Program
Nurse-Midwifery M.S.
Year Approved
2017
First Advisor
Wrede, Jane
Abstract
Background: Options for pharmacological pain management in labor are limited. The use of nitrous oxide during labor and gynecological procedures is supported by the American College of Nurse-Midwives (2016); they group suggested that different forms of coping with labor and pain should be made available for women. Purpose: The purpose of this critical review of the literature is to examine the factors contributing to availability, efficacy, safety, and patient outcomes of nitrous oxide when used during labor and gynecological procedures. Results: Twenty-four articles were selected for review and were appraised using the John Hopkins Research Evidence Appraisal Tool (Dearholt & Dang, 2012). The major findings of the reviewed literature on the use of nitrous oxide during labor and gynecological procedures reveal that nitrous oxide is a safe and effective form of pain control with minimal side effects. It is cost effective, easy to implement, and has a high rate of patient and provider satisfaction. Conclusions: Nitrous oxide should be offered as a form of pain management for women during labor and for gynecological procedures. Implications for Research and Practice: Although there is room for further research on the use of nitrous oxide during labor and for procedures, there is enough current research to support offering it as an effective analgesic during labor and for gynecological procedures. Keywords: nitrous oxide, analgesia in labor, Entonox, inhaled analgesic, labor pain management
Degree Name
M.S. Nurse-Midwifery
Document Type
Masterʼs thesis
Creative Commons License
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-No Derivative Works 4.0 International License.
Recommended Citation
Shuneson, A. (2017). Nitrous Oxide: Revival of an antiquated pain modality helps to empower women [Masterʼs thesis, Bethel University]. Spark Repository. https://spark.bethel.edu/etd/580