Nitrous Oxide for Pain Relief During Labor
What is nitrous oxide?
Nitrous oxide is a tasteless and odorless gas. It is a mixture of 50% nitrous gas and 50% oxygen and is inhaled through a mask as needed. It is used widely in dental offices, where most people know of it as "laughing gas." It has been, and still is, widely used in Europe for pain relief during labor.
How does it work?
You hold your own mask to your face, inhale and exhale the gas mixture into the mask about 30 seconds before a contraction begins. Starting before a contraction begins helps the gas to reach its peak effect at about the same time as the contraction reaches its peak, providing the greatest relief.
Does it have any side effects?
Some women have reported nausea after prolonged use; medication to help ease the nausea is available if that happens. It can also cause some unsteadiness when up walking or out of bed, which is why there should always be a family member or staff person in the room when you would like to get out of the chair or bed, in case you need assistance.
Are there any effects on baby?
There are no known effects on the baby. Nitrous is the only pain relief method used for labor that is cleared from the body through your lungs, so as soon as you pull the mask away, the nitrous effect is gone within a breath or two.
Who administers nitrous?
You do! Nitrous is self-administered by the laboring woman. You breathe it in as you feel the need. Once you decide you want to use it, your provider will order it and a member of the health care team will come to your room, set it up and review how to use it.
Are there any reasons I could not use it?
You cannot use it if you cannot hold your own facemask or have received a dose of narcotic in the past hour. You cannot use nitrous if you have pernicious anemia or a B12 deficiency.
Can I still be out of bed and use nitrous?
Yes, you may get out of bed with assistance 5 minutes after you stop inhaling the nitrous. While using nitrous you must be seated or lying down.
Is there any extra monitoring required?
No, there is not extra monitoring required if you choose nitrous.