Nitrous oxide during delivery

Virginialeigh · November 2016

So I was listening to a report on NPR this morning about using Nitrous during labor. I didn't know that was an option. But it sounded like something I would be into seeing as I don't want an epidural but I don't do well with pain. And while this is my second child I never went into labor with the first (emergency c-section 2 weeks early), so I still don't know what to expect. Just wondering if any of you have thoughts, feelings, experiences you could share with me about nitrous?

nwshay · November 2016

I work in the dental field so we use it a lot. I'm not sure how it is during labor, but here it make you more calm. Less caring about what is happening. It mostly helps with anxiety. It can make you feel like you've had a glass of wine or two. What's nice is that one's you breath 100% oxygen for a couple of minutes it is completely out of your system so you aren't all drugged up.

lovelongdog06 · November 2016

I think it's just starting to pop up as an option for labor pain relief in the US but it's been used in Europe for a long time. I personally think it's because the almighty epidural is too lucrative for hospitals. I think nitrous is a great idea.

BeachMommy2B · November 2016

The only thing I would wonder is if during labor it could cause issues with oxygen levels to the baby.

@SDSwenson when you say a couple minutes of 100% oxygen do you just mean the normal air? or do you actually mean an oxygen mask? (i'm not meaning this to be a smart ass, i'm really curious) because our air we breath is only something like 27% oxygen. I don't think you could breathe 100% oxygen, it can actually be toxic to our bodies.

cafedisco · November 2016

When I've read about its use in other countries, it makes a lot of sense to me! I think it would be wonderful if it was available in the US...does anyone know if this is becoming widespread here? I'm pretty sure in Holland homebirth midwives can bring it with them, though I'm not sure where I read that. It would be awesome to have another pain management option at home.

nwshay · November 2016

@Beachmommy2b from a mask. And as far as oxygen levels to the baby, I'd be curious about that too. In the dental office we can only crank ours up to 70% nitrous and 30% oxygen or something like that... I'll have to look. So you are still getting adequate oxygen but I would be curious.

Blueberry85 · November 2016

I've used it when I had my wisdom teeth out, and anecdotally I'm familiar with it for labor use from my friends in the UK. I agree it would be great if it becomes more readily available in the US for labor purposes.

Here is a write up from NPR for reference: https://www.npr.org/sections/health-shots/2016/11/07/500273361/laughing-gas-gives-women-another-option-to-manage-labor-pain

Koukonei · November 2016

I used it a bit during transition (just during the contractions) as I was told it doesn't cross the placenta and was safe. It did absolutely nothing for me, just gave me something to concentrate on since the freaking nurse kept touching me and breaking me out of my zone and I was ready to punch her

This time around, I won't be using it at all.

NurseLaLa · November 2016

BeachMommy2B said:

The only thing I would wonder is if during labor it could cause issues with oxygen levels to the baby.

An epidural or IV pain medication is more likely to do this, actually.

ladameperdue · November 2016

All my friends in the UK said it was great. I don't understand why it's not an option in most US hospitals. That said, I know two Brits here who ordered it online and used it at home for early labor! (sounds dangerous to me personally without training)

MWoodside · November 2016

I can't imagine staying focused while using nitrous. It's not advised for me to use it anyways bc I have an MTHFR mutation. I am going for another med free birth.

blessedinmt · November 2016

@MWoodside Why is nitrous not advised if you have MTHFR? Are other pain control meds contraindicated as well? Are you on Lovenox? What issues have you had that are thought to be attributed to the mutation?

Sorry - - I'm really curious. I've had recurrent pregnancy losses and have pushed for MTHFR testing to no avail.

cafedisco · November 2016

@MWoodside I'm really curious about MTHFR as well. My midwife would like me to get a panel done but I'm not sure who will do that for me.

Virginialeigh · November 2016

@ladameperdue it isn't more wide spread here because epidurals are more lucrative for hospitals. Nitrous costs next to nothing and some hospitals will give it for free.

ladameperdue · November 2016

@Virginialeigh So sad, isn't it? That said, the UK goes too far in the opposite direction; it's often much more difficult to access an epidural there if you want one (because more expensive, etc). Thankfully within the last few years, guidance has been updated to say that all women giving birth within NHS should be able to access one if they choose, but still depends very much on local supply, timing etc. : /

MWoodside · November 2016

thecavfamily said:

@MWoodside Why is nitrous not advised if you have MTHFR? Are other pain control meds contraindicated as well? Are you on Lovenox? What issues have you had that are thought to be attributed to the mutation?

Sorry - - I'm really curious. I've had recurrent pregnancy losses and have pushed for MTHFR testing to no avail.

Those with MTHFR Mutations can't quickly detox from many things like someone without the mutation can- nitrous is one of those things. There is a whole list of things advised against.

No lovenox. No one will prescribe me blood thinners bc I've had two healthy births. I've had two losses as well- one unexplained at 14 wks, one at 9.

I asked for the test just before my fourth pregnancy (ended up second loss) bc I had read a list of symptoms and a lightbulb went off and I just instinctively knew I had a mutation. I was correct- I'm homozygous 677. Insurance denied the test and it cost $777.

Both my girls also have midline defects (tongue and lip ties. Shallow sacral dimples, DD1 has a double uvula). They don't cause issue for either child but orcas another clue.

I take baby aspirin this pregnancy. Let me know if you have other questions.

MWoodside · November 2016

@cafedisco, any dr can order it since its a blood draw. I asked my gym (who manages my thyroid) to add it to the blood test order and he did, no questions asked. Insurance typically denies it though and mine was $777 so beware. He had my homocysteine checked, too, which is really important with MTHFR and it was ideal range, thankfully.

jennielynn+ · November 2016

Our hospital (we are in the US) offers this now. I'm going to talk to my OB about it when d-day is closer. I have never had it for a dental procedure so, I would have no idea what to expect or how it would make me feel. With my 1st delivery, I pushed for over an hour. I don't think I had the best support. (Although, I have heard that is average pushing time for a 1st delivery.)

From what I understand, you would use it during the height of a contraction when you should be pushing the hardest?

cafedisco · November 2016

MWoodside said:

@cafedisco, any dr can order it since its a blood draw. I asked my gym (who manages my thyroid) to add it to the blood test order and he did, no questions asked. Insurance typically denies it though and mine was $777 so beware. He had my homocysteine checked, too, which is really important with MTHFR and it was ideal range, thankfully

Stuck in the box!

Thanks for the info. Do you have a good online source you recommend? This is a new thing for me and there seems to be a lot of misinformation out there.

WkoutMomtoBe · November 2016

I've been hearing about this but it's not for me. I had it when I had teeth pulled as a teen (yay braces) and it gave me chest pains and panic attack. I've refused it since

MWoodside · November 2016

@cafedisco, there is a fb group for the specific mutation I hsbe and a separate fb group for MTHFR + pregnancy. Check those out.

smallanimal · November 2016

@BeachMommy2B It is not pure oxygen, unlike those "bottled oxygens", it's a mix, hence the name "nitrous oxygen".

The bottled oxygen does not act as a painkiller, it is purely to keep you from suffocating from the lack of oxygen, for example when climbing a mountain. I bought some when we climbed mount Fuji, and did not need it up top, so we "sucked it" actually when we got back into the hotel (lest it go to waste, it was at the price of gold) and it is an amazing feeling, like a small, clear high that revitalises a lot, but no pain relief.

Not sure which one is it that is offered but I am pretty sure it is safe.

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