Kegel8 Mother Nurture User manual

Operator’s manual


Symbols on the unit and case
Caution! (electrical output).
Follow operating instructions! Failure to do so could place the patient or
operator at risk.
Neuromuscular Stimulation (STIM) and EMG Triggered Stimulation (ETS)
should not be used by Patients tted with demand style cardiac pace-
makers. Please seek advice from your health supervisor.
Patient’s shock protection type: BF (Body Floated) Equipment. This
equipment is not earthed but contains a battery within an insulated unit.
Indicates the manufacturer’s catalogue number so that the medical
device can be identied.
Manufacturer's LOT/Batch number. Present it together with SN
number when you report a technical fault or claim a warranty
return.
Manufacturer's serial number of the unit. Present it together with
LOT number when you report a technical fault or claim a warranty
return.
Name and address of Manufacturer.
Date of manufacture.
Conformity indication with the essential health and safety
requirements set out in European Directives.
0088 - Notied Body identication (LRQA Ltd.)
This product should be kept dry.
IP20
on the unit
This is an indication for protection against ingress of water and particu-
late matter. The mark IP20 on your unit means: your unit is protected
against solid foreign objects of 12.5mm dia and greater. Not protected
against water.
IP02
on the case
IP02 on the carrying case means: Protected from the ingress of water
droplets from a shower of rain.
Do not dispose in normal dustbin (see page 29 for the disposal instruc-
tions).
REF
Dear Customer,
Thank you for choosing Kegel8 Mother Nurture. You now have a new best
friend to support you through the birth of your baby and beyond. Created
especially for women before conception, during labour and after their new
arrival, the Kegel8 Mother Nurture is an eective Transcutaneous Electri-
cal Nerve Stimulator (TENS) and Neuromuscular Stimulator (STIM) device
in one.
Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation is an eective, drug-free,
non-invasive method of controlling pain. By transmitting mild electrical
impulses to the aected area, TENS modies the body’s perception of
pain to provide relief.
Neuromuscular Stimulation is an eective method of re-building and
strengthening weak or damaged muscle tissue. Muscles and nerve bres
are stimulated by electrical pulses causing them to contract as they would
in exercise.
If you have never used a Neuromuscular Stimulator or TENS machine be-
fore, you may be a little apprehensive. That’s quite normal – lots of people
are cautious at rst, but soon realise that there is nothing to worry about.
The probes used for neuromuscular stimulation are designed for comfort
and while you will be able to feel the eects of the electrical pulses, they
should not cause you any discomfort.
Welcome to Kegel8 Mother Nurture
What is TENS?
What is NMES?


Please pay careful attention to the following safety warnings:
●Do not insert wires into a mains power supply.
●Do not immerse unit into water or any other substance.
●The unit is not protect from the ingress of water droplets from a shower
of rain if used outside the carrying case.
●This unit is not suitable for use during a water birth.
●Do not use STIM or a vaginal probe during pregnancy.
●Do not use TENS prior to 37 weeks pregnancy.
●Type BF equipment, Continuous Operation.
●Do not use Kegel8 Mother Nurture in the presence of a ammable
anaesthetic gas mixture and air or with Oxygen or Nitrous Oxide.
●If using rechargeable 9 Volt PP3 Nickel Metal Hydride batteries, be
sure to use a CE approved battery charger. Never connect the Kegel8
Mother Nurture directly to a battery charger or to any other mains
powered equipment. We advise not to use Ni-Cad rechargeable
batteries.
●Patient Probes and Electrodes are for single patient use only.
●Keep out of reach of children.
●Do not use this stimulator on your facial area unless you are under strict
guidance from a qualied Clinician.
●Application of electrodes to the body between the neck and the
abdomen may increase abnormal heart rhythm (cardiac brillation)
●Operation in close proximity (e.g. 1m) to shortwave or microwave
therapy equipment may produce instability in the stimulator output.
●Simultaneous connection of a patient to high frequency surgical
equipment may result in burns at the site of the stimulation electrodes
and possible damage to the stimulator.
