Did you know that you have options for comfort and pain management that strike a balance between “all-natural” and an epidural? If you haven’t heard of nitrous oxide, ask your midwife, doctor, or care provider about it. Women say that it takes the edge off the pain of contractions and makes labor a lot more manageable.

The possible risks of using nitrous while giving birth:

• dizziness
• nausea and vomiting
• possible sedation

The many benefits of nitrous oxide during labor:

• Nitrous is safe for the mother as well as the baby.
• It does not interfere with the body’s ability to produce oxytocin.
• Nitrous does not affect a baby’s alertness during the early bonding period after birth.
• Using nitrous during labor does not affect breastfeeding.
• It does not increase the need for neonatal resuscitation.
• You get to control when you use it and how much you use. Its effects disappear within five minutes of discontinuing its use.

Another great thing about using nitrous is that you can still have freedom of movement during labor. You are not continuously hooked up to any machines so you can labor in any position that is comfortable to you, including in the water or tub.

If you are interested in the benefits and risks of using nitrous oxide during your labor, talk to your care provider! It may not be effective for every woman, but it is a very safe and low-cost way to help manage pain during labor as well as for any stitching, fundal massages or other discomforts after birth.

Beginnings Birth Center in Colorado Springs is where this mama was able to use nitrous for her labor and she found that it really helped! Click here for other birth care professionals in Colorado Springs that I’ve worked with and personally recommend, as well as a list of questions to ask when interviewing midwives!