High carbon monoxide reading

[Penahn95]

I’ve just been for my 24 week midwife appointment. My carbon monoxide reading was 7, so I’ve got to go back next week for another reading? I don’t smoke and my partner only very occasionally smokes outside. We had our boiler serviced last week, but now I’m worried as my midwife said a high reading could result in my baby having a low birth weight or a miscarriage? I’m looking for some reassurance please as I really don’t know why my reading could’ve been high.

Hello,
this just popped up on my feed and I don’t normally respond but have recently had the exact same thing!

I had a high reading at my 28 week appointment. neither my partner or I smoke, and funnily enough our house is all electric so not even possible that it is from the boiler (my midwife also suggested that as it can be a sign something is wrong).
the only thing we could think of is that we had just been for a 1 hour dog walk, and then driven to the appointment along a busy road while our car window was down. The midwife suggested it could just be a day where pollution is high, and I thought perhaps all the car fumes might have contributed.

They didn’t worry about the reading too much and at my next appointment (31 weeks) I did the reading again and it was completely normal (low) I think about 1-2.

I would say don’t worry too much. Do get your boiler checked out as a precaution (just for your families general health) but also your next result might be completely normal.

I doubt it is something to worry about for your baby. You know you are not smoking or passively smoking which is what can cause problems for your baby. This test is to help midwife’s identify those that need support.

I hope your next result turns out to be lower, and until then try not to worry. It sounds like you are doing a good job and being careful about everything which is all you can do.

Is your partner going to give up when the babies here at least?

Hey😊 though I’d share in case it helps at all!

In my first pregnancy I once had a reading of 16 (which was scary!) so they kept me in and ran some bloods which came back fine. After making sure the car and house etc were safe it was suggested I cut out dairy as an intolerance can cause a higher co2 level I your body. I stopped eating dairy and didn’t go above 1 again.

Fast forward to a few weeks ago, I had a reading of 5 and I asked what could have caused this and they said it could have been due to sitting near smokers for a while prior to the test being done (think the smokers clinic was running that day) or on my journey there as I had been walking next to a busy road but ultimately it can change for loads of reasons.

It’s probably just a one off and I’m sure if it happens again on your retest they’ll make some suggestions on what can be done to help reduce this for you based on your own circumstances 😊 x