TENS for Labor/Delivery

Tens is predominantly used in Europe, more so than in U.S., for labor and delivery pain. The patient often purchases a unit specific for the delivery process and is instructed prior to the need on how to use the unit.

Many years ago in the U.S. 3M company had a unit specific to the delivery process and integrated into it's design a "squeeze handle" which incresed the power when squeezed. This adaptation for this procedure was based upon most people tend to squeeze their hands when they experience pain and taking advantage of that response the patient would regulate the amount of stimulation concurrent with her degree of pain. Unfortunately in the U.S. labor pain is not regarded as "chronic" so the use of the unit was not covered and as with many innovations in the U.S. the unit soon was discontinued.

That is unfortunate as the units are totally safe, totally drug-free thusly leaving the patient in control and it does not affect the natural responses to childbirth ( other than pain reduction!!).

In the U.S. it is not unusual to see Physical Therapists use the units themselves for labor and delivery and also the units are very helpful for Caeserean section patients used post operatively.