Fort Collins, Colo.-based Pourde Valley Hospital and Loveland, Colo.-based Medical Center of the Rockies are the first hospitals in Northern Colorado to offer nitrous oxide as an alternative to epidurals, the Coloradoan reports.
Here's what you should know.
1. Nitrous is being used during delivery and immediately after for pain management.
2. Women can use the mask whenever they are in pain and remove it until needed.
3. UCHealth said laughing gas is more versatile because of its adoptable use. It also does not affect the baby's health.
4. Nicky Barber, RN, a women's care charge nurse at UCHealth said to the Coloradoan, "We wanted to give our moms-to-be another safe, effective option to choose from. Ultimately, we want our moms to decide what's best for them and what they feel most comfortable with, and we're here to support that choice."