Obi TENS
Instructions for use
TM
The Obi TENS is an ultra simple
yet powerful obstetric TENS unit
perfect for drug-free pain relief
during labour. It has 2 pre-set
modes one for use during
contractions, the other for use
between contractions.
TENS is recognised as a safe and highly
effective method of pain relief and is regularly
recommended by medical professionals.
TENS is a drug free method of pain relief,
with no known side effects, which 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 a BF type
(floating) applied part.
Warning – refer to accompanying
documents i.e. these instructions.
Denotes a product which must be
disposed of safely.
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Contents
How will the Obi TENS Help Your Pain? ..............3
Precautions and Contraindications ....................4
The Obi TENS Controls ......................................5
Additional Functions ..........................................5
Setting up your Obi TENS ..................................6
Suggested Pad Placement Chart ........................7
Using your Obi TENS ..........................................8
Frequently Asked Questions ..............................9
Troubleshooting Questions................................9
Useful Information ............................................10
Post-Natal Pad Placement Diagrams ................10
Technical Data ..................................................11
How will the Obi TENS Help
Your Pain?
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 from the Obi TENS
varies from person to person. Some find that the
Obi TENS provides all the pain relief required
during the whole of labour, whereas others find
that other analgesics are also needed during the
later stages of labour.
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Precautions and contraindications
1. Do NOT use the Obi TENS if you have a cardiac
pacemaker.
2. Check with your medical adviser before using if you
suffer from a heart condition, epilepsy, undiagnosed
pain, have any metal implants, or any doubts
whatsoever.
3. TENS must NOT
of pregnancy.
4. Never use TENS to mask undiagnosed pain since
this could require urgent treatment.
5. If you are pregnant, do NOT
over your abdomen.
General Precautions
1. Do NOT use this unit without first reading these
instructions.
2. Do NOT
3. Do NOT place it close to any source of excessive heat
4. Do NOT
5. Do NOT
7. Only use specified batteries and electrodes.
8. If damaged, do not use. Return to supplier.
9. Remove the batteries when not in use.
10. Do NOT
11. Keep out of the reach of children.
12. Do NOT
13. Do NOT
14. A mild shock may be caused if one electrode is
immerse the Obi TENS in any liquid.
or operate it in the presence of flammable gas.
drop this unit onto a hard surface.
attempt to dismantle the Obi TENS.
dangerous machinery or while using a microwave.
place electrodes on or near the eyes, in the
mouth, over the front or sides of the neck, across the
head, heart, or an area of broken, inflamed, infected
or numb skin. Electrodes should generally only be
applied to skin with normal sensation unless under
medical supervision.
malignant tumours, very high or very low blood
pressure, epilepsy, high fever or acute inflammatory
disease unless under medical supervision.
accedentially removed. In the event of this
happening the unit should be turned off immediately.
be used before the 37th week
place the electrodes
use while driving or operating potentially
use in the presence of tuberculosis,
4
Controls on the Obi TENS
POWER Key – Turns the Obi TENS On and Off.
User display – Indicates the mode in use and
the intensity level. (also see diagram below).
BOOST Key –Used for extra surge
during contractions.
Intensity UP – Increases the intensity of
the pulses.
Intensity Down – Decreases the intensity of
the pulses.
User Display
BOOST -
This mode is
used during
contractions.
Low Battery
indicator.
BURST This function is
used at the onset
of labour and
in-between
contractions.
Power Bar: This
indicates the
intensity of the
pulses from 0 to
10 for both sets
of pads.
Additional Functions
Low Battery Indicator - A flashing battery symbol
will be shown on the display.
Automatic Power Off - When the unit intensity
levels are zero, and the Obi TENS has not been
in use for about 5 minutes, the unit will shut
off automatically.
5
Setting up your Obi TENS
Check you have the following contents:
• 1 x Obi TENS unit
• 1 x Pack of 4 self adhesive electrodes
(40mm x 100mm)
• 2 x Leadwires (1 for use and 1 spare)
• 4 x AAA batteries (2 for use and 2 spare)
• 1 x Carrying pouch
• 1 x Easy-release neck cord
• 1 x Instruction manual
The assembly stage
1. Slide open the battery cover on the back of the
unit to expose the battery compartment.
2. Insert 2 x AAA batteries according to the
diagram found in the battery compartment.
Replace the cover.
a) Take one of the mauve and white leadwires and
insert the white jack plug at the end of the lead
into the socket at the bottom of the Obi TENS
unit. (Save the other leadwire as a spare)
b) Now insert the red and white pins (at the other
end of the leadwire) into the sockets attached
to the sticky electrodes. You will see that the
lead wire is made up of 4 wires; 2 mauve and 2
white. Do not remove the electrodes from the
backing at this stage (see figure below). NB.
Each leadwire has a red and white pin at the
end. It makes NO difference whatsoever which
electrode they are attached to!
c) If you wish, attach the easy-release neck cord
which enables you to hang the Obi TENS from
your neck whilst in labour.
Insert a red and black pin
(at the end of the lead wire)
into each pair of electrodes.
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Suggested Electrode Placement Chart
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. Carefully peel the pads from the plastic backing
using your forefinger and thumb. Do not pull on
the lead wires.
2. Position the top pads (connected to the mauve
coloured leads) approximately 4cm either side
of the spine and 4-5cm above the imaginary
navel line as seen in the diagram.
