Women giving birth at Upstate University Hospital's Women giving birth at Upstate University Hospital's Family Birth Center Family Birth Center now now have the option of using nitrous oxide have the option of using nitrous oxide, also known as laughing gas, to help control labor pain. Nurse manager Laurie Fegley, left, explains how the gas works and how it compares with epidural pain relief. She also tells about the private birthing rooms with whirlpool tubs that make up the Family Birth Center, located at Upstate's Community campus. , also known as laughing gas, to help control labor pain. Nurse manager Laurie Fegley, left, explains how the gas works and how it compares with epidural pain relief. She also tells about the private birthing rooms with whirlpool tubs that make up the Family Birth Center, located at Upstate's Community campus.