Nitrous Oxide, A Pain Reliever
Have you seen the famous “laughing gas” in movies or cartoons? It is nitrous oxide and, for some time, it has been used as a painkiller when giving birth. What is striking is that the results appear to be positive. We review more about this curious technique.
Countries such as Canada, England, Finland, Sweden, and Australia routinely use this gas to anesthetize women during labor. It is a component with a slightly sweet aroma and low in toxicity. In addition, for these occasions, it is mixed with another 50% oxygen; this is called entonol.
What is the effect of nitrous oxide?
When used as an analgesic, the action of nitrous oxide is to neutralize the brain’s transmission of pain. This is evidenced by a study published in the journal Neuropharmacology .
Its first uses in the field of medicine were related to dental extractions. Of course, it was a feeling that has little to do with labor pain.
In principle, women experience some dizziness and relaxation. Although the pain is felt, the gas provides a sense of relief and control of the situation.
It is generally used as the only pain reliever. Compared to epidural anesthesia, it is somewhat less effective in terms of calming effect.
Advantages of nitrous oxide as calming in labor
Despite the fact that in some countries, such as the United States, they question its operation and it has even been banned, nitrous oxide has the following virtues:
- It has fast action. As it does not dissolve in blood and other tissues, it provides rapid anesthesia. Likewise, its effect also wears off shortly after the supply is discontinued.
- It is effectively removed. This is mostly done through the lungs, although minimal diffusions through the skin have also been detected. The approximate removal time is two minutes. There is evidence of poisoning, although it is really an unlikely situation if controlled doses are used.
- It does not affect the fetus or the mother. It has also been proven that it does not have negative consequences for breastfeeding nor does it repress uterine contractions.
- It is easy to supply. A mask is placed on the mother and, in a matter of seconds, she is admitted via the lung. In addition, it is the woman herself who administers the doses.
- Sensation of natural birth. Those who have used it note that nitrous oxide allows a more natural delivery than epidurals. Although the pain is felt a little more, you do not lose the sensation or control of the push.
- It is cheaper than the epidural.
How to use?
The curiosity of this method is that it is the mother herself who doses the inhalation. How does it work? Once the mask is in place and depending on the stage of labor, the woman takes more or less deep inhalations, also following the instructions of the midwife and the nurses.
Before each contraction, inhale deeply and slowly. Since it takes about 30 seconds to take effect, it usually coincides with the time of greatest pain. Once its effect wears off, the contraction will be over.
This is the basis of its use: to match your maximum analgesia point with the maximum pain of the contraction. With a couple of tries, women in labor usually succeed.
Disadvantages of nitrous oxide
The first one has to do with the intensity of the pain. As it is analgesic and not anesthetic, it reduces the intensity of the sensation but does not suppress it. Therefore, if it becomes unbearable, the woman will have to resort to other more powerful methods.
On the other hand, it tends to cause nausea. Sometimes these can be very annoying. It occurs between 25% and 30% of the time it is used in childbirth.
Finally, although to a much lesser extent, other side effects may also appear:
- Dry mouth
- Drowsiness.
- Ringing in the ears
- Alterations in memory.
- Tingling
- Feeling of euphoria
Logically, there are cases in which its use is contraindicated. This is the case when the mother suffers from lung problems or cranial hypertension. However, it does not happen very often.
Nitrous oxide, an alternative to anesthesia
In conclusion, it can be said that it is a safe method for women who prefer its use. At the end of the day, it is a choice of each: not all suffer from pain in the same way.