●It is recommended this unit be used following guidance of a
●Physiotherapist, Doctor or Continence Advisor.
●No modication of this equipment is permitted.
The beauty of TENS pain relief is that you are in full control and we will
provide you with all the information you need about correct electrode
placement, so no worries there either.
If you follow the instructions in this User Guide, Kegel8 Mother Nurture is
a safe and eective way to prepare your body for carrying a baby, help
manage your pain through labour and exercise your pelvic oor back in to
pre-baby shape following childbirth.
Customer Care
We aim to provide our customers with outstanding products and customer
service. So if you have any comments or ideas regarding Kegel8, unan-
swered questions or are looking for any sort of reassurance please get in
touch with us – we are here to help. Our contact details can be found on
page: Customer Care.
Warnings
●Labour Pain
●Stress incontinence
●Overactive bladder (urge incontinence)
Also used for non medical purposes:
●Pelvic sensitivity, strength and endurance
Indications for Use


Please read this Kegel8 Mother Nurture User Guide before using this
stimulation device.
Kegel8 Mother Nurture should not be used:
●By patients tted with a demand style cardiac pacemaker unless
advised to by their Doctor.
●On a STIM programme during pregnancy (unless medically advised).
●On a TENS programme prior to 37 weeks pregnancy.
●By patients with undiagnosed pain conditions.
●By patients with undiagnosed skin, vaginal or rectal conditions.
●With patients who have diminished mental capacity or physical
competence who cannot handle the device properly.
●On anaesthetised or desensitised skin.
●When driving a vehicle or operating potentially dangerous equipment.
When using Kegel8 Mother Nurture:
●Use only as directed.
●Do not immerse the unit in water or any other liquid.
●Keep unit out of reach of children.
●Seek professional advice if you are unsure about using Kegel8
Mother Nurture. Contact your distributor or healthcare professional.
●Only use CE approved skin electrodes and vaginal probes.
●Change your skin electrodes to hypoallergenic electrodes should you
experience any irritation from the adhesive coating on the electrodes
supplied. A range of skin electrodes for sensitive skin can be found
on our website.
●Allow the skin to heal should you experience any skin irritation
before commencing use.
Do not place electrodes:
●Over carotid sinus nerves, larynx or trachea.
●Inside the mouth.
●Over the area of the heart unless so advised by your doctor.
●On your facial area unless under strict guidance from a qualied
clinician.
●Do not apply stimulation across or through the head, directly on the
eyes, covering the mouth, on the front of the neck (especially the
carotid sinus) or via electrodes placed on the chest and upper back or
crossing over the heart.
Content Page
Indications for use 
Warnings 
Contraindications and Precautions 
Basic keypad operation 
Important Safety Information 
Kegel Mother Nurture Check List 
Getting To Know Your Kegel Mother Nurture 
How Your Kegel Mother Nurture Works 
Using Kegel Mother Nurture For The First Time 
Exercising With Kegel Mother Nurture 
Inserting The Probe 
Managing Labour With Mother Nurture 
Applying Kegel Skin Electrodes 
Kegel Tips 
Choosing A Kegel Mother Nurture Programme 
Increasing mA with each phase 
Voluntary Exercise 
Locking and Unlocking the unit 
Taking Care Of Your Kegel 
Frequently Asked Questions 
Kegel Mother Nurture Programme Parameters 
Specications 
Electromagnetic Compatibility and Interference (EMC) 
Warranty 
Clinical References 
ContentsContra Indications & Precautions


PRG button
SET button Displays the menu and changes the
parameters for Pulse Rate, Pulse Width
and Time for custom programmes.
ESC button Stores customised programme and returns to the
home position.
ON / OFF Turns unit on, o and ends the current programme
LCD
Display
Select
Programme
SET to go
to Custom
programme
settings
Channel A Remote Channel B
switch
ESC to stop
programme
or escape
from settings
+to start
programme
Who Can Use Kegel8 Mother Nurture?
