What is Gas and Air?
Gas and Air is also known as Entonox. It has no colour and no odour. It is typically made up of 50% oxygen and 50% nitrous oxide, otherwise known as laughing gas. Entonox does not block the discomfort but it tends to take the edge off.
Entonox is available in almost all birth settings, homebirth, birth centres, Midwife-led units, Labour ward. It is even available during an ambulance transfer!
Many labouring women (around 80%!) use Entonox in labour and find it very helpful.
When best to start using Entonox?
We are all different and therefore, will need different comfort measures at different times in labour. Your Midwife is likely to discourage use in very early labour. This is because the use of Entonox is not recommended for long periods of time. Sometimes early labour can last quite a long time.
Once you are in established labour and feel you need comfort measures you may like to try using Entonox. You may like to know that you can use Entonox in water!
Do I inhale it?
Entonox is self-administered and very easy to use. You will have full control over how often you inhale it and how much you inhale.
This picture shows a typical mouth piece used by women to self-administer the Entonox. You inhale through the mouth piece and you can exhale down the mouth piece.
As your tightening starts you will be encouraged to start inhaling the Entonox using slow controlled breaths. Once you reach the peak of your tightening this is when to stop inhaling the gas and air and just breathe air normally. With each contraction you repeat this method.
Within a few seconds of not inhaling the Entonox you will start to feel ‘normal’ again. Which is great to know if you do not get on with the feeling.
Using Gas and Air incorrectly can make you feel dizzy and sick.
Towards the end of labour, as the baby is imminently birthing many women find using Entonox unhelpful and will chose to stop inhaling it so they can focus better.
What are the side effects
As mentioned some women can feel very drowsy and sick. This is often associated with rapid inhalation.
There are no known adverse effects to the baby
I hope you have enjoyed reading this very short, concise blog discussing Entonox.
If you would like to know more about your pain relief options join one of the Talking Babies Antenatal or Hypnobirthing courses today! Click here.
Please explore the Talking Babies Blog to read more!