Definition: This is gas that is used in Europe, Canada and returning soon to the United States to ease labor pain. This colorless, odorless gas is 50% oxygen and 50% nitrous oxide. You use the mask or mouth piece and breath in the gas. It can be self-administered and works very quickly to ease the pain.
This is not anesthesia, like an epidural. So it only reduces the pain of labor, not completely removes it. It is also something that can be used in hospital, birth center and home births.
Source:
Nitrous Oxide for Labor Analgesia. American College of Nurse Midwives. December 2009.
Also Known As: nitrous, Entonox, gas and air, laughing gas
Examples:
I used nitrous oxide to help ease the pain of contractions with my last labor.