Your Kegel8 Mother Nurture is designed to be used by women and when
used correctly, is a safe and eective way of strengthening pelvic oor
muscles and drug-free pain relief during labour. However, as it works by
using electrical pulses, there are some people that should seek medical
advice before using the device.
DO NOT USE KEGEL8 MOTHER NURTURE:
●If you have been tted with a demand style cardiac pacemaker.
●During pregnancy unless using the TENS programme during labour.
●If you have undiagnosed pain, skin, vaginal or rectal conditions.
●On anaesthetised or desensitised skin.
●If you do not have the mental capacity or physical competence to use
the device as instructed.
●When driving a vehicle or operating potentially dangerous equipment.
●In water or other uid, including a birthing pool – never submerge
your Kegel8 in water.
●While you are connected to high frequency equipment. Applying the
Kegel8 probe or electrodes while you are connected to high frequency
equipment could cause burns and damage your Kegel8. If in doubt,
please call your distributor for advice or seek assistance from a doctor
or healthcare professional.
Please note that Kegel8 can be used safely by women tted with IUD or
Mirena coils. Kegel8 does not aect these devices.
IMPORTANT
Only Use Your Kegel8 As Described
In This User Guide.
Keep Out Of Reach Of Children.
Important Safety Information
Description of STIM
Unit & Functions
BackFront

 
Where Can You Use Your Kegel8 Mother Nurture?
Kegel8 Mother Nurture is designed for home use, but can be used in
medical centres and hospitals too. Before you use your Kegel8, please
make sure:
●The room does not contain ammable gases. This is especially
important in hospitals and medical centres as Kegel8’s electrical
pulses can ignite ammable gases, such as those used in anaesthetics.
If in doubt, ask for assistance.
●You are not positioned close (e.g. 1m) to a shortwave or microwave
therapy device, microwave oven, mobile telephone, wireless device,
or radio. These devices can cause instability in your Kegel8 unit.
Using Your Kegel8 Mother Nurture Safely
●Only use your Kegel8 in the regions described in this user guide.
Never use Kegel8 on other parts of your body as the electrical pulses
could damage your health.
●To ensure your personal hygiene, do not allow other people to use
your probes or electrodes. Always clean your probes thoroughly (see
Kegel8 Probe Care) and store electrodes in a safe place.
●Only use CE approved vaginal probes and skin electrodes with your
Kegel8. All ocial Kegel8 probes and electrodes are CE approved.
●To power your Kegel8 device, use a 9v battery. Never connect your
Kegel8 device or its probes to a mains power supply as this could
result in electrocution and death.
●Do not immerse your Kegel8 device or its probes and electrodes in
water, uids or any other substances.
●Please be aware that Kegel8 Mother Nurture is Type BF equipment
(provides some protection against electric shock).
Kegel8 Mother Nurture Check List
When you open the Kegel8 Mother Nurture packaging, you should nd:
●1x Kegel8 Mother Nurture unit
●1x 9 Volt Battery
●1x Kegel8 Probe
●4x Kegel8 Skin Electrodes (100x50mm)
●1x Remote Boost Button
●2x Kegel8 Lead Wire
●1x Kegel8 Mother Nurture User Guide
●1x Kegel8 Product Guarantee Registration Form
In the unlikely event that any of the items above are missing, please con-
tact our Customer Care Team.
Kegel8 Mother Nurture Check List

 
You will use Channel A (CH.A) to connect your probe to your Kegel8
Mother Nurture unit for STIM use to exercise your pelvic oor muscles
prior to conception and/or following recovery from childbirth.
You will use Channel A (CH.A) and Channel B (CH.B) to connect your skin
electrodes to your Kegel8 Mother Nurture unit for TENS use to manage
pain during labour.
You will use the Boost Channel to connect your Remote Boost Button for
control of natural pain relief during labour.
You will use the PRG button to select and set your programme of choice
(see Choosing a Kegel8 Programme)
Kegel8 Mother Nurture has two sets of + and – buttons. You can use these
buttons to increase (+) and decrease (-) the strength of the electrical puls-
es being emitted (the mAs). The positioning of these buttons correspond
to the Channel they control; the + and – buttons to the left control Channel
A and those to the right control Channel B.
