Why do so many European countries not allow G&A as pain relief during childbirth?

[shonaspurtle]

I've read a lot of mnetter's posts saying in their country gas and air isn't used during childbirth. Off the top of my head: Belgium, France, Germany, Spain...

Do they know something we don't know? Are we just experiencing a placebo effect? Are there risks?

Am curious. Does anyone know why this very mainstream form of pain relief (in the UK) seems beyond the pale elsewhere?

It could be because it's shite and does bugger all.

They are more geared to keeping the mum off the bed in childbirth in these countries. IIRC, you can give a lower dose of epidural to help with the pain but still enable the mum to be to walk around during labour, they don't do this here. I watched a programme years ago so it could have changed since then.

See, it did loads for me (although I know a lot of people don't like it or find it doesn't work). Maybe blowing into a paper bag would have been just as good though, who knows? Maybe it was just a distraction.

Not sure about the geared to keeping mother off the bed though. I've read a lot of stirrup stories - generalisation, not suggesting it's the same in all these countries.

I heard a lovely rumour that they pack new mums off to a 'retreat' in France so they can be pampered and loose the baby weight. I've no idea if it's true though, sounds fab!

This was on Woman's Hour a week or so ago, FluffyBunny. Apparently in France it's standard for every woman to get pelvic floor exercise instruction after the birth, and abdominal exercises to get your tummy back in shape! The emphasis is on looking good for your husband.

Also they don't encourage breastfeeding like we do - one midwife told a new mother "Don't do that, it will ruin your breasts". A bit different from life here!

What's Woman's Hour?

I think every woman should get pelvic floor exercise instruction here, it'll save us spending money on bloody tenna lady etc! We're never out of nappies if you think about it, nappies until toilet training, then sanitary towels, then tenna lady. We're stuffed really!

A Radio 4 program....

Ahh, radio. Hmmm...... I know what that is.......

G&A was the only pain relief I used at the very end of my 17 hour labour (more like 24 hour but do they record it properly on your notes? no), when the consultant was no longer happy letting me labour without assistance and administered a low dose of syntocinon. It hurt. Mind you, then we went to EMCS and I got some of the proper spinal stuff

The G&A was useless, just made me feel drunk and very very sick. Next time I will NOT be using it. I also hope to tell them where to shove their syntocinon.

I read somewhere that Holland banned it because of the small risk to pregnant midwives. There is some evidence to show that working with G&A while you are in the early stages of pregnancy may cause birth defects. I can't remember where I read it but I'll try to find a link.

I suspect this is more of a problem in Holland because of the high level of home births - UK midwives would be statistically less likely to be doing homebirths, and in hospitals there is a "scavenger" system designed to hoover up the trace remains of G&A you exhale.

if you go to the Wiki entry for Entonox, the last link in the "external links" section takes you to an abstract for a paper on this risk.

You have to scroll down to abstract 1.24 "CONGENITAL MALFORMATIONS IN CHILDREN OF OBSTETRIC NURSES USING NITROUS OXIDE"

Yes, I found an article about ventilation measures in delivery suites to reduce staff exposure (although midwives use in during homebirths in the UK too - but you're right, there are a lot less than in Holland).

Thanks. That looks like a valid reason for some countries to just decide not to use it if they feel that epidurals are more effective presumably.

I understood (but only anecdotal from a friend who worked on a labour ward in Paris) that it is more common for women to receive an epidural in France.

I went through 6 canisters of gas and air during my 20 hour labour at home.

The hospital porter had to come out to my house twice in taxi to bring more after it ran out as they're only allowed to dispatch 2 at a time - madness!

It helped a wee but with the pain but was probably mostly something to distract me.

i wonder if contries that do not use G and A have a higher percentage of epidurals?
i don't know but may go and have a looksy if i can muster the energy.

G&A did absolutely NOTHING for me with DS2's labour and birth (apart from make me feel hideously sick.

DS3's labour - wow I didn't want to give it back afterwards as it was bloody awesome

The reason French women get all that pampering (and are advised not to bf)is to make their husbands fancy them enough to have sex again quickly so they can have another baby. Tis true!

I know that in Belgium an epidural is the ONLY form of pain relief available. And that new mothers traditionally stay in 4 or 5 days to "rest" and usually there are private rooms available as a matter course. If you have to share 4 is the max.

The G&A really helped me with DD1. I kept thinking it didn't work but everytime I stopped it (usually to get in the bath. Had a long labour and loads of baths!) then I really missed it and screamed for it to be brought into the bathroom for me! This was all still while I was on the ward - have no memory of it once I finally went to the delivery room but I don't remember much of it TBH

the G&A is the one part of the birth that I am really looking forward to this time. I am sure it made my contractions more bearable with ds. Didnt want an epidural if at all possible and was very pleased I didnt need one, so would hate to not have the option.

I don't think the g and a did much for my pain but gave me something to do while I was having a contraction!I had an induced labour both times so needed something to distract me

as i can't haver an epidural I used it to put off the diamiorphine for longer

I'll just chip in about the French side.... Epidural is also the ONLY pain relief on offer, I believe they use G&A in other parts of a hospital but not in the labour ward?!
Generally women stay in hospital for 5 days in single or double rooms.
Am not sure about the pampering bit though , I have never felt so disturbed in my life, people came into my single room to check on something (me and baby, change my bed, show me how to bath baby, take my temperature/pressure, clean the bathroom, etc) literally ever hour day or night - I was so relieved to get home (after 3 nights, which was a bit of an acheivemnt) to a proper rest!
Also, about the reeducation of pelvic floor/abs, again I am not sure about the pampering.... think cold normal physiotherapist room with plastic "thing" stuffed up your bits giving you electric "stimulation" (like those machines you can buy to train your ab muscles) covered for modesty sake in paper sheet.... also with 8 wk old baby playing/crying on floor. The alternative to electic reeducation is manually?! by a midwife (this is what I will have this time after no.2! wish me luck).

No G&A in Spain. I don´t actually know why but it certainly is not to keep the woman off the bed. You got to be joking! You are kept on the bed throughout, flat on your back strapped to a monitor - absolutely appalling. I begged and pleaded to be able to get off the bed with DS1 and there was no chance.

Its epidural all the way here and I remember asking my MW at ante-natal classes if I had to have one. She looked at me as if I had 2 heads and asked me why on earth wouldn´t I want one Seems its just to be expected and Spanish women in the main do not question these things - a great shame in my view

G&A didn't work with DD but was FANTASTIC with DS. Hardly felt the contractions. Made sure I asked for it early though so got the hang of it before the really painful bit started. Think I left it too late with DD and wasn't using it properly...