Should Nitrous Oxide Be Used for Laboring Patients?

Publication date: March 2017
Source:Anesthesiology Clinics, Volume 35, Issue 1
Author(s): Michael G. Richardson, Brandon M. Lopez, Curtis L. Baysinger

Teaser

Nitrous oxide, long used during labor in Europe, is gaining popularity in the United States. It offers many beneficial attributes, with few drawbacks. Cost, safety, and side effect profiles are favorable. Analgesic effectiveness is highly variable, yet maternal satisfaction is often high among the women who choose to use it. Despite being less effective in treating labor pain than neuraxial analgesic modalities, nitrous oxide serves the needs and preferences of a subset of laboring parturients. Nitrous oxide should, therefore, be considered for inclusion in the repertoire of modalities used to alleviate pain and facilitate effective coping during labor.


http://ift.tt/2k8TVU4