MODEL OPH 310
DUAL CHANNEL
STI MUL ATOR
Usethe remote pink
buttontomovebetween
BST (Boosttokillpain)
and RST (Rest).
SelectBST and increase
mA comfortable .to alevel
This will gradually
reducepain.
BST(Boost):
when alabour
contraction
occuresor
pain is very
strong.
RST(Rest):use
it most of thetime.
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SET
PRGESC
Mother Nurture
“+” buttons Startsthe
program and
increases mA level
presstoselectprogramme
-toescape from
custom programme settings
PRG
ESC
SET to setupparametersof
custom programme
UnlockP3-Labour Pain
-press to unlockthe
programme.
-Press PRGfor5sec
to lock P3
Channel B
Channel ARemote
switch
Remote Switch button
P3-Labour Pain: triggers between High
frequency andBurst frequencymodes.
When you rst power on your
Kegel8 Mother Nurture, the LCD
display will light and show the
following information:
Hz - Frequency
Hz is the number of electrical pulses per second (Hertz). You will notice
that this number changes depending on the programme you have
selected and may even change throughout the programme.
µS – Pulse Duration
µS is the duration of a single electrical pulse. The higher the value, the
more the stimulation penetrates your muscles. Again, this number will
change
depending on the programme you have selected.
Programme Description
To the right of the screen you will see an abbreviation of the programme
you have selected i.e. LBR will display when the Labour Pain Relief
programme is selected. All programme abbreviates can be found in
chapter: Choosing A Kegel8 Mother Nurture Programme.
Time
When you are using Kegel8 Mother Nurture as a STIM device to exercise
your pelvic oor, the programme description will disappear when you
commence the programme and will be replaced with a timer. This time is
the length of the programme and will count down as you progress through
the session.
mA
At the bottom of the screen you will see two large numbers. When you rst
turn the unit on, these numbers will display as 0 (zero). This is a display of
the MilliAmps – the amount (or strength) of electrical current being
delivered through the output channel. This number will change as you
control the output with the + and – buttons on the unit.
Battery Power Level
If your Kegel8 Mother Nurture battery is running low on power, a low bat-
tery symbol will appear in the middle of the screen. If you see this symbol,
please ensure you change your battery to get the best performance from
your Kegel8 Mother Nurture.
Getting to Know your Kegel8 Mother Nurture

 
The Kegel8 Mother Nurture is one of a new breed of dual Neuromuscular
Stimulation (STIM) and Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation (TENS)
devices developed with the aim of achieving optimum pelvic health for
women and supporting them through the demanding changes on the
body that comes with starting a family. Kegel8 Mother Nurture works by
producing electrical pulses that stimulate the muscles and nerve bres
to build muscle strength in your pelvic area and that work to modify the
body’s perception of pain to make labour more manageable.
If you haven’t used a STIM or TENS device before, the idea of apply-
ing electrical pulses to your body can seem a little strange. But there’s
no need to be concerned – your body already uses electrical signals all
the time. For example, let’s say you want to tense the bicep muscle in
your arm. To do this, your brain sends an electrical signal to your muscles
via your nervous system. When the signal reaches your bicep, it causes
the muscle to contract, and when the signal is not present, your muscle
relaxes again.
The Neuromuscular Stimulation (STIM) of the Kegel8 Mother Nurture
works in a very similar way – it sends electric pulses to precise areas of
the pelvic oor muscles, causing them to contract and relax. Over time,
this strengthens the muscles and nerve bres giving you greater muscle
control and improving strength, tone and tightness.
The Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation (TENS) of the Kegel8
Mother Nurture targets nerves as opposed to muscles; there are millions
of small nerve bres throughout your body and it only takes a few impuls-
es for you to experience chronic pain. TENS tackles this by stimulating the
larger nerve bres in your body, those responsible for our sense of touch
and temperature, which then block the path of the small nerve endings
which are sending the pain signals to your spine – often described as a
pain gateway as it acts as a channel for pain signals to reach the brain.
