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Pass the Laughing Gas! A Rising Trend for Labor Pain Relief
Imagine breezing through your labor with a chuckle! Across the nation, hospitals are expanding their options for managing pain during childbirth—drawing inspiration from 19th-century physicians and party-loving teens alike. According to NPR, nitrous oxide, widely known as laughing gas, is becoming an increasingly popular alternative to epidurals, helping to dull the intense sensations of childbirth.
And when we say it “takes the edge off,” we mean it. Does this expectant mom look like she’s in agony? I could’ve used a good giggle myself.
Until recently, pregnant women felt they had only two choices: endure the excruciating pains of labor or opt for an epidural that numbs everything. Enter the third option—laughing gas (the same stuff you might have inhaled at a friend’s basement party back in high school). Administered through a breathing mask connected to a portable cart, laughing gas offers a balanced solution that many women are eager to try. Users can inhale nitrous oxide as needed, experiencing a brief euphoric high that helps to ease the discomfort of contractions.
“When the contractions started getting pretty intense, I was like, wow, this is pretty rough,” said Sarah Thompson, a new mom from New Jersey, in an interview with NPR. “So they brought in the gas, and it really helped make things more manageable.”
Prior to 2011, when the FDA approved new equipment for nitrous oxide use in delivery rooms, only a handful of U.S. hospitals offered this option to laboring women. Fast forward to today, and nearly 300 hospitals and birth centers provide nitrous oxide during childbirth. While this method has been utilized in other parts of the world for years, many healthcare professionals vouch for its safety for both mother and child, especially in small doses. Though it doesn’t eliminate pain like an epidural does, it can create a relaxed atmosphere that distracts from discomfort. Not to mention, nitrous oxide is generally more affordable than an epidural, making it a favorite among midwives.
“It gives you this euphoric feeling that helps you forget about the pain for a little while,” remarked Jenna Roberts, a midwife, to NPR.
So, could laughing gas be the answer to more than just childbirth? Perhaps we could get a prescription to help cope with the challenges of teething toddlers, rebellious teens, and everything in between?
For more insights into pregnancy and home insemination, check out this blog post. Additionally, if you’re looking to navigate your fertility journey, resources like those at MakeAMom can provide valuable guidance, while the CDC offers excellent information on infertility topics.
Summary:
Laughing gas is gaining traction as a viable option for pain relief during childbirth, offering a euphoric distraction to help mothers cope with contractions. With its rising popularity and endorsement from healthcare professionals, it’s becoming a favored alternative to traditional epidurals.