Breath-test the pregnant - new guidance

Thursday June 24th, 2010

Pregnant women should be breath-tested to see if they are smoking, according to tough new guidelines proposed for British hospitals today.

The tests would measure levels of the gas carbon monoxide and, while women could refuse them, the guidelines say midwives should encourage them to accept.

The test would identify smokers but also women exposed to heavy smoking by others in their homes. It might also warn women of faulty gas systems, which could also harm the unborn baby.

The proposals dismayed midwives, who warned it could undermine their relationship with pregnant women.

The National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence said cutting out smoking would protect thousands of unborn babies.

Professor Mike Kelly, of NICE, said: "This isn't to penalise them if they have been smoking, but instead will be a useful way to show women that both smoking and passive smoking can lead to having high levels of carbon monoxide in their systems. It will also alert non-smokers with high carbon monoxide levels to possible CO poisoning, which can be caused by a faulty boiler or car emissions.

"We've known for many years that smoking and passive smoking can cause serious illnesses like lung cancer. During pregnancy, smoking puts the health of the women and her unborn baby at great risk both in the short and long-term, and small children who are exposed to second-hand smoke are more likely to suffer from respiratory problems."

Sue Macdonald, of the Royal College of Midwives, welcomed the guidelines but added:

"Use of the CO2 monitor has the potential to make women feel guilty and not engaged.

"It is crucial that health practitioners, including midwives, focus on being supportive rather than making women feeling guilty, or as though they may not be truthful. We need to look at a range of individualised interventions for women that meet their needs and aspirations.

"There is also the cost implication of all midwives carrying monitors, and issues such as safety and infection control, and whether this is the best use of funds to address smoking cessation."

But Jane Brewin, chief executive of baby charity Tommy's, said: "The sooner women who are pregnant can give up smoking, the better. Every baby deserves the best start in life and those born to smokers tend be smaller and weaker than other infants."

Tags: Childbirth and Pregnancy | Drug & Alcohol Abuse | NHS | Nursing & Midwifery | UK News | Women’s Health & Gynaecology

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