Family Birth Unit offers more pain control options during childbirth

OHSU Tuality Healthcare’s Family Birth Unit now offers nitrous oxide as a pain and anxiety relief option during childbirth.

Commonly called laughing gas, nitrous oxide is an odorless, tasteless gas that has made a resurgence as a labor analgesic in the U.S. over the past few years.

“There is a large demand for the anesthetic/analgesic and highly sought after by women looking for pain relief options during labor,” said Juliette Bauer, M.S.N, RN, clinical specialty leader.

According to the Journal of Midwifery & Women’s Health, “Nitrous oxide labor analgesia is safe for the mother, fetus, and neonate. It is simple to administer, does not interfere with the release and function of endogenous oxytocin, and has no adverse effects on the normal physiology and progress of labor.”

The amount of nitrous oxide is controlled by the birthing mother. She simply puts a mask over her nose and mouth and inhales as needed. The gas is exhaled and free from the body within about five minutes.

Nitrous oxide is offered in over 400 hospitals and birthing centers in the country.