Using Nitrous Oxide in Labor - What Does the Evidence Say
Average Read Time: 4 minutes
Many people in my childbirth education classes are surprised when I tell them that nitrous oxide is available to help navigate the sensations of labor! “You mean… like the dentist?” YES, I do!
In order to explain the ins and outs of nitrous oxide use as a comfort measure for labor, I’m going to use my tried and true EBRAINS acronym to help you make an informed decision about nitrous oxide use during labor. Don’t know what I’m talking about? Check out my blog here!
EBRAINS for Nitrous Oxide
Explanation: Nitrous oxide is a combination of 50% nitrous gas, 50% oxygen, and is administered via a mask that goes over the nose and mouth of the birthing person. Only the laboring person can administer the gas, a partner/doula cannot hold the mask for them! (Nor can they use the mask themselves! :D) The laboring person puts the mask firmly over their nose and mouth at the beginning of a contraction and breathes in and out for the entirety of the contraction, removing the mask when the sensation winds down. They repeat for as many contractions as they want!
Benefits: Nitrous oxide does not actually remove the sensation of a contraction - instead, it helps you manage the stress, anxiety and fear that come along with the pain. Its goal is to help you relax through the sensations you are feeling. That means that nitrous oxide is a great pain management option for someone who wants to still feel connected to the process of childbirth, or for someone who is considering an epidural later on but wants to continue to move around for now. Nitrous oxide starts to work almost immediately as it’s administered, which means that relief can begin as soon as the machine is set up. The gas also leaves your body very quickly, so even though the gas might be in you and entering your baby’s oxygen, it is completely out of the body within 5 minutes of the end of use. Nitrous oxide isn’t permanent, so you can use it for as long or as little as you’d like, including during and after the delivery of your baby (some people find it useful if stitches are needed to repair a tear after birth).
Risks: Some people using nitrous oxide report that it’s difficult to figure out the administration of the gas, which can actually make them more frustrated by the sensations of their contractions. I always tell people to try it for at least five contractions to figure out how to administer it properly.
Alternatives: Movement, epidural, hydrotherapy, counterpressure, TENS machine, and many more!
Nothing: One of the reasons I suggest nitrous oxide to clients, especially in early labor, is that you can be done with it whenever you want. You can try it once, and if you hate it, you never have to do it again! So doing nothing just means you’re going to be using other comfort measures to help you navigate labor and delivery.
Side Effects: Dizziness, nausea, vomiting, drowsiness
All in all, nitrous oxide is a decision that you can make for your pain management during labor. I hope the information above was helpful to keep you informed of your options and empowered through your birth!
Interested in taking a childbirth education class with me to learn more about both medical and non-medical comfort measures for labor? Email me here!
Citations:
American Pregnancy Association
