St. Vincent Services Women's Health Having A Baby Nitrous Oxide for Labor
St. Vincent Nitrous Oxide for Labor

Nitrous Oxide for Pain Relief During Labor

HSHS St. Vincent and St. Mary’s Hospitals are the only two hospitals in Green Bay to offer nitrous oxide.

Nitrous oxide is a method of labor pain and anxiety management for mom during childbirth. It is often used at the dentist and referred to as laughing gas. By inhaling the gas through a mask, nitrous oxide is a safe and proven method for anxiety and pain management during labor.
 
There are no side effects from nitrous oxide for baby, and the side effects for mom are minimal. It is a temporary method of relief because it is cleared from the body when mom stops inhaling the gas and removes the mask.

Nitrous oxide can be

 

  • used before having an epidural (and it is also safe to have an epidural later on).

  • an alternative option to epidural and pain medication if someone is leaning toward a more natural childbirth experience.

  • ​used before trying pain medication (Nubain).

  • ​stopped if mom decides she would like to switch to pain medication (Nubain).