PainRelief.com Interview with:
Prof. Bernd Froessler MD, PhD, FANZCA
Department of Anaesthesia
Lyell McEwin Hospital
Clinical Professor
Discipline of Acute Care Medicine
University of Adelaide
PainRelief.com: What is the background for this study?
Response: Nitrous oxide (N2O) 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. This 19-day sudden disruption period at our hospital provided a ‘natural experiment’ and opportunity to re-evaluate the role and need for N2O, with the aim to determine the impact of withdrawing N2O on labour analgesia use and maternal and neonatal outcomes.