TUCSON, Ariz. — We often think of women in labor being offered epidurals or narcotics for pain relief. But what about laughing gas?
Laughing gas, or nitrous oxide, has been an option for laboring moms since the 1930s. It is more popular overseas, but hospitals and birthing centers in the U.S. are slowly integrating the option.
"In the U.K., in Australia, in Finland there are over 50-percent of women in labor that do use nitrous oxide. Right now, in the U.S. We're at about one-percent and there are limited institutions that are actually using it.," said Dr. Heather Reed, the medical director of labor and delivery at BUMC.
But Banner UMC Tucson is set to have nitrous oxide as an option to laboring moms in the next six months.
"It is something that is totally self-administered by the patient, so you have complete control over it. it's a mask that you put up over your face and you breath in and out. Its great because its quick on, quick off, baby doesn't see a lot of it. There's not a lot of effects on baby, and its totally controlled by the patient," said Reed.
Studies have shown nitrous oxide is safe for mom and baby to inhale during labor. It kicks in quickly as fast as it wears off.
"Once you feel the pain and you want to put the mask on, it takes about 30 second for you to feel some of that pain relief. In 50 seconds you're at maximum pain relief. And then the minute you take the mask away from your face, you have 30 second left of kind of a little bit of pain control and then its out of your system," said Reed.
Nitrous oxide doesn't cover all labor pain, but you are able to stay mobile while using it. Unlike, an epidural for example, where you won't be able to move around much after taking it.
"Labor pain is really hard to control, but what it does is kind of take the edge off and put you in a more relaxed place to begin with, so you're able to handle that pain a little bit better that contraction comes," said Reed.
If you are expecting, check to see if nitrous oxide is available with your desired hospital. Then check with that hospital, and your insurance,to see how much using nitrous oxide during labor will cost you.
