Saint Anthony Hospital Maternity Center Now Offers Alternative Pain Method for Laboring Moms

Lawndale News Chicago's Bilingual Newspaper - Health

Lawndale News Chicago's Bilingual Newspaper - Health

Nitrous oxide, or laughing gas, as it is more commonly known, is now available as a new pain management option for women at the Saint Anthony Hospital Maternity Center. Unlike other forms of pain management today, nitrous oxide is not a narcotic. Many women are worried about the effects of taking strong pain medication and want the least amount of side effects as possible. Now, at Saint Anthony, women in labor have this new, alternative pain option. A combination of nitrous oxide and oxygen is administered to the patient through a mask. Within seconds, the process quickly takes effect, and the patient feels more relaxed and has a decreased perception of labor pain. For women who are in early labor or who are too far along for an epidural, nitrous oxide can be a good substitute. Patients should consult with their health care provider about the right treatment options. Prior to being used in the U.S., nitrous oxide has been used as a major method of labor analgesia in countries with high standards for safe and effective care such as Australia, Canada, Finland, Sweden and the United Kingdom. Additional research put out by Vanderbilt University and the University of California at San Francisco has its use gaining popularity in the U.S. Currently, only a few other Chicago hospitals have this program in place for women wanting a more natural-like childbirth.

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