Babycare TENS Elle TENS User Manual

TM

Instructions for use

The Elle TENS+™is a 3-in-1 state-of-the art, efficient method of drug-free pain relief. This powerful digital TENS unit is smooth, sophisticated and simple to use. It has been cleverly crafted by Babycare TENS specifically for home use for mums-to-be, for the management of pain for labour and beyond. The Elle TENS+ contains a powerful TENS unit to combat labour pain with a built in contraction timer, a TENS unit for general pain relief and a Pelvic Floor Stimulator (PFS) for treating post-natal incontinence.

The instructions in this manual are designed to cover most operational issues. If you have any questions concerning setting up, using or maintaining this device which are not covered by these instructions or any other concerns please do not hesitate to contact Babycare TENS at [e-mail].

TENS is recognised as a safe and highly effective method of pain relief and is regularly recommended by medical professionals.

TENS is drug-free, with no known side effects. It can also be used in conjunction with any additional medication if required.

Explanation of symbols on unit

Equipment providing a particular degree of protection against electric shock particularly regarding allowable leakage currents having an F type (floating) applied part.

Warning -

Please read these instructions before use.

Denotes a product which must be disposed of safely.

2

What is TENS?

TENS (Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation) works by passing mild electrical impulses through the skin, via electrode pads, into the nerve fibres which lie below.

The TENS impulses help your body produce its own pain killing chemicals, such as endorphins. The level of pain relief obtained varies from person to person.

What can the Elle TENS+ be used for?

1.The Elle TENS+ provides pain relief during labour. However some people may find that other analgesics are also needed during the later stages of labour.

2.The Elle TENS+ can be used for many chronic and acute pain conditions such as back pain, shoulder pain, arthritis, sciatica, sports injuries, migraine, period pain and post-operative pain.

3.The Elle TENS+ can also be used for treating incontinence. (NOT to be used during the 12 weeks following childbirth).

Section

1

Section 2

Section

3

Using your Elle TENS+ in BIRTH mode:

See page 4

Using your Elle TENS+ in PAIN mode:

See page 16

Using your Elle TENS+ in PELVIC mode:

See page 24

3

Section1

For more information

Please also refer to your ‘Women’s guide to drug free pain relief’.

4

BIRTH mode

Waiting for that big day to finally arrive is exciting, but it is perfectly natural to feel a little apprehensive. You will be thinking about how to make giving birth as easy as possible - preparation is essential.

Babycare TENS has become the most popular choice for mums-to-be as it is specifically designed to combat pain during childbirth. This is a safe, effective drug-free method of pain relief, which still allows you to use other analgesics, such as pethidine or gas-and-air if you wish.

Contents for BIRTH mode

Controls on you rElle TENS+	5
Display symbols and their meanings	6
Setting up your Elle TENS+ for birth	7
Suggested electrode placement diagram	9
Entering BIRTH mode	10
Adjusting intensity for pain relief during labour	10
Burst (use between contractions)	11
Boost (use during contractions)	11
Using the contraction timer	12
Recalling your contraction history	12
The Mode Button	13
The Opti-Max Key	14
Questions, answers and troubleshooting	15

Controls on your Elle TENS+ in BIRTH mode

The Elle TENS+ is very simple to use.	r
However, it is essential to read these	e
	m
	T
	i
	/
instructions to obtain the most out of	t
	o
	s
	o
the unit.	B

Please ensure that all of the contraindications and precautions have been read thoroughly.

See pages 34 and 35.

Opti-Max Key

Adjusts depth of the pulses: Refer to p14 for more details.

Channel 1 Intensity

Adjustment Keys

Mode Button

Selects modes.

ELLETENS+

+

Opti

Max

CH1+ CH2+

Mode

CH1 CH2

Space to attach neck cord

Leadwire Jack Plug Sockets

Boost/Timer Button

Used for an extra surge of power during contractions and also activates Contraction Timer.

On/Off Button

Channel 2 Intensity

Adjustment Keys

N.B. Automatic Power Off

When the intensity levels are zero, and the Elle TENS+ has not been in use for 5 minutes, it will shut off automatically.

5

Display symbols and their meanings in BIRTH mode

BURST	Mode 1 and 2
This function is used at the	There are two mode ranges
onset of labour and in between	available each with a Burst and
contractions. There are two	Boost function (see page 13).
Burst modes available indicated
by a 1 or 2. You can switch
between them by pressing the
Mode Button (see page 11).	r
	e
BOOST	m
	Ti
	/
	t
The Boost Button at the top right	s
	o
	o
of the unit activates the BOOST	B
mode. This function is used
during contractions. There are
two Boost modes available
indicated by a 1 or 2. You can	ELLETENS+
switch between them by
pressing the Mode Button.
Between Contraction Timer

Starts by pressing the Boost			+
Button, this automatically
measures the time interval			Opti
			Max
between your contractions.
	+		+
		CH1		CH2

Mode

Low Battery Indicator

This sign will start flashing if the batteries run low. If this is the case, change both batteries. Please refer to page 7 for instructions.

Power Bar

This shows the output from 0 to 15 for both channel 1 and 2. Each segment represents approximately 7% of the total output.

