmaceutical method of pain control,
and can be helpful for a women in labor.

A TENS unit is a hand-held, battery operated device that connects lead wires to four stimulating pads that are placed on the laboring woman*s back.  It's electrical impulses stimulate nerve fibers just under the skin creating a prickly, or tingling type of sensation.

Studies have shown that women were less likely to use an epidural with the TENS unit, and were more likely to use one again in the future. A study that investigated the use of TENS for back pain in labor found that "Tens has a specific beneficial effect on pain localized in the back."
 (Ref - Bundsen, et al , 1981; Carroll, et al, 1997; Thomas et al, 1988)

Most women who use a TENS in labor are likely to use the TENS for their next labor and birth.  Like laboring in a tub, TENS is not going to work for everyone, but wouldn't it be nice to be able to offer it to every laboring mother? 

A woman lying on a hospital bed with her back to the camera, connected to medical monitoring equipment. She is wearing a beige bra and reddish-brown shorts.

More About our TENS Specialist Training

  • Topics Covered:

    What is TENS?
    History of TENS
    How does a TENS unit decrease pain?
    Understanding the Gate Control Theory
    Why a Labor TENS? The Difference in TENS machines
    Understanding the evidence of TENS in labor
    Safety and precautions
    Cleaning your TENS
    Purchasing TENS and replacing accessories
    Implementing TENS in your doula practice

  • Self-Paced Online Training -$75

    This advanced training for birth professionals is comprised of 6 modules, that will take roughly 6 hours to complete. Students will have access to the online training for 12 weeks. Your trainer is just an email away if you have questions during your training.
    After completion, students will receive a PDF certificate of training.

  • Requirements:

    A computer with internet access for the online training.

    Must be a trained birth professional (certification not required).

    A friend or family member who can model your placement of electrodes.

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✺ Frequently asked questions ✺

  • TENS stands for Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation. It is a method of pain relief involving the use of a low-voltage electrical device that sends impulses to the nerves to help control pain.

  • This will be described in detail in your course, but the short answer is that a TENS unit works by sending stimulating pulses across the surface of the skin and along the nerve strands. These pulses help prevent pain signals from reaching the brain. They also encourage the body to produce higher levels of its own natural painkillers, endorphins.

  • Yes, using a TENS unit during labor is generally considered safe for both the mother and baby. In fact, studies show that babies are less likely to go to the NICU, and have higher APGAR scores when a TENS is used on the laboring person. However, you will learn when it is contradicted in your training.

  • YES! A TENS unit can be used through all stages and phases of labor. Your training will go in detail on how to ensure that the pads stay on the skin, how to clean the unit after the birth, and so much more!

  • The main benefits include pain relief, increased control over pain management, the ability to remain mobile during labor, and the absence of pharmaceuticals, which means there are fewer side effects for both mother and baby.

  • NOPE! In fact we will be discussing three models of labor TENS, and you might be able to make an informed decision on what might work best for you in your practice. When it comes time to do the electrode placement in the course, we have a PDF you can print off, cut out, and tape on your model.

  • Unfortunately, we do not offer CEU’s at this time.