Has anyone used nitrous oxide over epidural?

Question

I was going through my hospital packet, and I'm supposed to choose between natural, nitrous oxide or an epidural. I was just wondering if anyone has opted for nitrous oxide over an epidural?

Answer

There’s also another option it’s a medicine they enter through your iv and it helps dull the contractions but doesn’t completely numb you. I tried this after gas before epidural, unfortunately for me I was one of the lucky people who it only lasted 15 mins for when it’s typically supposed to last 2 hours (my nurse said she had the same issue when she took it during her labor) so at her advice I got the second dose right beofre my epidural was scheduled so I had pain relief during the time of my epidural insert so I could help stay still.

Answer

I tried the nitro with my first and didn't like how it made me feel loopy and still in pain. I had pitocin though, so maybe it is better taking the edge off natural contractions. I ended up with an epidural and had a positive experience. Your hospital might let you try gas first to see if it works for you!

Answer

I had the nitrous oxide with my first and it didn’t really help much with the pain but it made me completely loopy and incapacitated like really badly. I felt awful on it. The epidural doesn’t affect your mental state, and works much much better. I would definitely go for the epidural over the other.

Answer

Started off on the gas then at 8 hours in I had the epidural.

Answer

If those are your only options try to go natural, gas can make you sick (it made me nearly faint after just 3 puffs, and I vomited straight after) and an epidural can lead to lifelong back pain and paralysis (as well as complications in delivery). If you find natural is too much you can ask for gas, see how you react to that and then ask for an epidural. Everyone reacts differently so it's worth starting natural and slowly amping up if you feel the need. I personally hate all the pain management options because of how crappy they all make me feel, so I'll be going natural this time (waterbirth hopefully).

Answer

I don’t know about your hospital, but I asked my dr about nitros at my appt yesterday, and she said they aren’t offering it right now because of the pandemic. She said something about inadequate sanitation? Just before you get your hopes up (which MINE were!)

Answer

I tried it but it didn’t help and made me feel drowsy so I eventually got the epidural

Answer

I didn’t even know nitro was an option! I had the epidural to help me progress with dilation. It was nice. It wore off by 8 cm and I delivered with all feeling. It was awesome. It’s okay to get an epidural and not push the button if you want to try it without after 💗

Answer

I had both, gas and epidural with my first baby. I really didn’t like the way the gas made me feel. I’m going to try and go natural this time, 4th baby my last 2 were med free aswell. But I’d chose an epidural over gas. Everyone’s different tho 🤷‍♀️ kinda shitty you have to decide beforehand tho.

Answer

Some people get sick of the nitros. Some don’t. Some people get sick off the epidural, the epi is more of a numbing agent? The nitros is more of a laughing gas.

Has anyone used nitrous oxide over epidural?

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