Because women deserve options when it comes to having a baby!  Not so long ago, I entered the labor and delivery room at Mt. Sinai Roosevelt (formerly St. Luke's Roosevelt hospital in Manhattan) with a friend who was in labor. Upon arriving, she learned that she was pretty far along and consequently her baby was born not to long after. She did not need any pain medication at the time however this quickly changed AFTER the delivery when she needed a few stitches for a tear.  The physician told her that she could get an epidural if she was unable to take the local anesthetic. Given the situation, she relented to using just the local anesthetic, which was ineffective, leading her to undergo the suturing in pain and agony instead of electing to receive an epidural which would have prolonged the situation at hand, given she just had a baby, but also carry additional risks.  I have come to learn that her story is not unlike many others who enter maternity wards in hospitals around the country.  Options for pain management during and especially after labor can be very limited.  In many places, an epidural is the only option.  While the epidural is one of the most miraculous innovations in medical history and has made labor significantly easier for many women, including myself, it is not for everyone. Some may arrive at the hospital fully ready to deliver, in this case it would make it difficult if not impossible to receive an epidural.

Nitrous oxide, also known as laughing gas, is another option for pain relief and has been used in Europe and Canada.  It is slowly gaining traction in the United States and is currently used at some hospitals such as the University of California San Francisco Medical Center, Vanderbilt University Medical Center and Brigham and Women's Hospital.  In New York City, it is currently only offered at the Brooklyn Birthing Center.  Nitrous oxide is cheaper compared to other methods and can be administered quickly.  It can be used for pain management both during labor but also after if additional suturing is needed or if there is retained placenta. 

I write this petition not only for my friend but for the thousands of people who give birth in my community at Roosevelt.  I demand that there be multiple options for pain management during and after labor and delivery.  Bring nitrous oxide into rooms now!  Childbirth is not one size fits all and neither is pain management.  

Resources:

Mt. Sinai Roosevelt - Call and demand this option!

212-523-8234 

http://www.roosevelthospitalnyc.org/index.aspx

Note: picture above doesn't represent any individuals mentioned