Nitrous oxide does not cause any abnormalities or malformations. Nor does it interfere with the contractions or have any effect on the duration of labour. Although it passes easily to the baby, as we have already seen, it is very rapidly eliminated as soon as the baby cries and starts to breathe. It does not have any effect on the fetal heart rate or circulation and does not depress the baby's respiration at birth. In other words, nitrous oxide is perfectly safe for the baby.

Studies on the neurobehaviour of infants who have been exposed to nitrous oxide during labour have detected no influence of the gas whatsoever - even in the first few hours of life. Similarly, other studies have confirmed that nitrous oxide has no effects on the infant's ability to suckle.