How Is Nitrous Oxide Used During Labor?
Nitrous Oxide is inhaled through a mask during labor. It provides short term pain relief. It does not take the pain of contractions away completely, but tends to numb them. You hold the mask yourself over your face at the onset of each contraction and you breathe in very deeply. Women report that the gas helps them to feel a sense of well-being and to be better able to cope with the contractions. It only takes about 30 seconds to feel the effects from the gas, and it wears off as soon as you take the mask off. For the best effect, the woman needs to start breathing it in as soon as the contraction starts. This will ensure that the maximum effect of the gas is felt at the peak of the contraction.
