There are some things in life I wish to never experience again.

One of these things is childbirth because after having two children, who are both happy and healthy, I cannot imagine going through as much pain as I did when having them.

It is hard to describe to anyone who has not experienced it but the process of having a child is called labour for a reason and I’m afraid it is anything but a beautiful, magical experience.

That is why I was shocked to read about several NHS trusts in the country, including one in Essex, suspending the use of gas and air on a temporary basis.

This was done because of safety concerns after nitrous oxide levels were found to consistently exceed workplace limits in certain hospitals.

Gas and air, otherwise known as Entonox, is a short-term pain relief for people during childbirth and is taken in through a mouthpiece that the mother can breathe in.

I had it in both my labours and although it didn’t take away all the pain, it took the edge off and allowed me to feel like I had some control over the situation.

It was not enough for my second birth with my daughter and I ended up having an epidural, but I was grateful for the gas and air.

The run-up to having a baby is a scary time, especially if it is your first, and having the ability to use gas and air gives reassurance to mothers and their birthing partners.

It is true that childbirth is unpredictable and things can change in a split second.  
There are also other forms of pain relief.

But denying something as popular and well-established as gas and air, which could make the whole experience a negative one for people going through childbirth, is scary.