Labor pains for expecting mothers in the United States is not a thing anymore as more hospitals are already offering nitrous oxide to divert the attention of patients off their pains. The pain management tool originally used by dentists is now becoming an alternative to pain reducing drugs. As Ohio already adapted the compound earlier this month, more and more hospitals and birth centers are said to be using it successfully.
After the state of Illinois, recent reports reveal that even Indiana is already using the laughing gas as an alternative to anti-labor pain drugs. Expecting mothers admitted at the Birthing Center of St. Vincent Anderson Regional Hospital can already utilize nitrous oxide during labor. Furthermore, doctors can administer the compound for procedures that may be required after giving birth. The hospital started to use the nitrogen oxide since Jan. 1.
Dylan Kardatzke, a registered nurse and practice facilitator at the above-mentioned hospital said that nitrous oxide can be given to mothers who wish to have a natural birth procedure but wish to diminish the labor pain. Such birth plan reportedly forbids the use of pain-reducing drugs hence the use of an alternate solution. "It can help them keep that birth plan of not wanting the epidural and not wanting the narcotics but a lot of times they will get to 8 to 9 centimeters dilated and need something to take the edge off," Kardatzke said in a statement as cited by the Bluefield Daily Telegraph.
Following the approval of the utilization of nitrous oxide in birthing centers, the American Pregnancy Association has pointed out several benefits of using the laughing gas during the self-labor. Mothers might love the fact that the alternative is self-administered hence avoiding the costs of hiring anesthesiologists or prescribing doctors. Expecting mothers will simply have to hold a mask discharging the gas to their face, and the drug will then dissipate quickly. As it dissolves faster than drugs, side effects like dizziness, vomiting and nausea.
Reports reveal that the St. Vincent Anderson Regional hospital has just added the nitrous oxide to its pain management options after one of its staff learned from a conference about its uses. Meanwhile, The Columbus Dispatch reported that the nitrous oxide has been a popular pain-management solution in the United Kingdom. As per report, the compound has already been used in the birthing process in the United States since 2017 but by only five birthing centers.
As for mothers who are worrying about the true effect of the new option of pain management, Kardatzke said that the laughing gas does not totally take away the pain. Mothers going through labor will still feel the labor pains and delivery at the same time but will make them care less of the pain. It is also important to note that the nitrous oxide might not be effective to everyone, but patients can shift to another narcotic pain medication once observed that the gas is not taking effect.
