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Pregnancy

Carbon monoxide breath test - high levels

19 replies

beemay · 01/03/2016 16:05

My midwife gave me a carbon monoxide breath test today - the result was 17.7 - level of a very heavy smoker (I don't smoke, nor does my partner or anyone we know). She said there are three possible sources: house, car or environmental pollution. We're getting the first two tested but midwife thinks most likely car fumes. I walk DD (aged 16 months) along a busy road every day.

So this could affect the baby's growth. I'm worried sick. We'll know more at the 12 week scan in 3 weeks or so.

Has anyone else experienced this? What did you do? Were there any long term consequences? I didn't have this test with my first pregnancy, seems to be a new thing.

OP posts:

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LumpishAndIllogical · 01/03/2016 18:38

I had a high reading for a non-smoker, can't remember what is was but it was the reading for a 'light smoker.' I don't smoke, nor does anyone around me including DP.

I live in London and the pollution is pretty high so I have assumed it's that? Do you live in a city?

Baby has been fine though and no health problems. I am 25 weeks pregnant

Also no test in my first pregnancy so I assume it is a new thing.

beemay · 01/03/2016 19:56

Thank you for your reply. We live in a large town, walk along a busy road often clogged up with school traffic. I commute into London. So I guess it could be that, but I'm so worried about harm to the baby (and DD for that matter). I walk away from smokers in the street to avoid breathing it in, and to be told my levels are equivalent to heavy smoker is grim.

OP posts:

gamerchick · 01/03/2016 20:00

In a few years the smoking bashing threads will be replaced by car threads bashing owners for not getting an electric car. How dare someone drive down the street around my child type of stuff.

There isn't really much you can do, you can't avoid going out.

gamerchick · 01/03/2016 20:02

Id probably get a carbon monoxide detector for the house though if you haven't already.

shutupandshop · 01/03/2016 20:03

What? Midwives test your breath gor CM? Why?

shutupandshop · 01/03/2016 20:03

Glad I am done with pregnancy.

gamerchick · 01/03/2016 20:05

They do now in some areas especially down south. Car pollution is affecting people's health.

WhoTheFuckIsSimon · 01/03/2016 20:06

I would get another check with a different machine and make sure it's not a faulty reading as well.

pinkcan · 01/03/2016 20:08

My friend had this. Turned out her car was faulty. Baby was fine when born.

If the problem is walking along a busy road, can you drive instead? I know that is not helping the problem but at least your pregnancy will be healthier.

ItsAllGoingToBeFine · 01/03/2016 20:09

We live in a large town, walk along a busy road often clogged up with school traffic. I commute into London.

Can you change your walking route? Even walking one road back from the main road was decrease your exposure to air pollution a lot. I don't think it will help with CO, but you and your daughtercould always wear a pollution mask which would help filter out a lot of the particulates which also aren't great for you.

OliviaDunham · 01/03/2016 20:09

I had this done for DC2 11 years ago, I smoked up until I found out I was pregnant. The test showed the midwifes to be 3 X higher than mine and she had never smoked. I really wouldn't worry.

ItsAllGoingToBeFine · 01/03/2016 20:10

What? Midwives test your breath gor CM? Why?

Because people lie about smoking when they are pregnant, and midwives need to know. Also as OP shows non-smokers in cities can also be exposed to a lot of CO

JayBeanie · 01/03/2016 20:12

I had mine tested last week and the result was 8, my midwife was surprised at that level (she actually got another machine in case the first one was faulty). We've got a monitor at home and it shows zero so I'm going to take it to work with me tomorrow in my car and see if that shows anything odd. Like you op I'm worried about the baby being small

beemay · 01/03/2016 20:12

Thank you all. We have two monitors at home, both show levels are fine. Going to get a double check done, and car checked too. Already started using a different route to nursery/station. I hadn't thought of pollution masks!

OP posts:

OliviaDunham · 01/03/2016 21:34

Pollution masks? Is this just another nuts MN thing?

ItsAllGoingToBeFine · 01/03/2016 21:38

Pollution masks? Is this just another nuts MN thing?

Cyclists often wear them. respro.com/pollution-masks They will filter out some, but by no means all, and you need to remember to keep changing the filters.

OliviaDunham · 01/03/2016 21:44

I totally get cyclists wearing them - but pedestrians? Seems a bit like wrapping up in bubble wrap to me (don't mean to cause offence btw)

shutupandshop · 01/03/2016 22:25

I can't understand gor pollution but for smoking... Nanny state.

ItsAllGoingToBeFine · 01/03/2016 22:45

I totally get cyclists wearing them - but pedestrians?

www.theguardian.com/environment/bike-blog/2014/feb/20/air-pollution-cyclists-bike-blog

Carbon monoxide breath test - high levels

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