New pain management option available to laboring moms at Baptist Health Paducah

PADUCAH, KY (August 23, 2024) - Baptist Health Paducah is excited to give laboring women a safe alternative to pain relief with the Pro-Nox™ nitrous oxide system. The addition of Pro-Nox™ now offers expectant mothers a less invasive and safe option for managing labor pain.

The Pro-Nox™ system uses a combination of inhaled nitrous oxide and oxygen to provide fast-acting pain relief, all controlled by the patient, who can choose the desired level of comfort. Nitrous oxide, commonly known as “laughing gas”, has been used for decades as pain relief method during labor. While this option is not a replacement for anesthesia, it is a complement to traditional pain relief options.

For second-time mom Kristin Miles, she desired a natural childbirth like she experienced with her first child and knew prior to labor, an epidural or IV pain medicine was not an option. “The nurses were telling me my options and mentioned the Pro-Nox™ and how it was fast acting, but also how it wears off quickly,” Miles said. “It made the pain decrease significantly but it also helped me to relax during contractions.”

Baptist Health Paducah’s Mother-Baby Care director, Lisa Parnell, is excited this option is now available to women in the region. “This new option for our moms will enhance their birthing experience because of the versatility and flexibility Pro-Nox™ provide,” Parnell said. “Nitrous is a valuable pain management and anxiety relieving asset for women in labor. For quite some time, our providers, nurses and especially our community of expecting women, have been asking for an alternative pain method that is safe and does not affect bodily functions during delivery.”

For Miles, she says she had total control of the frequency in which she used the mask, even during the final “pushing” stage of labor. “I think someone who doesn’t want an epidural or IV pain meds who wants to walk around after birth, could greatly benefit from Pro-Nox™.”

Another advantage of nitrous oxide is that it is safe, and the effects of the nitrous oxide wear off within 10 minutes. “It can be used through all stages of labor, including immediately following the birth if needed,” Parnell said. “Women feel no effects post-delivery and are actively participating in their post partum experience. The nitrous does not affect other bodily functions, therefore the mom is able to push, breastfeed and continue to be actively involved with her family post-delivery.”

Funded by generous donors through the Baptist Health Paducah Foundation, the introduction nitrous oxide in the labor and delivery unit highlights Baptist Health Paducah’s commitment to listen and react to the needs and preferences of expectant mothers in the region.

The John & Vivian Williams Mother-Baby unit at Baptist Health Paducah offers expectant moms comfortable, remodeled Labor and Delivery and postpartum rooms, lactation support, and the region’s only Level 3 NICU with an on-site neonatologist, certified registered nurses and neonatal therapists.

For more information about Pro-Nox™ and other information about the John & Vivian Williams Mother-Baby unit, please visit BaptistHealth.com/Paducah.