Friday, January 27, 2012
FACTOID FRIDAY I’m American, which sometimes leads me to the arrogant assumption that my knowledge of medicine is “best” or else it wouldn’t be the way it’s done in America. And once in a while I get a reminder that this is totally not true. Like yesterday, when I learned that in most other parts of the world nitrous oxide (aka laughing gas) is used in place of an epidural during labor.  It’s less expensive, does not require an anesthesiologist to be present, is controlled by the woman, does not cause numbness or loss of muscle control, and of course it’s safe for mother and baby. Currently there’s only five hospitals in the United States that offer this option, but there’s been a big push by midwives to have it available. 

FACTOID FRIDAY

I’m American, which sometimes leads me to the arrogant assumption that my knowledge of medicine is “best” or else it wouldn’t be the way it’s done in America. And once in a while I get a reminder that this is totally not true. Like yesterday, when I learned that in most other parts of the world nitrous oxide (aka laughing gas) is used in place of an epidural during labor. 

It’s less expensive, does not require an anesthesiologist to be present, is controlled by the woman, does not cause numbness or loss of muscle control, and of course it’s safe for mother and baby. Currently there’s only five hospitals in the United States that offer this option, but there’s been a big push by midwives to have it available. 

Posted at 10:03 AM 38 notes Tags: nursing labor and delivery pregnancy nitrous oxide laughing gas

Notes

  1. mac-monkey reblogged this from nursing4n00bs
  2. claustrophobik reblogged this from nursing4n00bs
  3. yesterdayschild reblogged this from dorasnursing and added:
    Laughing gas, y u no available in the US??
  4. birdsandthings reblogged this from nursing4n00bs
  5. giveyouanickelforthatpickle reblogged this from dorasnursing
  6. fauncyfraunces reblogged this from dorasnursing
  7. dorasnursing reblogged this from nocturnalnurse
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  9. imthatrosiegirl reblogged this from nursing4n00bs
  10. plantatree reblogged this from nursing4n00bs
  11. nursebounce reblogged this from nocturnalnurse and added:
    Wow, shocked that American hospitals don’t offer gas and air… It’s one of the best types of short term pain relief
  12. nursefocker reblogged this from nocturnalnurse and added:
    VERY INTERESTING….
  13. sgtpepp-r reblogged this from nocturnalnurse
  14. nocturnalnurse reblogged this from novicenurse
  15. blondebohemia reblogged this from cardiacattack
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