McLaren Greater Lansing is now offering nitrous oxide as an option for patients who are experiencing pain and anxiety during labor but would prefer to labor without an epidural.
“One of the benefits to nitrous oxide is a reduced perception of pain and anxiety,” said Dr. Russell, an obstetrics and gynecology physician and medical director at McLaren Medical Group. “Other advantages are that it’s patient self administered, takes effect quickly, and you are still able to move freely.”
The benefits seem endless with nitrous oxide, which is why many moms are asking for it today. McLaren Greater Lansing offers the Pro-Nox Nitrious Oxide Delivery System; the medication is made up of 50% oxygen and 50% nitrous analgesia, which is the standard dose.
“One of the great things about nitrous is you get relief almost immediately and the affects are gone within 30-40 seconds or as soon as you take a couple of breaths outside of the mask,” Russell said. “So it helps you get through your contractions but you aren’t bound to the bed.”
There are no known risk factors for using nitrous for the mom or baby. Since the medicine is absorbed through the lungs, it doesn’t disrupt the release of oxytocin and therefore does not affect breastfeeding or the baby’s alertness during the golden hour, which is the first hour after birth.