Hospital Debuts New Coping Tool for Labor and Delivery
1/5/2018
While giving birth is no laughing matter, some patients at Lake Norman Regional Medical Center may find that using the hospital’s new nitrous oxide option might make them smile as their pain becomes more tolerable.
Nitrous oxide, more commonly known as laughing gas, has been widely and safely used for years in a different formula in dentist offices. Now hospitals like LNRMC are using the fast-acting analgesic as an additional pain management tool.
Arin McClune, RNC-OB, Perinatal Program Coordinator, said that the nitrous oxide “works really well during early labor, and for patients who don’t want much intervention."
“It doesn’t tie you to the bed like an epidural does, so patients can move and walk around freely,” she said. “It’s not really going to take away the pain like an epidural would, but it’s used more to cope with the discomfort.” Director of Women’s Services, Julie Mauney, said education on what to expect will dictate the effectiveness of the gas for each patient.
“If the patient expects the gas to take away their pain, it’s not going to work well for them,” she said. “It’s more of a coping tool, and isn’t meant to take the place of an epidural or a narcotic I.V.”
McClune added, “It’s just a good, non-invasive tool to have for people who may want to go more natural.”
She explained that the gas, a mix of 50 percent oxygen and 50 percent nitrous oxide, is self-administered and takes effect in minutes, but also wears off and gets out of your system quickly. The gas cannot be used in conjunction with an epidural or two hours after a narcotic I.V.
“While you’re breathing it in, it will work, and there are minimal to no side effects for most patients,” she said. “To have something like this at a small community hospital is cutting edge, and I really like that we make strides to be on the forefront.”
The nitrous oxide option has been offered at the hospital since Nov. 1, and so far, 15 patients have chosen to use the gas. McClune said they’ve gotten very positive feedback so far.
“We think the gas will help us in our mission to support more vaginal deliveries, and we’ve already seen a decrease in our c-section rates over the past six months,” she said. “This is just one more tool that will help us in that mission.”
McClune said that local doctors' offices have information about the nitrous oxide to better inform their patients, and recommends asking your health care professional to learn more about your birthing options.
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