The impact of withholding nitrous oxide in labour during the COVID‐19 pandemic on maternal and neonatal outcomes

• Published in: Australian & New Zealand journal of obstetrics & gynaecology Vol. 62; no. 6; pp. 910 - 914
• Main Authors: Froessler, Bernd, Malek, Michaela, Jila, Mathonsi, Parange, Anupam, Kelly, Thu‐Lan
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Australia John Wiley and Sons Inc 01-12-2022
• Subjects: adverse birth outcomes; analgesia; Analgesia, Epidural; Analgesia, Obstetrical; Analgesics, Opioid - therapeutic use; Cesarean Section; COVID-19; epidural; Female; greenhouse gases; Humans; Infant, Newborn; Nitrous Oxide; Pandemics - prevention & control; Pregnancy; Short Communication; Short Communications; greenhouse gases; epidural; Covid-19; nitrous oxide; adverse birth outcomes; analgesia
• ISSN: 0004-8666; 1479-828X
• DOI: 10.1111/ajo.13577

Nitrous oxide is commonly used in Australia for labour analgesia. Its use in labour is potentially associated with aerosol generation. During the first wave of the COVID‐19 pandemic of 2020, nitrous oxide was suspended on many birthing units to reduce the risk of transmission. We aimed to determine the impact of withholding nitrous oxide for labour analgesia, during the COVID‐19 pandemic, on epidural rates, opioid analgesia use, and maternal and neonatal outcomes. Withholding nitrous oxide for labour analgesia did not alter epidural rates but did significantly increase opioid analgesia use. Caesarean section rates, post‐partum blood loss and neonatal APGAR scores did not change.