Gas was nothing & actually made me panic with something in my mouth, so after having the drip whipped up to full blast, I could not catch my breath between contractions & so I was offered & gladly accepted pethidine, it gave me a chance to relax a little, it took away the pain & yeah, I felt out of it, but still in control... I will go that way again (If I need any pain relief!), it really worked for me!