pickles
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Post by pickles on Mar 10, 2018 0:22:56 GMT -6
My dr offers laughing gas! Since this is going to be my 3rd birth, I figure the kid will probably plop out relatively quickly, and am thinking this could be an awesome alternative to the epidural (which is a godsend, and will definitely be an option if the gas doesn’t cut it). I had a cavity filled once with it and just remember laughing through the whole procedure. Could be an awesome birthing experience.
Has anyone else used laughing gas during labor and delivery? It’s pretty new to our area and I don’t have any friends that used it for this exact purpose.
If you haven’t used it, would you try if it’s offered?
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Post by pbandjelly on Mar 10, 2018 7:38:28 GMT -6
My dr didn't offer it almost 2 years ago with DS, but does now. I remember reading about it last time though and am definitely intrigued. I don't know if I'll choose it, but I definitely would love to know my dr's thoughts on it. Last time I had laughing gas, I definitely thought I was seeing hypnotoad from Futurama the whole time, so I don't know if I want to experience that again, lol. But I'll will ask about it. I'm curious what others say about it.
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Post by goldenbird on Mar 10, 2018 8:12:54 GMT -6
I had heard that it's making a comeback. I just have seen it used in labor on Call the Midwife, so that was in the late 50s, early 60s time period lol.
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notmoose
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Post by notmoose on Mar 10, 2018 8:25:25 GMT -6
I've used it a lot during dental stuff. My hospital didn't offer it when I had DS and doubt they will this time. I'd be willing to try it if they did.
When I've used it I just feel kind of cloudy, but can still think (although it takes a bit more concentration).
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Post by PennyCandy on Mar 10, 2018 8:45:32 GMT -6
My hospital offers it, but I don't think I'll use it. I guess we'll see.
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pickles
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Post by pickles on Mar 10, 2018 11:17:07 GMT -6
My dr didn't offer it almost 2 years ago with DS, but does now. I remember reading about it last time though and am definitely intrigued. I don't know if I'll choose it, but I definitely would love to know my dr's thoughts on it. Last time I had laughing gas, I definitely thought I was seeing hypnotoad from Futurama the whole time, so I don't know if I want to experience that again, lol. But I'll will ask about it. I'm curious what others say about it. From what I read, the percentage of nitrous oxides is up to 70% in a dentist office vs 50% during labor, so hopefully I won’t be seeing Zoidberg in the room! I like that I can control how much I take in, so if I start to feel loopy, I just won’t put the mask to my face. My doctor practically leapt from the room to grab the consent form for me to fill out when i asked him about it. He was very enthusiastic about the option.
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Post by pbandjelly on Mar 10, 2018 11:45:00 GMT -6
I imagine there's less risk involved with laughing gas than an epidural. I'm glad this conversation came up because I wasn't really going to give much thought to it, but I may now after hearing other opinions.
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Post by cornflakegirl on Mar 10, 2018 12:21:21 GMT -6
I imagine there's less risk involved with laughing gas than an epidural. I'm glad this conversation came up because I wasn't really going to give much thought to it, but I may now after hearing other opinions. Same! I haven't even considered this as an option but now will look into it. I didn't want an epidural with DS but my labor was so long and I ended up getting it. It would be nice if this was an option.
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ohreally
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Post by ohreally on Mar 10, 2018 13:31:23 GMT -6
No experience but they offered it at the hospital where I delivered. I did get Fentanyl with my second. As the doctor described it, it doesn’t take away the pain, it just makes it so you don’t care. I imagine laughing gas is similar. My third kid came so fast there wasn’t time for anything!
I’d give laughing gas a shot before taking Fentanyl again.
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Post by catspajamas2 on Mar 10, 2018 13:35:48 GMT -6
I have had 2 very positive epidurals but I would consider it. I really just want all the drugs.
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pickles
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Post by pickles on Mar 10, 2018 13:54:07 GMT -6
I have had 2 very positive epidurals but I would consider it. I really just want all the drugs. Same. Epidurals are fantastic but I hate having to relearn how to pee afterward and not having much control over my lower half. With my first birth, I had the worst backache with my epidural too.
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Post by PennyCandy on Mar 10, 2018 14:52:41 GMT -6
My epidural was perfect. No side effects and I didn't feel anything, but still pushed effectively. I was up within an hour or less walking around. No trouble peeing. I guess because I had such a good experience that colors my thoughts on trying something else.
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Post by cornflakegirl on Mar 10, 2018 15:01:21 GMT -6
My epidural didn't really work. It would take the edge off for a bit and then the pain would start up again. They kept giving me more but it was basically a fail. Once it was determined that DS wasn't going to fit through the birth canal, what they gave me for my c/s finally made me numb. If I could avoid all of that again I'd be happy.
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pickles
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Post by pickles on Mar 10, 2018 15:18:53 GMT -6
My epidural didn't really work. It would take the edge off for a bit and then the pain would start up again. They kept giving me more but it was basically a fail. Once it was determined that DS wasn't going to fit through the birth canal, what they gave me for my c/s finally made me numb. If I could avoid all of that again I'd be happy. The paperwork my dr gave me says I can use the gas in conjunction with an epidural, and it’s good for the process of getting the epidural needle in too. I’m planning on keeping the epidural on the table just in case the gas isn’t cutting it, but keeping the gas nearby Incase the epidural needs some help!
