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Every pregnancy is unique, and every labor is too. That’s why it’s important to know your pain relief options before you’re in the delivery room. Expecting mothers with Community Health Network can choose nitrous oxide, often called laughing gas, as a pain management option to help them through childbirth.
Nitrous oxide is a colorless, non-flammable gas that has a long history as a medical sedative. You might be most familiar with it in relation to dental procedures. Nitrous oxide is a depressant, meaning it slows your body down, helping relieve anxiety and manage pain.
Laughing gas is self-administered during delivery by holding a small mask to your nose and mouth and inhaling. The effects of the gas will be felt within a minute, and wear off quickly once the mask is removed.
There are a few reasons why women are electing to use nitrous oxide during childbirth. The fact that it’s self-administered and its quick-acting effects give women a sense of control over their own pain management.
Using nitrous oxide also doesn’t limit mobility. In fact, laboring mothers can change positions or walk around the room with the assistance of hospital staff.
But the main reason why nitrous oxide has seen a recent rise in popularity in the delivery room is for women to avoid using an epidural or narcotic pain medication. And if you and your birthing team choose to switch to a different pain management option during labor, nitrous oxide can be halted at any time.
Like most pain management options, nitrous oxide does have side effects for the mother including dizziness, nausea, vomiting, and lightheadedness. Because of these side effects, mothers cannot use the labor tub while under the effects of nitrous oxide. The side effects should generally resolve around ten minutes after the cessation of nitrous oxide intake.
When it comes to the health of the baby, nitrous oxide is safe for women to use and will not have any negative effects on the baby.
It’s important to know your options during childbirth. If nitrous oxide is something you’re interested in for your birth plan, start a conversation with your OB/GYN or certified nurse-midwife. And if you don’t have an OB/GYN or certified nurse-midwife, you can find the right Community provider for you on Find a Doctor.
