Acceptability of continuous nasal nitrous oxide during labour--a field trial in six maternity hospitals.
In six maternity hospital 516 mothers during labour received 50% nitrous oxide and 50% oxygen (Entonox) continuously at 5 litres/minute through a single-end nasal catheter and intermittently by a mouthpiece for a mean duration of 3 hours 30 minutes (513 mothers). A comparison was made with a control group of 575 mothers who had intermittent inhalation of Entonox only for a mean duration of 3 hours 6 minutes (574 mothers). The midwives had no difficulty learning to manage the administration of nasal Entonox. Eighty-six per cent of mothers agreed to use the nasal method and 70% continued for the duration of their labour. The midwives reported that pain relief was improved, and 51 (92%) would wish to continue offering the technique.
D000769:Anesthesia, Inhalation / Q000379:methods*; D000773:Anesthesia, Obstetrical / Q000379:methods*; D004334:Drug Administration Schedule; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007743:Labor, Obstetric; D008614:Meperidine / Q000008:administration & dosage; D009609:Nitrous Oxide / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D009666:Nose; D010100:Oxygen / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D010298:Parity; D010342:Patient Acceptance of Health Care; D011247:Pregnancy
D008614:Meperidine; D009609:Nitrous Oxide; D010100:Oxygen