Kegel8 Mother Nurture features a number of pre-set programmes for pel-
vic oor exercise and natural pain relief during labour. These programmes
have been carefully designed so that they:
●Work your muscles appropriately, helping them to strengthen
gradually.
●Allow your muscles to rest for the correct amount of time
●Naturally ease pain at your control
●Are easy to use
There have been many research papers and clinical trials relating to STIM
and TENS. If you are interested in nding out more, a list of relevant papers
is included in our Clinical References.
How your Kegel8 Mother nurture Works

 
When you rst use Kegel8 Mother Nurture you need to choose one of the
pre-set programmes based on whether you are using the device pre-con-
ception, during labour or post childbirth. The programmes are designed
in dierent ways to treat a variety of specic female health problems or to
naturally manage pain, so you should choose the programme best suited
to your needs (all of the programmes are explained in Choosing A Kegel8
Mother Nurture Programme).
At the start of every programme, Kegel8 Mother Nurture begins at 0mA,
which means there is no electrical pulse. When you are ready to begin
and the relevant probe or skin electrodes are in place, press the + button
for the appropriate channel repeatedly to gradually increase the electrical
current. Please note that the mAs will not increase above 10mAs until the
probe is inserted into your vagina or your electrodes are in place on your
skin.
When the electrical current reaches a high enough level, you will begin
to feel stimulation. This sensation will vary depending on in which mode
you are using the Kegel8 Mother Nurture. If you are using your device
pre-conception or post childbirth with a vaginal probe to exercise your
pelvic oor you will begin to feel a knocking sensation in your pelvic oor
muscles. This happens when the electrical current begins to stimulate your
muscles at low levels. You may also feel a tingling sensation. When you
get to either of these stages, slowly continue to increase the mAs to a level
that you feel is working your muscles but that is comfortable too. A strong
contraction that ‘pulls’ the muscles is what you should aim to feel.
Many women nd that they start to feel their muscles being stimulated
when the mAs are set to around 25, with settings over 30 mA giving the
muscles a full workout. But everybody is dierent, so you need to choose
settings that you are comfortable with and that you feel are working for
you. As you exercise, you will feel your muscles pull up, tighten, and then
relax again. The stronger the sensation you can feel, the more work your
pelvic muscles are doing. But don’t push yourself too hard, especially if
you are newly recovered from childbirth. If you feel any discomfort at any
point in your session, press the – button for the appropriate channel to
reduce the current.
If you use Kegel8 Mother Nurture to exercise (as described above), 1 or 2
times per day for at least 3 months, your pelvic oor muscles will get stron-
ger and you will feel the benets of greater muscle control. Gradually you
will be able to increase the amount of current delivered to the muscles for
a stronger workout.
If you are already pregnant or there is a possibility you could be, Kegel8
Mother Nurture CANNOT be used until you are in stages of labour. When
this time comes, you will use ONLY the TENS pain relief programme of
the device with skin electrodes and the labour Remote Boost Button. At
this time, Kegel8 Mother Nurture should be used in a very similar way to
when being used for exercise; increase the mAs using the + button for the
appropriate channel. This programme uses both Channel A and Channel
B so you will increase the mAs on both sides. As with this programme you
are stimulating the nerves as opposed to muscle, you will feel more of a
tingling sensation. Continue to increase the mAs until you feel a massag-
ing pulse and your level of pain being controlled – remember, TENS is a
natural pain management method designed to produce local endorphins
within your body and not a medicated pain killer so you will still feel some
pain but that pain will be signicantly reduced. As you feel a contraction
begin press the Remote Boost Button. You will feel the stimulation change
from a massaging pulse to a more intense and continuous stimulation to
help you manage the increased pain naturally, giving you and your baby
the chance to avoid medicated pain relief. As the contraction fades, press
the Remote Boost Button again and return to the massage stimulation.
