Entonox is often called “gas and air”. It’s a gas made up of 50% oxygen and 50% nitrous oxide, it is colorless and odorless.
You can have “gas and air” whenever you want in labor. Simply put the mouthpiece between your lips or teeth and breathe deeply and evenly. Continue to breathe deeply until you start to feel a little light-headed. Your hand will then drop away from your face and you will stop breathing in the Entonox. Within a few seconds, you will feel perfectly normal again.
Pro’s
- Easy to use
- Under your control
- Doesn’t stay in your body
- Takes the sharp edge off contractions
- Contains oxygen that is good for your baby
- Can be used for a home birth
Con’s
- Only a mild pain killer
- May make you feel sick
- Dries your mouth out
Tips
- Start breathing the Entonox the second you feel a contraction beginning. It takes over 20 seconds for the gas to give you some pain relief, and 45-50 seconds before it’s most effective. If you wait until the contraction really hurts, and then start breathing the Entonox, it will be taking effect in between contractions.
- If you take “gas and air” through a rubber facemask, and the rubber makes you feel sick, ask for a mouthpiece. It’s easy to change the mask for a mouthpiece.
- Have sips of water in between contractions to keep your mouth moist.
- When you’re pushing your baby out in the second stage of labor, women usually find it easier to concentrate without using the “gas and air”.
- Don’t feel bad if Entonox isn’t enough to help you cope with contractions. Using “gas and air” doesn’t prevent you from having any other drugs for pain relief.
