Hidden risks - carbon monoxide

When you smoke, you breathe in a cocktail of dangerous chemicals, including a gas called carbon monoxide.
You can’t see or smell it, but it’s harmful to you and your baby because it affects how your body uses oxygen.

Carbon monoxide:

affects how your baby grows and develops.
makes health problems more likely during your pregnancy and when you give birth.

Testing for carbon dioxide

You will have a carbon monoxide test at your first antenatal appointment.

You blow into a machine which measures the carbon monoxide in your body and you get the results straightaway.

If the result is 4 or more your midwife will ask you whether you smoke, or whether you live in a house where someone else smokes. It’s best to be honest, so your midwife can get you the right help.

Carbon monoxide smoking and your baby

Carbon monoxide leaflet - picture of cover

We've produced this patient information leaflet to tell you more about how carbon monoxide (CO) can affect your pregnancy and your baby, and how the levels of CO in your blood, and the risks, drop quickly when you stop smoking.

Your levels can drop as low as a non-smoker in as little as 24hrs when you stop smoking and make your home and car smokefree.