Contraction Timer

Starts by pressing the Boost Button, this automatically records the duration of your contractions.

Opti-Max

Indicates the Opti-Max output. Refer to p14 for more details.

Pad contact warning (safety cut-out)

This symbol will appear if any of your pads are not attached securely to the skin.

6

Setting up your Elle TENS+ for BIRTH

Check the following contents:

•1 x Elle TENS+ Unit

•1 x Pack of 4 Self Adhesive Electrodes (40mm x 100mm)

•2 x Leadwires and 1 Spare

•2 x AA Batteries and 2 Spare

•1 x Carrying Pouch

•1 x Easy-Release Neck Cord

•1 x Instruction Manual

•1 x Quick Start Guide

•1 x Women’s Guide*

•1 x Electrode Placement Chart*

•1 x Lubricant Gel Sachet

1 x vaginal probe

(NOT to be used until at least 12 weeks after childbirth. See contraindications and precautions on pages 34 and 35.

For use only in the PELVIC mode - see p24).

The Assembly Stage
a) Press and rotate the belt	Rotate
clip at the back of the Elle
TENS+ in either direction
to reveal the battery
compartment.

b) Release the battery compartment cover and insert 2 x AA batteries ensuring the positive (+) and negative (-) terminals are correctly positioned as marked in the battery compartment.

Replace the cover.

*(only if you have purchased this unit)

AA R6 1.5v

+

+ AAR6 1.5v

Press

Cover

Release

7

Setting up your Elle TENS+ for BIRTH

c) Take two of the pink		d) Now insert the pins
leadwires and insert		(at the other end of the
each of the black jack		leadwires) into the
plugs into the sockets		sockets attached to the
at the top of the Elle		sticky electrodes.
TENS+ unit.		Do not remove the
		electrodes from the
Jack Plug	Jack Plug	backing at this stage.
		N.B. Each leadwire has a red
		and black pin. It makes no
		difference which electrode
		they are attached to.

Pins Sockets

If you wish, attach the easy-release neck cord which enables you to hang the Elle TENS+ from your neck.

Sticky Electrodes

8

Suggested electrode placement diagram

The sticky electrode pads need to be placed in the correct position for maximum pain relief. It is preferable to obtain assistance from either your birthing partner or medical adviser when positioning the pads.

Please read the following instructions carefully:

1.Clean the skin thoroughly and allow skin to dry before applying the pads.

2.Carefully peel the pads from the plastic backing using your forefinger and thumb. Do not pull on the lead wires. Retain plastic backing and pouch for storage after use.

3.Position the top two pads (connected to the left socket CH1) approximately 4cm either side of the spine and 4-5cm above the imaginary navel line as seen in the diagram.

4. Position the bottom two pads (connected to the right socket CH2) approximately 4cm either side of the spine and 4-5cm below

the imaginary navel line as seen in the diagram.

CH1CH1

CH2CH2

Reference: Cluett E. (1994) SRN RM ADM PGCEA. Analgesia in Labour: A review of the TENS method. Professional Care of Mother and Child. Mar;4 (2): 50-2.

Bra line

Naval line

Panty line

9

Using the Elle TENS+ in BIRTH mode

Press

Mode

+

Opti

Max

CH1+

10

Display

Entering BIRTH mode

a). You are now ready to use your Elle TENS+. Ensure that the Boost Button located at the top right of the unit is not pressed in. Switch the unit ON by pressing the On/Off Button. You will see ‘BIRTH’ flashing in the top left corner of the display.

b). Press Mode to confirm ‘BIRTH’ mode, otherwise your Elle TENS+ will automatically enter the BIRTH mode after a few seconds.

c). If the unit does not already display ‘BIRTH’ (i.e. PAIN or PELVIC is flashing), use the Opti-Max Key to cycle through the modes, until ‘BIRTH’ is flashing.

N.B. Your Elle TENS+ always starts up in the mode used previously. To select another mode you must first turn off the unit and follow the instructions as above.

Adjusting intensity for pain relief during labour

Begin by pressing the CH1+ key. Each time this key is pressed, ‘half-moons’ will appear on the screen increasing in number and size as the intensity is

Using the Elle TENS+ in BIRTH mode

	increased. You will begin to feel a pulsating sensation. The unit is in
	BURST mode. Press CH1- should you wish to reduce the intensity.
CH2	Repeat the previous step with the CH2+ and CH2- keys. You will now feel a
+	sensation in both sets of pads.
	Burst 1 (use between contractions*)
	This is the first mode that you will use. It feels like a pulsing, tingling
	sensation i.e. the pulses are off and on periodically. This mode will help to
	promote those all-important natural pain-killing chemicals known as
	‘endorphins’ and ‘encephalins’.
	Boost 1 (use during contractions*)
	When experiencing a contraction, simply press the Boost Button once and
	release. This is the big button located at the top right of the unit. Your Elle
B	TENS+ will then switch automatically into the BOOST mode for that extra
	surge of power required to combat pain during contractions. This will feel
	like a continuous sensation. You do not need to hold the button in.
	*See page 13 for additional BURST and BOOST information.

Display

11