Lachgas im Kreißsaal: Erfahrungen aus einem großen Nordamerikanischen Zentrum Laughing gas in labour & delivery: experience from a big North American center

Introduction Nitrous oxide (NO), an inhaled anesthetic gas commonly known as laughing gas, is an inexpensive and effective form of pain relief in labour. Benefits include its rapid onset of action and quick elimination through the maternal respiratory system, lack of effect on uterine contractility and possible use in all stages of labour. However, there are many misconceptions regarding its use, e.g. that it can prolong labour and is unsafe for patients. Therefore, NO is infrequently offered or used for labour analgesia.

The goal of our study was to audit the current use of NO in the Labour & Delivery Unit (L&D) at Mount Sinai Hospital in Toronto, Canada (MSH).

Methods We conducted a retrospective audit for parturients admitted to L&D at MSH for induction of or in active labour between 01.07.2019 and 31.12.2019 and determined incidence of analgesics used, in general and depending on mode of delivery.

We also created and distributed a survey in April 2022, in order to investigate the perceptions of labour care providers.

Results The results from the audit showed that from 696 patients admitted to MSH, 2% used NO, 84% neuraxial, 6% different and 8% no analgesia.

144 labour care providers answered the survey. 11.3 % strongly agreed, 54.8 % agreed, 18.6 % neither agreed nor disagreed and 15.3 % disagreed that NO is an effective form of analgesia in labour.

Conclusion Neuraxial analgesia is used more commonly than NO in labour, which necessitates increased education regarding the appropriate use of NO in L&D.

Publication History

Article published online:
11 October 2022