By MAMAMIA TEAM
“Excuse me, ma’am, can you please get out of the vehicle and breathe into this device?”
“Um, of course but hold on a moment, I’m heavily pregnant.”
“Oh we know. This is a smoking breath test.”
Okay, so although it’s unlikely that the police force will be involved, a new UK proposal to ask women to take smoking breath tests will actually come into force later this year. When a woman has her first antenatal appointment with a midwife, the midwife will be asked to test the soon-to-be mother’s carbon monoxide levels.
The point of this test is to find out whether mothers are telling the truth about their smoking habits, so that if it’s necessary midwives can then provide ‘appropriate support’ to mothers to help them quit. However, mothers – and the midwives who will be expected to administer the test – have branded the proposal ‘utter meddlesome nonsense’ and ‘ill-judged’ respectively.
askedMothers were furious at the change, proposed by health watchdog NICE, with members of website Mumsnet branding the plans ‘utter meddlesome nonsense’ and ‘intrusive nannying’…
Although the tests will not be compulsory, mothers may feel obliged to take them after being asked to do so in hospital…. Louise Silverton, director of midwifery at the Royal College of Midwives, said: ‘It is a bit draconian.
‘They are asking us to test each pregnant woman for carbon monoxide on their very first visit… ‘It is not allowing women to say no or midwives to use their judgment. And it puts pressure on the first visit when a lot of women are already dealing with a lot of information and stress.’
Others are concerned that this sort of test paints pregnant women as child-like inferiors who cannot be trusted to tell the truth about their vices.
Another concern from mothers and midwives is this: If a woman denies she is a smoker when questioned but is then asked to take a breath test anyway, the trust between the soon-to-be mother and midwife will be broken.
Of course, the reason that this proposal has even been suggested is obvious: smoking is dangerous for a developing foetus. Very dangerous. Smoking during pregnancy has been associated with behavioral problems in children, such as short attention spans, as well as childhood diabetes and obesity.
Smoking while pregnant can also increase the risk of such heartbreaking occurrences as SIDS, stillbirths and miscarriages. But many women who are having trouble quitting, may have just as much trouble admitting this to a midwife and seeking support, because of the social stigma associated with smoking while pregnant.
NICE (the National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence) in the UK pointed out that, “This makes it difficult to ensure they are offered appropriate support. A carbon monoxide test is an immediate and non-invasive biochemical method for helping to assess whether or not someone smokes.”
Now this is the poms, but do we need a similar test in Australia?
According to research released by the Australian Institute of Family Studies in 2011, 18 per cent of women continue smoking while pregnant. Positively, about 40 per cent of female smokers successfully quit when they discover they are pregnant – but the remaining 60 per cent find it difficult.
Would you support a smoking test for pregnant women?
Top Comments
I personally am disgusted by the idea of smoking while pregnant. However, I realise in some cases quitting is extremely hard & I know a few women who were heavy smokers, who were told by their doctor NOT to quit straight away, but to gradually cut down. As a sudden cut can be just as harmful as smoking in the 1st place. I was nauseated by the smell of cigarettes when I was pregnant, which was great being almost the only non smoker in my work place. Most of the guys were great & would smoke as far away from me as possible, but you can't help when the wind blows it at you. 1 of the older blokes didn't give a shit & came & practically at my side one day. Yes I moved while giving him the most displeased look I could. Some people are just arrogant. ANYWHO I digress... I don't think a test is necessary. It could be damaging for some women, it would be nice to just believe that given the power you hold over this new life you have created you could consider the risks & the baby's rights to good future health & be honest with your midwife & get the help you need if you need it. I'm not trying to be harsh, I apologise if this comes across as a bite at any of the expectant mums & mums reading, I assure you it is NOT intended that way. I'm just naive & do understand that although I see it as disgusting there are always exceptions. To all the expectant Mums reading, it's a stressful enough time. Try to relax & be as calm as you can & enjoy this magical moment! Best of everything & infinite positive vibes coming at you all xxxxxx
I don't think we need this test. If a woman is a smoker, she should be aware of the harm she is doing to her baby. She is responsible for her baby's health afterall.