nitrous oxide for labor

[canoehead, BSN, RN]

One of the docs at my hospital would like to start using nitrous oxide for women needing pain relief in labor. Does anyone do this (or have you in the past?). If you used to, do you remember why you stopped? Any articles, or stories would be much appreciated. I know when I was a student in the late 80's we were still using it in Canada.

I've heard that women can get out of control when using nitrous- how often does that happen? What's the effect on the baby?

Thanks for all comments.

[epg_pei]

They're still using it at the regional hospital. I had no idea there was a problem with using nitrous. Only thing was hubby was holding the mask on her face and she was really going out, had to tell him to let go.

[fergus51]

We were still using it last year when I was in OB. No real problems with it because it is excreted so quickly. I have had a few moms get dizzy, but none of them were stupid enough to suck it in until they passed out or anything. I just found it wasn't very effective for pain relief, but never had any bad outcomes with it.

[chris_at_lucas_RN, RN]

I'll bet the pharmaceutical companies will have issues with it!

[babynurselsa, RN]

I have never used it in the L&D realm, but we did use it occasionally when I worked ER. Used it one night on a kid who had some signifigant burns. He was a riot. He would look up grinning and say "Still hurts like &*$%, but I don't care." He would be snickering the whole time and singing to us.

It does excrete quickly so I would think it would not have any lasting effects on the baby either. I have heard some of the grammas talk about getting it many years ago.

[OBNurseShelley]

I had no idea anywhere still used this, I had heard of it being used YEARS ago, but with the increased use of epidurals, I guess it was phased out??? I'd love to know more about this if anyone has any links to articles or anything???