Non smoking test - first appointment from referral to see specialist

[Misery88]

Hi guys,

I’m hoping I’ve put this in the right place. I’ve got myself in a bit of a pickle, I was an ex-smoker but unfortunately recent days have been so kind to me and I’ve ended up smoking a few a day for last few days. My concern is, I’ve finally received my first appointment from a referral to fertility clinic (so this will be my first visit to a specialist), and it’s next week! I’ve heard you need to be non smoking, and I’ve heard they will test you. So my question is, do you know how they test you and when? I should mention that it’s so early days we’ve not gone through the if we’re “eligible” For NHS funding. So we’re like right at the start of the journey

thank you xxx

Assuming it’s the same as the test when you are pregnant it is a carbon monoxide breath test and they do it at every appointment. As an aside though smoking really does harm your chances of conceiving and of course is dangerous for a baby during pregnancy so you would be best being honest about it so that you can access support to stop for good x

Thank you for the quick response. My aim is to quit, it’s a on going battle but it’s been almost 24 hrs since I last had one. And I’m not planning on anymore. I’m just more concerned that because it was a short time ago I had one, I wouldn’t pass the smoking test (1st appointment is next Tuesday), as this’ll be the first time I’m going through it I had no idea how it was done or how long ago it’ll pick up you’ve smoked depending on what tests x

I would let them know you’re trying to quit and they can signpost you to resources, they do this during pregnancy also x

I didn’t have any smoking tests at my fertility appointments so unless they’ve told you you’ll have one then you won’t. I would personally not tell them if I was a smoker as they can just say no to progressing your application for support, but if you want a baby you really do need to quit smoking - it’s terrible for your fertility and baby. So I’d not tell them (if not doing the test) but actually quit and do it properly and not slip up. Can you try vaping to wean yourself off? It’s not as punished by fertility clinics and nhs than smoking (but still terrible for you and your chances of having a baby so only a short term measure). Good luck!

Thank you for the reply x I’ve been reading a lot and it’s all so mixed, some have tested (and been told beforehand) and some haven’t been at all, like yourself. But I’ve come to believe (try anyway) that they have to inform you before your appointment at chosen fertility clinic that they’ll be a smoking test done. I’ve decided I’m going to go cold turkey, I stopped at the start of this year but relapsed, and weaning myself off was worse than actually just smoking as I’d just smoke more and more with vapes, sometimes I vaped more than actual cigs. Honestly need my head in the game as I’ve wanted this for so long and it’s been years, which is why I’m scared of screwing up because of just trying to quit again. But this quitting is so hard :( but I know it’s for the right reason.

I think it’d be best to try and stop, before telling them. As my partner has no idea and I’m terrified of screwing up after waiting so long. The appointment came a lot quicker than we thought. Thought I had more time tbh, but if I relapse then I’ll have no choice to tell them. But until then, I’ll try beat this solo because I desperately want this x

You are much better with a vape if you are going to relapse
They deliver nicotine different so a cigarette is like vodka, a vape is like beer - you tend to vape more but little and often
If you're desperate then definitely vape instead of smoking. I quit smoking with a vape and every single HCP from my dentist to haematology to doctor has done nothing but praise it

What do you mean "if you relapse"? That's entirely within your power - not down to random chance.

Get the support you need. You need to be thinking of putting any potential child first. (None of this is meant in a scolding way but hopefully a "you can do this" way!)

The thing is though every cigarette you smoke knocks back the chance of you having a baby, the damage is being done every time you light one. If you can get proper support to stop smoking now your chances of falling pregnant and having a healthy pregnancy are going to be much higher. If you want a baby to the extent you’re having a fertility appointment then you really should have quit a long time ago, as for all you know those cigarettes could well be the thing that has been preventing pregnancy. Honestly I’d reach out and get support if I was you, if wanting a child wasn’t enough to make you quit then nothing will be so make sure you get all the support you can