PRI introduces new health test for expectant mothers

The health and wellbeing of pregnant women is the focus of an initiative launched by midwives.

Expectant mothers attending their first antenatal appointment at Perth Royal Infirmary will now be offered a carbon monoxide (CO) test.

The simple test involves breathing into a device that detects and measures the level of carbon monoxide in both the woman and her unborn child.

As part of the scheme, midwives will explain the health effects of high CO levels on pregnancy and unborn babies.

Midwife Linda Gierasik said: “This service is being supported by NHS Tayside’s Stop Smoking Services and aims to improve the health of mums-to-be and their unborn babies, increase smoking cessation rates among pregnant women and reduce complications in their pregnancy.

“It also highlights the effect of passive smoking,” she added.

“When women attend their first antenatal appointment, their midwife will give them the opportunity to be tested to find out if they or their unborn child are being affected by carbon monoxide from tobacco smoke, whether from their own smoking or from being around others who smoke.”