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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

to think testing pregnant women to check if they're smoking is a stupid idea

131 replies

thegriffon · 12/05/2013 11:44

Independent article.
This really can't have been thought through. Imagine conversation at AN appointment.
MW "Do you smoke?"
Pregnant woman "No".
MW "I don't believe you, please breathe into this machine."
Pregnant woman "Piss off".

OP posts:
TooOldForGlitter · 12/05/2013 15:25

missuswife I find that absolutely shocking. I cannot believe laws like that are allowed to pass.

Minifingers · 12/05/2013 15:31

If there is a high rate of non-disclosure (which I believe there is) health bodies will not be able to do research into the effects of prenatal smoking on babies, which can be said to be accurate.

For this reason alone it makes sense to offer the test to ALL women. Of course they are entitled to decline it. I think few would if they were told only that the test was simply to measure CO2 levels, rather than to identify smokers.

WorraLiberty · 12/05/2013 15:34

But it is to identify smokers, so telling them it was simply to measure CO2 levels, rather than to identify smokers would be deceptive.

Women aren't stupid anyway, they'll know what it's for due to the media coverage.

Wishiwasanheiress · 12/05/2013 15:35

Why test smoking but not drink or drugs? Makes no sense

Minifingers · 12/05/2013 15:36

But it's NOT just to identify smokers. How many women have high CO2 levels from passive smoking? Loads I bet. This would give them information which could help them when it comes to discouraging their partners from smoking in the home.

lozster · 12/05/2013 15:43

I was offered this but the machine was broken. As I understand it, this machine does two things 1) measures carbon monoxide 2) establishes what level it is present at. Measuring carbon monoxide is not the same as measuring if you are smoking as it can come from other sources. Measuring the level of carbon monoxide is informative if you do smoke or live around smokers as it gives you an idea of the impact of your particular habit rather than a general 'smoking is bad' message.

ChunkyPickle · 12/05/2013 15:47

But it clearly is to identify smokers, not people with dodgy heaters - Eilidhbelle was referred, despite not smoking!

Yes, I admit that that is one in a million, and so screws with the stats a lot less than not doing the test.

As for obesity, since I am, I can tell you that they took my word for my weight and height (something that I'm endlessly regretting being truthful over, as they are freaking out in complete disregard for the actual increases in risk), and haven't bothered to even ask to weigh me at all - which seems a bit silly given all the fuss, drugs, and appointments they're trying to foist on me, and how close I am to the magic BMI line they're so upset I've crossed..

If they can take my word for that, and cause a lot more expense than sending me to an 'eating cessation' unit, then I think they should be able to take my word on if I smoke or not.

Trigglesx · 12/05/2013 16:01

But it's NOT just to identify smokers. How many women have high CO2 levels from passive smoking? Loads I bet. This would give them information which could help them when it comes to discouraging their partners from smoking in the home.

So test the partners as well. If you're not going to believe the woman, why believe whether or not the partner smokes, eh? Test the partner and refer HIM to a smoking cessation if needed.

If I was pregnant and my partner smoked, IMO if they're that concerned, they could test HIM and refer HIM... but they're not testing me after I've already said I don't smoke.

And how convenient is it that MWs happen to mention that they found so-and-so's sister's cousin's brother's girlfriend had a dodgy heater through this test? Uh huh. Isn't that using scare tactics to convince women to take the test as well? Not on IMO.

Trigglesx · 12/05/2013 16:04

And I think it's a bit of a slippery slope... right now it's smoking. Next it will be drinking and drugs - but more regular testing "just in case" and "for their own good." and how soon before it becomes mandatory in order to get care as it will be labelled as "child protection measures."

Fakebook · 12/05/2013 16:06

I'm Anti smoking. I think it's a good idea.

Shenanagins · 12/05/2013 16:12

I don't see what the big deal is. I got it with my first pregnancy and had a reading which indicated i was a smoker or in close proximity to one - no on both counts. The mw reckoned it was from the drive in on the motorway. Got a lot of stuff sent to me automatically about giving up and an invite to make an appointment at a smoking cessation clinic, all of which went in the bin. No follow up, so no big deal.

JeffTheGodOfBiscuits · 12/05/2013 16:15

I struggled to give up smoking straight away with my second pregnancy. I cut down but didn't manage to stop until 12 weeks. I had the test when I was still smoking. The levels were green, ie/ said i didn't smoke. The test was early afternoon. I'd had one cigarette that day at approx 8am. So it's bloody pointless anyway.