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Post by goldenbird on Mar 10, 2018 16:01:22 GMT -6
My only worry with an epidural is about the spinal headache afterwards. I got one after a lumbar puncture last summer and it was horrid. A blood patch fixed me up, so if I do develop a spinal headache before leaving the hospital, I'll know to get a patch done. Of course if I have to have a C section I'll have to have a spinal block.
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Post by pbandjelly on Mar 10, 2018 16:50:02 GMT -6
I have had 2 very positive epidurals but I would consider it. I really just want all the drugs. I told H I swore I was floating in a pool the whole time I had my epidural. I, too, will take all the drugs. But I like the fact that I would have more control over the out of body feeling.
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Post by catspajamas2 on Mar 10, 2018 18:02:52 GMT -6
My epidural was perfect. No side effects and I didn't feel anything, but still pushed effectively. I was up within an hour or less walking around. No trouble peeing. I guess because I had such a good experience that colors my thoughts on trying something else. This is very similar to my experience. My first epidural was a little “heavy” so I couldn’t feel anything, including when to push (but I just pushed based on the monitor so it was fine). The second one I could feel the pushing a little more than I wanted to. Overall though I wouldn’t have changed anything except wishing I could get it sooner. Both times I gave birth within 45 mins of getting the epidural. It seems to relax my body enough to dialate pretty rapidly.
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Post by Deleted on Mar 11, 2018 12:09:48 GMT -6
I can’t have an epi or spinal block so I’d probably try it.
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Post by cornflakegirl on Mar 11, 2018 12:16:25 GMT -6
I just looked at my hospitals website and they offer laughing gas. I don't think they had this 3 years ago since it wasn't mentioned to me as an option when my epidural wasn't working. I've been worried that I may not get pain relief again this time with an epidural, at least this gives me another option.
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Post by goldenbird on Mar 11, 2018 12:47:20 GMT -6
Y'all July people try it out and let me know 😉. But I don't even know if my hospital offers it.
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pickles
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Post by pickles on Mar 11, 2018 21:11:19 GMT -6
I just looked at my hospitals website and they offer laughing gas. I don't think they had this 3 years ago since it wasn't mentioned to me as an option when my epidural wasn't working. I've been worried that I may not get pain relief again this time with an epidural, at least this gives me another option. My doctor made it sound like you had to order the gas well in advanced, maybe it’s not something they typically have on hand?
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Post by sugarkissed on Mar 11, 2018 21:52:13 GMT -6
I tried it my first baby and didn’t find it helped a substantial amount. I guess I was just used to the potent stuff at the dentist.
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Post by mrsweasley on Mar 12, 2018 7:00:29 GMT -6
My sister used it when she had my niece in Oct (she was in England and it's more prevalent over there I think) and she highly recommended it
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pickles
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Post by pickles on Mar 12, 2018 13:17:47 GMT -6
My sister used it when she had my niece in Oct (she was in England and it's more prevalent over there I think) and she highly recommended it Would you mind asking her to share her experience? I have a couple burning questions! How intensely could she feel the contractions? Was there a point while using the gas she debated whether to opt for the epidural or was the pain manageable the entire time with the gas? Were there any side effects she experienced during or afterward? Is there anything she would have wanted to know or done prior to using the gas (like bring funny shows watch, or music that would enhance the experience)? She did act differently while using the gas or was it more a mental disconnect from the pain?
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pickles
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Post by pickles on Mar 12, 2018 13:19:44 GMT -6
I tried it my first baby and didn’t find it helped a substantial amount. I guess I was just used to the potent stuff at the dentist. Did you eventually opt for the epidural? I was reading a study that said the majority of women who use the gas eventually get one. How far into labor did it help?
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kam3100
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Post by kam3100 on Mar 12, 2018 17:58:18 GMT -6
So...my epidural was perfect. I’m not sure if I’d ask for laughing gas or not. Does it pass to the baby?
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Post by pbandjelly on Mar 12, 2018 18:04:50 GMT -6
So...my epidural was perfect. I’m not sure if I’d ask for laughing gas or not. Does it pass to the baby? Mine was too. I wanted to throw all my money at the anesthesiologist to show my appreciation. And I would give anything for him to be there for my 2nd kid. It does pass to the baby, but leaves the body with the baby's first few breaths.
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kam3100
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Post by kam3100 on Mar 12, 2018 18:15:07 GMT -6
This just gave me the weird vision of my baby born laughing. I’m in a weird mood.
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Post by sugarkissed on Mar 12, 2018 18:51:17 GMT -6
I tried it my first baby and didn’t find it helped a substantial amount. I guess I was just used to the potent stuff at the dentist. Did you eventually opt for the epidural? I was reading a study that said the majority of women who use the gas eventually get one. How far into labor did it help? Yeah, I did end up going for the epidural... and it was amazing. The timeline is all kind of a blur though, it was a long night. Haha.
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Post by pbandjelly on Mar 13, 2018 17:55:41 GMT -6
I asked my OB about laughing gas and he didn't seem too into using it. He said that most women who are looking for unmedicated births may use it, but many end up with the episode (like pp said). He said it was more of a "crunchy" mom thing, which made me laugh. I love how he tells it like it is. And I told him not to worry, I loved my epidural last time and plan to ask for it again.
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