Aspirus Keweenaw Offering Nitrous Oxide For Pain Relief During Labor & Delivery

LAURIUM, Mich. – Having a baby is one of life’s most exciting times. Along with all of the excitement comes the reality of pain and discomfort during labor and delivery. To help give moms-to-be the most options for comfort to choose from, the birth place at Aspirus Keweenaw Hospital is now offering nitrous oxide as another alternative pain reliever.

“Whether it’s your first baby or your fifth, every labor and delivery experience is going to be different. And everyone’s pain tolerance is different,” says Christiann Rosemurgy, Certified Nurse Midwife with Aspirus Keweenaw Hospital. “With nitrous, knowing there is another wonderful and safe option for pain relief – one that can be used at any point during labor and delivery – puts Mom’s mind at ease and allows her to get back into rhythm and breathing through contractions.”

Nitrous oxide is safe and easy for expecting mothers to self-administer by inhaling through a hand-held mask. While nitrous doesn’t take away the pain completely, it does help take the edge off and can reduce anxiety. Some of the attractive benefits of nitrous include having individual control over pain relief, no residual side effects for mom or baby and having the ability to transition to other pain relief options, such as an epidural, if necessary.

Because nitrous is inhaled, the effects are almost instant. If mom decides it’s not for her, simply breathing in room air will take away the effects within seconds. Many will associate nitrous as a comfort remedy for patients in the dentist office. However, nitrous used for labor and delivery is a less concentrated dose of equal parts pure oxygen and nitrous.

Aspirus Keweenaw is the only hospital in the Upper Peninsula offering nitrous as an alternative comfort option. Along with nitrous, there are many other comfort options available at AspirusKeweenaw, from pharmacological methods, including epidurals, to more natural techniques, such as water birth and midwifery care. Talking to a care provider, the sooner the better, allows mom to find out all of her options and address any concerns long before labor and delivery.

“Childbirth is such a special experience and you have your own expectations for how you want it to go,” said Rosemurgy. “Our goal is to offer as many choices as possible to help ensure every mom has the happiest, healthiest birthing experience in the way she chooses and deserves.”

The Birth Place at Aspirus Keweenaw Hospital in Laurium combines the best of the best in comfort, support, staff and services to deliver you a comprehensive bundle of care close to home. Excellent family medicine providers, OB/GYN specialists and nurses are with you every step of the way. Providers and specialists are supported by the most advanced technologies, and are directly linked to world-class NICU care at Aspirus Wausau Hospital.

To learn more about nitrous oxide, listen to Christiann Rosemurgy, CNM, in the latest Aspirus Health Talk Podcast here: http://www.aspirus.org/Main/Aspirus-Health-Talk-Podcasts.aspx?item=35128

For more information, visit aspirus.org.