Norwegian Hospitals Giving Up Laughing Gas for Mothers - The Nordic Page

11.07.2011 - Oslo

Norwegian Hospitals Giving Up Laughing Gas for Mothers

Maternity ward at Ullevål and Rikshospitalet in Oslo will no longer offer nitrous oxide to mothers from the autumn due to the risk of spontaneous abortion among employees who are exposed to the gas.

Nitrous oxide is commonly known as laughing gas or sweet air. It is used in surgery and dentistry for its anesthetic and analgesic effects. It is known as "laughing gas" due to the euphoric effects of inhaling it.

Bente Rønnes from Oslo University explained to Norwegian daily Aftenposten they will give up using nitrous oxide. Rønnes said they have clear recommendation from the environment department to stop using the gas.

Previously, Haukeland University Hospital in Bergen, had given up using nitrous oxide in 2002, and several other hospitals had followed it.

The gas is potentially dangerous for people who inhale the gas for a long time. It is not registered any specific events with nitrous oxide in Norway, but the hospital restrains from it in case of any possible side effects.

- Studies have shown that nitrous oxide can cause spontaneous abortions among midwives and nurses. We can not risk our employees, says Rønne.