Nitric Oxide: A Painkiller At Birth
What is striking is that its results have proven to be positive. We will review more about this strange technique below.
Countries such as Canada, England, Finland, Sweden and Australia have generally used this gas to anesthetize women during childbirth.
This component has a slightly sweetish aroma, and a low toxicity. Furthermore, for these occasions, it is mixed with 50% oxygen. This mixture is called; entonox.
What is the effect of nitric oxide?
When used as an analgesic, nitric oxide neutralizes the cerebral transmission of pain.
Its first use, in the medical industry, was related to tooth extraction. Of course, that pain does not have much to do with the pain of a birth.
In principle, women experience some dizziness and relaxation. While one can still feel pain, the gas contributes to a feeling of relief and pain control.
Generally, it is used only as a painkiller. Compared to epidural anesthesia, its effectiveness is somewhat lower, according to the reduction of pain.
Benefits of using nitric oxide as a painkiller for childbirth
Although, in some countries, such as the United States, there are some issues regarding its use, or even prohibition in some places, nitric oxide has the following advantages:
- It has a quick effect. Because it does not dissolve in the blood or other tissues, it contributes to immediate anesthesia. Moreover, its effect disappears quickly after removing the supply.
- It is removed effectively. This is done mainly through the lungs, although minimal diffusion also occurs through the skin. It takes about 2 minutes of excreting it again.
- It does not affect the fetus or mother. It has also been proven that it does not have negative effects on milk production, nor does it suppress contractions in the uterus.
- It is easy to add. Nurses take a mask on the mother, and, in a matter of seconds, it enters the lung system. Furthermore, it is the woman herself who administers the doses.
- The feeling of a natural birth. Those who have used it emphasize that nitric oxide allows for a more natural birth than with an epidural. Even if one feels more pain, it is no loss of feeling or control from the waist down.
- It is cheaper than an epidural.
How is it used?
The strange thing about this method is that the mother doses the inhalation herself. How does it work?
As soon as the mask is placed, and according to the stage of birth, the woman performs more or less deep inhalations, while also feeling the instructions of the nurse or midwife.
Before each contraction, she inhales deeply and slowly. It takes about 30 seconds to have an effect, and it typically coincides with the time when the greatest pain is felt. As soon as the effect is over, the contraction will be over.
This is the basis of its use: to align the maximum pain-relieving effect with the maximum pain at contraction. Within a few attempts, the mother will usually achieve it.
Disadvantages of nitric oxide
The first drawback has to do with the intensity of the pain. As it is analgesic, and not anesthetic, it reduces the pain but does not suppress it.
Therefore, if it becomes unbearable, the woman must resort to more powerful methods.
On the other hand, it often generates nausea. Sometimes, it can be very annoying. It occurs between 25-30% of the time it is used for births.
Finally, although to a much lesser extent, other side effects may also occur:
- Dry mouth
- Drowsiness
- The ring for the ears
- Changes in memory
- Tickling sensation
- Feeling of euphoria
Logically, there are also cases where it is contraindicated. This is when the mother suffers from lung problems, or too high blood pressure in the skull. However, this does not happen very often.
In conclusion, it can be said, it is a safe method for women who prefer its use. After all, it is a choice that must be made by each individual. Not everyone experiences the pain in the same way.