ChunkyPickle · 12/05/2013 16:16

Shenanigans - no big deal right now, but how about in the future, when you go in for some kind of op - and they read in your notes that you're someone who had a high reading, refused and help, and still denies that they're a smoker so you get automatically put on some drug, or put on a different treatment or bumped down the list because the system thinks you're a secret smoker?

Does that sound paranoid? I don't think it is - if there's one thing I've noticed about medical care in this country so far it's that they trust the box ticking far too much rather than knowing their patient.

Shenanagins · 12/05/2013 16:23

Chunky, you are sounding a wee bit paranoid. I am pregnant and at the same hospital under the same obs. they pulled out my full notes from the last time due to other health issues and it wasn't even mentioned. I go to that hospital on a regular basis for my other health issue and its never mentioned. It really was a non issue.

ChunkyPickle · 12/05/2013 16:26

I don't know. I tend to move around a lot, and so my doctors don't know me (this is my fault), and they've definitely been inclined to read what's on the screen more than believe what I've said (even when I'm sitting right in front of them)

I also know that my partner and his dad share the same name, and they've been confused at the doctor more than once (despite a > 30 year age difference - but then the doctor didn't realise they were expecting a toddler for one of my son's appointments - so I guess DOB isn't read very much) and the wrong treatment was offered and would have been dispensed if DP hadn't spoken up.

Trigglesx · 12/05/2013 16:31

I honestly don't think Chunky IS being paranoid. There's been a lot of discussion politically about denying specific health care to people based on their personal habits - smoking, obesity, drugs, etc. This is simply an extension of that. I personally don't feel that this is a good path to go down, for any reason.

NeoMaxiZoomDweebie · 12/05/2013 16:39

No Chunky's not being paranoid at all.

badguider · 12/05/2013 16:43

I am anti-smoking too. But if I went into my MW appt on monday and she said she didn't believe me and wanted to test me I'd be pretty put out. I am an adult who deserves the respect of being believed.
Then if the CO levels read 'high' but I refused "help to stop smoking" I'd be forever recorded as a suspected smoker who refused to use nhs offered treatment to stop during pregnancy. I can't even explain how angry that would make me Angry

Shenanagins · 12/05/2013 16:43

I posted on direct personal experience on this which was that this test had no impact on the care received under my first pregnancy and nor has it been mentioned at all in this pregnancy despite being on the red path due to other health issues.

It really was such a non event unlike the mad breast feeding woman who i nearly walked out on and will refuse to see this time, but that is a whole other thread.

Ezza1 · 12/05/2013 17:39

I was tested at my 12 week booking appt. I had had my last cigarette at 10 weeks, which I told the midwife.

My reading came up as virtually a non smoker after only 2 weeks of not smoking? Hmm

Midwife was a little taken aback. I would be interested what my reading is now at 21 weeks (still not smoking). She never bothered testing me at 17 week appt.

valiumredhead · 12/05/2013 17:42

It's a ridiculous idea imo.

Fakebook · 12/05/2013 18:22

I don't see what the problem is though. They ask every pregnant woman if they're a victim of domestic violence too. I could get offended by that for them assuming my dh is a wife batterer. Women suffering from DV have nothing to be ashamed of and confiding in a midwife would help them. Why would a smoker or non-smoker be offended or ashamed by being tested for smoking? They will receive extra help to help stop or how to avoid passive smoke. It's not some kind of malicious step to make pregnant women feel vindicated.

Original poster
thegriffon · 12/05/2013 18:32

Ezza1 - your reading would have come up as a non smoker the day after quitting as carbon monoxide is eliminated in 24 hrs and substantially reduced after 12 hrs.
My father went to a smoking cessation clinic in the morning before he had his first cig (smokes 30/day) his score was very low. So its a crap test and would be easy to cheat if anyone could be arsed.

OP posts:
cory · 12/05/2013 18:37

Fakebook Sun 12-May-13 18:22:01
"I don't see what the problem is though. They ask every pregnant woman if they're a victim of domestic violence too. I could get offended by that for them assuming my dh is a wife batterer"

Exactly. They ask. And if you say no, they take your word for it: they don't install surveillance in your house to check you are not lying about it.

Which is precisely the same as what happens at a booking in meeting without smoke tests. They ask and then they take your word for it. Which is very different from asking and then testing you anyway.

GeordieCherry · 12/05/2013 18:40

I don't smoke. At my booking in appointment I breathed into the carbon monoxide thingy. We needed a new boiler Shock
Is that the thing they mean? I was terrified & very grateful

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