According to DR, the maternity ward at Aalborg University Hospital faced a wave of criticism following an announcement regarding the reduction of nitrous oxide (laughing gas) use, amid widespread public misunderstanding.
Widespread ridicule over suggested pain relief alternatives
The report stated that a wave of angry comments swept social media after the hospital announced it would reduce its use of nitrous oxide (laughing gas) and introduce music therapy as an additional pain relief option. Some users posted sarcastic comments, including: “That guitar could be thrown out the window in no time,” “I would have been furious if they had suggested playing music during labor,” and “It’s almost like sending a hospital clown with a flute into the room.”.
The report explained that many people mistakenly believed that music therapy would replace the gas used to relieve pain during childbirth.
Official clarification: Gas is still available for women
Line Hundebøl Nielsen, the chief midwife in the maternity ward at Aalborg Hospital, confirmed that the hospital has not stopped using nitrous oxide (laughing gas), but is still providing it to cases that benefit from it.
She said, according to DR: “If we receive a woman in labor and we see that nitrous oxide is a suitable option for her, we offer it to her. There is no need to worry.”.
She explained that the hospital had received many inquiries, noting that the introduction of music therapy had been misunderstood as a complete replacement.
She added: “We have noticed that many pregnant women are unsure of what they can receive when they go into labor. They can receive both nitrous oxide and music therapy.”.
What is nitrous oxide and what are its medical uses?
The report explained that nitrous oxide (laughing gas) is commonly used to relieve pain and has a calming effect. It is used in childbirth, dentistry, and ambulances, and can also be used in simple procedures such as removing stitches, according to information from the National Hospital Rigshospitalet.
This gas is also known in some contexts outside of medical use to be illegally misused for recreational purposes due to its mild and temporary anesthetic effect, as confirmed by various medical sources. However, its use in hospitals is under strict and safe medical supervision.
Reducing consumption for environmental reasons
The report indicated that reducing the use of nitrous oxide was also due to environmental reasons, as it is a greenhouse gas with a long-term impact on the climate, and the department also wants to reduce the effects of single-use plastics.
Line Hondboll Nielsen said: “We have told the midwives about the harmful effects of laughing gas on the climate. We want to use it, but responsibly.”.
She added that its previous easy availability may have led to its use in larger quantities, explaining: “It can be assumed that when it was readily available, it may have been used excessively.”.
Broader measures to reduce environmental impact
Line Hondbol Nielsen noted that hospitals have begun taking additional steps to reduce their environmental impact, such as reducing the use of single-use medical supplies.
She said: “We also try to make sure that we don’t use too many bandages, and that we don’t throw away single-use materials unnecessarily. We have to think carefully.”.
Protecting the environmental future for future generations
The report concluded by emphasizing that these measures aim to improve the environmental future for generations to come. Line Hondboll Nielsen explained that nitrous oxide remains in the atmosphere for more than 100 years.
She said: “We are doing this to provide a better future for the children who are born here in North Jutland. Nitrous oxide is extremely harmful because it is a greenhouse gas that remains in the atmosphere for more than 100 years.”.
At the same time, she stressed that gas would remain an option available to women during childbirth, with the need to use it more responsibly.
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