Nitrous Oxide during labor - DC area availability?

[Anonymous]

I love the new PBS (Masterpiece Theater) show Call the Midwife, and have been fascinated by the impact that "gas and air" (nitrous oxide) had on the home deliveries by midwives depicted on the show. As I get closer to labor myself, I envy the availability of nitrous oxide to "take the edge off" during an otherwise natural birth.

Researching this, what I've read is that nitrous oxide & oxygen combinations are largely not available in the US because they are not profit centers for hospitals. Hospitals make SO MUCH income from administration of epidurals, and if nitrous were available on demand just to take the edge off of the pain of contractions before pushing, many more laboring women may not opt for epidurals.

(For those not familiar with how nitrous is used in the UK and Canada, generally a birthing woman holds a mask and can take an inhale of nitrous any time she wants to take the edge of the pain of a contraction. She can keep inhaling it as long as needed, but as soon as she takes off the mask, the effect begins to dissipate. Within a few exhalations, she is back to full awareness & consciousness. It is not meant necessarily for pain relief...the best description I got from my cousins who have used it in the UK is "It still hurts almost as much, it's just that it doesn't bother you as much while it is hurting...you can be in pain but feel okay at the same time." Helps stave off any growing anxiety, too.

Looking back on DCUM archives, I read posts from a couple of years ago that suggested that nitrous is an option at Georgetown Hospital, but that it would have to be administered in the OR because those are the only rooms with proper venting for the exhaled gas. Has anyone else tried to request nitrous at an other area hospitals?

[Anonymous]

I hope for this every time I get pregnant and American hospitals just aren't set up for it.

[Anonymous]

I knew about it and wanted it too. As of a year and half ago, I was told it isn't available in this area. Sigh.

[Anonymous]

i am a doula. i wish they'd make it available in this area too. tell your provider it interests you --it would be good for providers to know that there is a demand for it.

[Anonymous]

I wish they had it too!!! The only US hospital I've seen it at is a very VERY rural one out west, where they have a single delivery room and no anesthesiologist on call. I agree, OP, it's a money-maker for hospitals. I mean anyone can stick a mask on you, but it takes a specialist to give an epidural. Also, I bet if they had the gas stocked at hospitals, it could be subject to abuse. It's also flammable so harder to store. But I wish they had it readily available in the US.

[Anonymous]

I agree with the PP who said tell your doc. And if you're really feeling motivated, write to the head of OB at your hospital. If the bean-counters realize there's a demand for a product, they'll find a way to provide that product.

[Anonymous]

I want this SO bad. But nope, not in the States.

[Anonymous]

NItrous like whippits? Not to be flippant but can't you just get cartridges and a whipped cream canister at Sur La Table like we used to in college?

[Anonymous]

They do at at Georgetown, but only in the OR, cause that's where they have the mask & proper ventilation for it. This is what they told me 6.5 yrs ago during delivery.

[Anonymous]

I couldn't get nitrous at the dentist to have work done bc I was pregnant, but you can use it during labor?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:NItrous like whippits? Not to be flippant but can't you just get cartridges and a whipped cream canister at Sur La Table like we used to in college?

Exactly the same AFAIK, but I really can't see any OB being comfortable with that. "No, no, we're cool! Look Sur la Table receipt., I swear, this isn't the tip of our huffing iceberg!"

[Anonymous]

I had it in the UK (with one of my 2 births) and an epidural here in the US (with the other). I like that it was available there, but I have to tell you that I still requested an epidural because of the pain. Saying that, in the UK an epidural wasn't available to me on request (only if you're lucky and the hospital is real quiet that day and the midwife gives in). I'd probably still ask for an epidural again.

[Anonymous]

http://www.washingtonian.com/blogs/wellbeing/news/washington-hospital-center-now-offers-laughing-gas-for-labor.php

[Anonymous]

Bump. Anyone know where currently offers it?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Bump. Anyone know where currently offers it?

Washington Hospital Center