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Can you really laugh your way through the birthing process? I'll let you know if I ever see a mamma experience that! However, you can utilize nitrous oxide, also known as laughing gas. N2O has been being used since the late 1900's and is used quite often during birth in other countries such as Canada, Finland, Australia, the UK , and Sweden, all known for their high standards of health care. Nitrous is now making it's way into birth centers and hospitals in the United States, and will hopefully be utilized by more women as they educate themselves on pain relief options. It's low cost with low risk and can allow a birthing mother to have a natural birth who may also need a little extra help relaxing and coping with the experience.
What are the benefits?
-This 50% mix of N20 and O2 is perfectly safe for both you and your baby. Because you only metabolize less than 1% of the nitrous oxide, meaning you immediately breath out more than 99%, the gas never crosses the placenta
-Nitrous oxide doesn't affect your natural production of oxytocin, the hormone your body creates that stimulates contractions, which means that you don't need to worry about your labor slowing down because you're using the nitrous.
-Because nitrous oxide is both a anxiolytic and an analgesic, it decreases both anxiety and perceptions of pain. It interferes with your body's production of the stress inducing cortisol and increases dopamine, endorphins, and natural opioids.
-Has no negative effects on breastfeeding or your baby's alertness after birth
-You are in complete control! Legally, in order to use N2O, it must be self-administered. That means that you alone can lift up the mask and hold it to your face or remove it. This gives you the freedom to use it when YOU feel that you want or need it.
-Affects disappear within 5 minutes after you stop inhaling. This gives you the option to try something else, to go to the bathroom, and move around as much as you'd like.
Are there side effects?
Of course. As with any intervention, there will be the possibility of negative side effects.
Most common are dizziness, nausea, and vomiting. Some women may experience hazy memories, fatigue, and headaches. None of these are life threatening and are far more positive than negative side effects associated with pain relief narcotics.
It is known that women with a B12 deficiency should not use nitrous oxide as it is shown to further decrease levels.
How do I use it?
If you are interested in using nitrous oxide for your birth, talk to your health care provider to check if they provide this option. If you choose to use it, they will bring in the equipment to your room during your labor and hand you the mask. You place the mask over your mouth and nose, creating a seal, and breath in and exhale into the mask.
Start breathing in 30 seconds before your next contraction. It takes about 50 seconds for you to feel the affects, so breathing it in before the contraction is vital if you want to get the best results from it.
Remove the mask in between contractions or remove it completely if you no longer want to use it.
Simple as that!
As I said, nitrous oxide is a low cost low risk option for pain relief during labor and delivery. This is a great option for mothers and can help drastically with the anxiety that many experience during labor.
Honestly, I feel like I could use this most days dealing with two toddlers who like to smash crackers in their hair and scream at the top of their lungs. (can I get an amen??)
What do you think? Is this something you'd be willing to try?
Sources:
https://www.mamanatural.com/laughing-gas/
http://americanpregnancy.org/labor-and-birth/nitrous-oxide-labor/