University of Colorado Hospital will become the first hospital in the region to offer nitrous oxide to women during labor for pain management.
Officials at the hospital’s Colorado Institute for Maternal and Fetal Health said patients have been asking for nitrous oxide, perhaps better known as “laughing gas.” They can get it starting Monday.
“Countries around the world have used nitrous oxide for many years during labor and childbirth,” said certified nurse-midwife Jessica Anderson in a news release Wednesday. “We believe it can really help women get through contractions or procedures with less discomfort.”
Nitrous oxide has been considered a safe sedative agent in dentistry when mixed with oxygen and inhaled through a small mask that fits over the nose. Effects include tingling, lightheadedness and heaviness of limbs but generally make people feel calm.
Unlike someone at the dentist, a mother-to-be can breathe through the mask for a short time to help her through a contraction and then set it aside. The effects wear off soon after the mask is removed.
Officials said breathing nitrous oxide gives patients additional oxygen and triggers release of endorphins.
Extensive research has shown that there are no harmful effects for babies or mothers, and it doesn’t interfere with the woman’s ability to push during labor or to communicate, said obstetric anesthesiologist Cristina Wood.
