For future Sardinian mothers it will be possible to give birth by considerably reducing the pain through nitrous oxide , a harmless gas that induces mental and muscular relaxation .

Ares Sardegna , through the Technology Assessment Service , is starting the acquisition of birth control systems with nitrous oxide for the Gynecology and Obstetrics facilities of the Sardinian hospitals .

The initiative, says Ares Sardegna, “was born with a view to improving the quality of care for pregnant women with the aim of guaranteeing access to palliative care and reducing pain during childbirth . With the law n. 38 of March 15, 2010 and with the inclusion of analgesia among the LEA, the woman's right to choose to give birth without pain was enshrined . Nitrous oxide therefore represents a valid alternative for all future mothers who may require this system to relieve pain during labor ".
"It is a non-invasive technique that does not interfere with the naturalness of the birth event and has the advantage that the woman can ask to use this service directly in the delivery room, after having signed an informed consent - says Maurizio Marcias, Director of the HTA Service. -. Furthermore, this system has the potential to counteract the flow of women who often migrate to other centers where it is possible to practice painless childbirth at the expense of small hospitals, whereas the lack of professional figures is more frequent, such as that of the anesthetist. ".

Nitrous oxide is a gas that, once inhaled, reduces anxiety and relieves pain , promoting the production of endorphins , or the feel-good hormones that have an analgesic effect. The parturient inhales the gas when she deems it appropriate, a few seconds before the contraction , using a mask connected to the canister that contains nitrous oxide, helped only by the midwife, since the presence of the anesthetist is not required. " - continues Marcias - is harmless, it can greatly reduce the sensation of pain, through the induction of psychic and muscular relaxation it allows women to stay awake during the various stages of childbirth, thus experiencing this special moment in a general well-being and pain relief by breathing nitrous oxide with the aid of a mask ".