You can lock your Kegel8 Mother Nurture when using the Labour pro-
gramme so that once this programme is set it cannot be changed in error.
This can give you peace of mind that your Mother Nurture is set up ready
for use ahead of the big day and that you cannot change the programme
in error during use. Instructions on Locking And Unlocking Your Kegel8 can
be found .
Whether you are using Mother Nurture as a STIM machine for exercise or a
TENS machine for pain relief your electrode(s) (the probe or skin elec-
trodes) must be in place before the mAs will increase. If your electrode(s)
are not in place then the mAs will not increase past 10mA before dropping
back down to 0.
Now, let’s get you started with Exercising With Kegel8 Mother Nurture or, if
you are already expecting your baby, prepare by reading Managing Labour
With Mother Nurture.
Using Kegel8 Mother Nurture for the First Time

 
Exercising your pelvic oor with Mother Nurture is recommended prior
to pregnancy to strengthen your muscles to potentially make concep-
tion easier and get the necessary support ready for pregnancy. It is also
recommended after childbirth (following a nal  week check-up with
your Health Visitor) to recover and get everything back into shape, and
as a treatment method for any damage caused during pregnancy and
childbirth which may have left you with leaks or frequent dashes to the loo.
So, let’s get started!
. Before you start using Kegel Mother Nurture, please read the
Important Safety Information.
When used correctly, Kegel Mother Nurture is a safe and
eective way of tightening and toning your pelvic oor. But
remember, Mother Nurture is an electrical device and if misused
can cause harm. So please read the Safety Information carefully.
. On the back of your Kegel Mother Nurture, slide o the battery
cover and insert the battery. Make sure the red material strip is
under the battery but with the end still accessible – this makes
it easier to remove the battery when a replacement is needed.
Replace the battery cover once the battery is in place.
. Make sure the probe is clean by rinsing in warm water or wiping
clean with a body-friendly antibacterial cleaner (see Kegel
Probe Care). Unclean probes could cause infection.
. Connect a lead wire to the probe:
a. Take the probe and insert the red pin of the lead wire to
one of the connectors of the probe.
b. Now insert the black pin of the lead wire into the other
connector of the probe.
c. Insert the lead wire into Channel A (CH.A) on the top of
the Mother Nurture unit.
d. Ensure all wires are rmly connected.
5. Now insert the probe into your vagina. To insert the Kegel8
probe:
a. Get into a comfortable position. This may be sitting on the
edge of a seat, squatting, standing or lying down; inserting
the probe is similar to inserting a tampon, so this may give
you an idea of how you will be most comfortable.
b. Hold the base of the probe. This is the plastic part at the end
where the wires leave the probe.
c. Position the probe so that the metal strips (the electrodes)
are down the sides. This will mean these metal strips are
facing the insides of your thighs; hip to hip as opposed to
front to back.
d. Gently insert the head of probe into your vagina. Gently
continue to push the probe 2 inches (5.5cm) inside your
vagina. This is less than you would insert a tampon. The
base of the probe and the wires should always remain on
the outside of your body. To ease insertion, we recommend
that you use a good quality water-based lubricant such
as KE Gel. The lubricant not only helps insertion but also
improves connectivity and the transfer of electrical pulses
from the probe to your muscles.
6. Press the green power button to turn the unit on.
7. Press the PRG button to choose a programme. By pressing PRG
repeatedly you can look through the programmes and using this
key, select the one suitable for you:
These two pre-conception programmes are recommended for prepara-
tion for pregnancy. They work to strengthen your pelvic oor with a general
tness routine for two positive outcomes – strengthening the muscles in
preparation for pregnancy and increasing intimate sensation whilst trying
to conceive.
This is the TENS programme which is not used for exercising and is only
used for pain relief in labour (see Managing Labour With Mother Nurture).
KE1 – Pelvic Sensitivity, Strength
and Endurance
KE2 – Pelvic Sensitivity, Strength
and Endurance Workout
LBR – Labour Pain Relief Programme
Exercising with Kegel8 Mother Nurture