Women who want to labor with minimal interventions and choose to deliver at Baptist Health Medical Center-North Little Rock now have the option of using nitrous oxide, more commonly known as “laughing gas,” for pain management.
The effects of nitrous oxide are different for every woman, but it is said to allow you to relax and cope with labor. Nitrous oxide used for labor discomfort is a mixture of 50% nitrous gas and 50% oxygen. It is inhaled through a hand-held mask and self-administered, allowing mom to use it as needed with each contraction. The gas slows the nervous system, which makes you feel less inhibited. It also can create a sense of well-being or euphoria.
Starting to inhale before a contraction allows the pain relief to occur when the contraction reaches its peak, providing the greatest relief. It may be beneficial for women who are prone to anxiety or want the ability to move more freely during labor.
It is also less invasive than an epidural and has fewer side effects for both mother and baby. With nitrous oxide, mothers can safely breastfeed after delivery without concern of passing IV medications to their baby.
With nitrous oxide, you can choose to stop before your infant’s delivery and instead use another form of pain relief such as IV narcotics or an epidural. However, nitrous oxide cannot be used in conjunction with other forms of pain management.
For more information about pregnancy and childbirth at Baptist Health, visit Baptist-Health.com or call (888) BAPTIST.