Combined test and smoking

[Whathefisgoingon]

I am 12 weeks pregnant with my second, and today I went for the combined scan.

My worry is this. I quit smoking (again) the day I found out I was pregnant at 4 weeks, just like I did with my first.

Unfortunately, over the last few days DP and I have been on the verge of a break up and I smoked 2 cigarettes yesterday and 1 today as I was just stressed and impulsive.

Today on the paperwork for the screening they asked if I was a smoker and I said no, but I’d had a couple over the last couple of days. Obviously they probably don’t believe me, and has to put “smoker” down on the paperwork anyway. They explained that they will “deduct” a certain level of something now, to allow for a smoker status, to stop a false positive high risk result.

Still, I’m now worried that I’ll get a high risk result unnecessary because there was some nicotine in my system at the time of the blood test.

I feel awful for having those cigarettes, but it is what it is.

Does anyone know how it really works and can offer some reassurance?

Risk with my first came back as 1/25,000 but I was 30 and I’m 34 now!

Basically, I don’t want to end up with an invasive test with miscarriage risk all because I had a few smokes! I’m hoping this isn’t likely?

If they're "deducting" points for the light smoking, it sounds like that's to allow for the effect of ingested smoke when they score the test (?)

So just trust the test and concentrate on not smoking any more. Are you allowed NRT when you're pregnant?

Sorry I wasn't very clear. It sounds like the scoring means that definitely won't happen. The worry would be if you hadn't told them.

@JeandeServiette

Thanks for the reply.

I don’t need any smoking cessation help, like I said Ive done 9 weeks smoke free and cracked for a couple in moments of extreme distress.

@JeandeServiette ah I see, ok thank you.

Or worse, as I’ve been put down as a fully fledged smoker, they may make the amendment which would give a false negative result, as I’m not an actual smoker!

@Whathefisgoingon ex smoker myself. They have to put you down as a smoker for those bloods because what it’s actually asking is whether or not you’ve had a cigarette in the last week. They will see you’re not a smoker again when you do your co2 test at the midwife, if your trust does them.

Being a smoker downgrades your risk, doesn't make it higher, as the results of the blood test that can show abnormalities with the baby can be due to being a smoker.

Well..You are an actual smoker..you smoked!
I'm sure it won't have much of an effect and it 'is what it is'..but please don't do it again as your baby is also smoking that cigarette.
I smoked twenty a day for years but stopped the month before TTC and didn't touch it again.
I know I sound harsh but it's so unfair on the baby and I would vape instead..far less toxic chemicals for you both should another stressful situation in which you feel you cannot stop yourself

@Chanteuse Thanks for the reply.

maybe I’m overthinking it but I’m worried I’ll get a false negative in that case.

Also if it helps its my understanding that the next step on from the 12 week testing is the NIPT test, which a non invasive blood test. So you wouldn’t jump straight to an invasive test next, or at all.