3. Position the bottom two pads (connected to the
white coloured leads) approximately 4cm either
side of the spine and 4-5cm below the
imaginary navel line as seen in the diagram.
NB. It makes no difference whatsoever whether
the mauve pads are at the top and the white
ones are below or vice versa, as long as they are
in horizontal pairs.
Bra Line
In line with navel
Panty Line
Reference: Cluett E. (1994) SRN RM ADM PGCEA.
Analgesia in Labour: A review of the TE NS method.
Professional Care of Mother and Child. Mar;4 (2): 50-2.
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Before first use of the Obi TENS, please
familiarise yourself with the precautions and
contraindications contained on page 4.
Using your Obi TENS
a) You are now ready to start using your Obi TENS.
Switch the unit on by pressing the on/off
button. The Obi TENS will always start up in
BURST mode.
b) Begin by pressing the intensity Up key. Each
time you press this key, a small ‘half-moon’
shape will appear on the screen increasing in
number and size as the intensity is increased.
You will begin to feel a pulsating sensation
which will burst in time with the ‘half-moon’
shape as shown on the LCD. You will feel this
sensation in both sets of pads.
c) BURST (use between contractions): This is the
first mode that you will use.
It feels like a bursting, 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’.
d) BOOST (use during contractions): When
experiencing a contraction, simply press the
‘BOOST’ button. The Obi TENS will then switch
automatically into the BOOST mode for that
extra surge of power required to combat the
pain during contractions. This will feel like a
continuous sensation.
e ) Once the contraction has passed, simply press
the ‘boost’ button. The Obi TENS will return to
the original BURST mode. Continue this cycle
during your early stages of labour.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Q When shall I start using my Obi TENS?
A Use as early as you can after the onset
of labour to allow time for your body’s
pain-killing chemicals to rise.
Q Can I try the Obi TENS before going
into labour?
A Yes, place 2 pads on your forearm to feel the
different pulse sensations following the
instructions on page 6.
Q Can I combine the Obi TENS with
other medication?
A Yes, you can still use analgesics such as gas
and air (entinox) or pethidine.
Q Can the Obi TENS be used in hospital?
A Yes. However, a midwife may ask you to switch
it off temporarily.
Q Can I use the Obi TENS if I am considering a
water birth?
A Yes, but not in the water itself.
Troubleshooting Questions.
Q Why does the stimulation not appear to be as
strong after you have used the Obi TENS for
a while?
A Increase the intensity, you may have become
used to a lower setting.
Q Why does the stimulation feel strong
but ineffective?
A You may need to reposition the electrode pads.
Q Why does the stimulation not feel sufficiently
strong even on a high setting?
AThe batteries may need replacing.
Q What do I do if there is no stimulation,
intermittent stimulation, or weak stimulation
felt even with a new battery?
A Check electrode contact. Check leads.
Check batteries. Phone Babycare TENS
on 0845 230 9737.
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Useful information
1. Continue stimulation for as long as necessary,
unless you experience discomfort.
2. If you stimulate for a number of hours ensure
the pads do not become dry. If this occurs,
switch off the unit, disconnect the electrodes,
and apply a small drop of water to them.
3. Always ensure that the unit is switched off
before you remove the leads. Do not pull the
wires. ALWAYS remove the jack plugs from their
sockets by holding the plugs between the
forefinger and thumb.
4. The Obi TENS can also be used as a standard TENS
unit for relief of numerous conditions, including
after pains and post operative pains. It is worth
bearing this in mind if you have a caesarean
section. Please seek medical advice first.
KEY: =first pair of electrodes =second pair of electrodes.
N.B. Electrodes supplied with this unit are all the same colour - the
black and white squares show suggested electrode placement only.
Lower Back Pain
Shoulder Pain and
Frozen Shoulder
Outer and inner
aspect of shoulder
Period Pain Classical Migraine
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Technical Data
Display The LCD has a total of 13 display
Mode 2 operation modes
Output Channel ONE Channel
Output Voltage 0 – 100V (zero-to-peak) across
Output Intensity 200mA (max.) into a 500Ω load
Output Waveform Symmetrical Mono-phasic rectangular
Output Jacks CE Touch-proof jacks
Battery 2 X1.5V AAA Battery (Type LR03)
Battery Low Detect 2.2V±0.1V
Tolerances All output parameters are subjected
segments. The array of Level Bars
consists of 10 LCD Level Bar. In
addition, 2 individual LCD segments
respectively indicate the Modes
(i.e. Burst and Boost). The last LCD
segment is used to illuminate
the low battery indicator.
Pulse (Hz) Pulse Pattern
Frequency Width (µs)
Burst 32 200 2 bursts per
Boost 80 100 Constant
a 500Ω load; adjustable in 10 steps
to a ±10% tolerance unless
other specified
second and
8 pulses per
burst
pulse
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ISO 9001:2008 ISO 13485:2003
EC DIRECTIVE 93/42/EEC Annex V
Babycare TENS
108 George Lane, South Woodford,
London E18 1AD
Tel (+44) (0)20 8532 9595
Fax (+44) (0)20 8532 9551
www.babycaretens.com
e-mail customercare@babycaretens.com
Babycare TENS is part of the
Body Clock group of companies
0120
February 2011 (3)
This manual is recyclable
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