the laughing gas – or nitrous oxide (N2O) – is popular with partygoers: this gas (which is found in particular in the cartridges of whipped cream siphons) modifies the voice, generates uncontrollable laughter and causes hallucinations, both visual than auditory. Everything to please, in theory. Except that it also has harmful side effects for health: consumed on a regular basis, it can cause or worsen heart problems, high blood pressure and neurological problems.
What is less known is that laughing gas is also very common in … maternity wards. Thus, in the United Kingdom, it is frequently used to facilitate childbirth : the patient benefits from “anesthesia” using a 50% oxygen + 50% laughing gas mixture, diffused through a mask before each contraction. Immediately or almost immediately, the pain felt during labor diminishes and a feeling of euphoria seizes the future mother.
A priori, this alternative to the traditional epidural (which is not always possible, let us remember) does not cause any side effects on the patient or on her baby. However, laughing gas is contraindicated in cases of coronary heart disease, vitamin B12 deficiency and when the patient suffers from a cardio-respiratory pathology … This does not reassure us. For the moment, this technique has only been exported to Belgium: the Flemish Organization of Midwives indeed wishes to develop it in the maternities. A case to follow closely …
