Claire
Nitrous oxide, also known as “gas and air,” is a mixture of nitrous oxide and oxygen that you can use during labour to help you relax and feel more comfortable.
Nitrous oxide has been shown to reduce the need for epidurals and other pain relief methods. It’s also been shown to help women relax and focus on their breathing during labour.
There are no known side effects from using nitrous oxide during labour, but it does make you feel lightheaded, which can be scary if you’re not expecting it. If you’re pregnant or breastfeeding, talk with your doctor before using nitrous oxide during labour. If you’re not sure whether it’s safe to use nitrous oxide during labour, talk with your doctor before deciding whether to try it.
Your doctor may be able to offer alternatives that have fewer side effects or no side effects at all. Nitrous oxide is safe to use during labour and helps reduce pain. It only takes a few minutes for the effects to wear off, so if you need more pain relief, talk with your doctor about other options.
The gas is also not safe for you to use if you have certain medical conditions, including tuberculosis or severe asthma. Nitrous oxide can pass through the placenta and into your bloodstream, so it’s important to talk with your doctor before using it during labour.
While there are no known side effects from using nitrous oxide during labour, it does make you feel lightheaded, which can be scary if you’re not expecting it.
How many of you used nitrous during your labour?! Did you like it or hate it?? Let us know in our comments!
Image credit @mommy.labornurse on Instagram
Originally posted 2022-10-12 13:18:51.
I used it but basically right as I started pushing so it was mostly just a tube for me to stifle my yelling with 🤣🤣
It was useful the pain associated with my induction process, but found it did nothing to relieve any contraction pain….the epidural worked well for that!
I plan on having this as my go to while at the birthing center. I plan to go unmedicated but this is my pain management. Love that this information is available
I loved it! It worked so well that at one point I had to put it down to even feel contractions.
Loved it. But, just wasn’t enough with my first.
I was excited for it but in the long run I hated it. It didn’t seem helpful and actually made me feel sick!
Not an option due to COVID… maybe next time?
I didn’t use but nice to know it was an a option even for home births. A number of my physio clients have used it with a mix of feelings about it – some had the negative side effects and others didn’t
“Nitrous oxide is classified as a pregnancy risk group Category C medication, meaning that there is a risk of fetal harm if administered during pregnancy. It is recommended that pregnant women, both patients and staff, avoid exposure to nitrous oxide.”
Yeah I saw it in Call the Midwife lol
Didn’t do anything for me😂
Had to ask, why shudnt opioids be given with nitrous oxide?
It got me through active labour (induced) !! I went in adamant that I did not want an epidural so this honestly was the best choice and made it sooooo much easier!
In the UK its called gas and air and its a stick with a mouth piece you breathe in so can take it away when you want. It’s amazing but did make me really sick during my last labour. But still used it lol xx
I was so excited to use this and…. it didn’t do anything! All I could smell was the plastic of the mask!
Loved and definitely helped during those painful contractions!!!! Will be using it again for baby #2 in 4 weeks!
I tried it with a couple, but always panicked because you have to have a good seal on your mouth and nose and its humid ish. I don’t think I ever got a seal at all because it always did nothing for me.
I had a love/hate relationship with nitrous. I felt that the effects it provided were adequate in relieving the pain (I had back labor so let me tell you the pain was intense!). The part I hated was that I had to be the one to control it. My husband couldn’t help by holding the mask for me, it was only me that could touch it. In the moment of labor I wanted my hands free and with the nitrous that wasn’t a possibility.