How is Nitrous Oxide and oxygen administered?
Nitrous Oxide and oxygen can be given from either a fixed or portable apparatus. The fixed apparatus is attached to the wall and varying concentrations of Nitrous Oxide and oxygen can be given. The midwife adjusts the dosage to what is required. However as it cannot be moved, a woman in labour cannot use Nitrous Oxide in the shower, bath or at a homebirth. Nitrous Oxide and oxygen can also be given from a portable cylinder. The dosage is fixed (a 50:50 mixture of Nitrous Oxide and oxygen is in the cylinder – this known as Entonox). With Entonox it is not possible to alter the concentration of Nitrous Oxide that a woman receives. Nitrous Oxide is breathed in by the woman either using a face mask or mouth piece. To use it correctly the woman begins breathing on the mouth piece or face mask deeply at the beginning of a contraction until a rattling sound is heard. The Nitrous Oxide and oxygen mixture is then breathed in throughout the whole contraction and is stopped as soon as the contrac
