Carbon monoxide testing midwife appointment

[Fraidwo1]

Hi, I was just wondering if anyone else was routinely tested for carbon monoxide in their midwife appointments?

I was tested every time I saw the midwife, despite being a non-smoker. I was accused of smoking once because my CM readings reached level 3. I have spoken to a few other mums in baby groups and some never got tested at all.

I thought nothing of it at the time (although I was offended when the midwife insisted either me or my partner had been smoking), but now I wonder why was I tested while other mum’s weren’t? I thought they did it as a safety precaution but now I’m wondering if it’s another way of just trying to catch people out for smoking. We’re considering having another baby, and I still don’t smoke so I might just refuse the test given how I was treated in the previous pregnancy? Apparently pollution can cause levels of 3 on the test too.

I was tested in both my pregnancies, only once though not routinely.

I was tested at my booking appointment but thats it. I don't smoke

We test at every appointment

I was tested in both pregnancies. In my second I got a reading of 3. They asked if we had a carbon monoxide monitor at home (yes) and whether I'd walked to the appointment (yes). Based on that, they decided traffic was the most likely cause and never mentioned it again.

Our trust tests all women at every appointment. Anything 4 and below is normal. However, the reading can be influenced by second hand smoke, pollution and faulty gas appliances, as well as other things. It’s a recommendation from a report that was released to reduce the incidence of stillbirth in the UK, so don’t take it personally.

Tested here at every appointment, consultant and midwife

Was initially tested at the booking appointment, however I was also tested on my last appointment at 38 weeks and they told me they now do it at every appointment.

Tested at booking in appointment (non smoker) and got a reading of 3, but she didn’t explain where that fell on that scale of normal and didn’t say it was bad or good!

Anything below 4 is normal for a non-smoker.

I don't think I was ever tested with DC1 - and currently pregnant now and not been tested either?

I am tested at every appt, currently 29 weeks

At every appointment in both of my pregnancies.

I was tested at most appointments with my first, but never with my second.

I wasn't tested with either dc. Would they test more often if you live somewhere where there is often high pollution?

I don't think I was ever tested

The health visitor did accuse me of smoking after my baby was born due to my placenta being "gritty".. when I googled it, it said it goes like that when the placenta has aged. As I was 38 weeks I didn't think it was that surprising. Not sure what she was getting at tbh

I've been tested three times. There is a space on the notes for it so assumed it was routine. My score is usually 1 so it's not like they're monitoring it closely.

It’s a recommendation from the saving babies lives report. There are many potential reasons for a raised carbon monoxide reading, some of which (such as a faulty boiler) you would be unaware of hence why they should offer monitoring at booking and in later pregnancy.

it’s nothing personal.

My first pregnancy it was just at booking, the second time (moved areas) was every appointment

It's been routine for years. The machines can be temperamental so if people aren't tested then it's likely the midwife's machine was broken/forgotten/whatever.

Some things can cause a higher reading, pollution, faulty appliance etc. Some people lie about smoking. Midwives are not daft.

I was tested at every midwife appointment. At one of them my level was 4. I had driven to the appointment and had been sat in traffic with the window open for 10 minutes on the way. It went down to 3 by the end of the appointment but it definitely made me think more about what I was breathing in!

Everyone gets tested

Nope. Didn't bother. What would be the point exactly?

I was only tested once during the pregnancy. I think she did say they also test at one of the last appointments but as baby was born at 37 weeks we never had them

It isn’t compulsory. I declined the test as I’ve never smoked and don’t have any risk of carbon monoxide at home.

Tested at every appointment in three different Trusts. The midwife once denied it was partly to check if I was really a smoker - until I pointed out the picture of the lit cigarette on the machine and the words 'Smoke-alyser'