Undetected gas leak - carbon monoxide damage?

[chrissie_81]

Hi lovelies,

So, I'm trying so hard to remain calm, but freaking out a little...when I went for my booking appointment nearly 4 weeks ago my carbon monoxide levels were recorded as higher than they should be (I'm not a smoker, never have been). The midwife asked about my boiler, and I said it had just recently been serviced; so she said I should get my car exhaust emissions checked which I did immediately and all was fine. So I stopped thinking about it...then I recently realized my gas hob was smelling of gas in the cupboard beside it, only noticed when I opened it to get a pan. Reported it to my gas engineers thinking it would be nothing as they'd recently been to service everything...turns out it's been leaking gas for goodness knows how long!! So it was condemned and I've had a new one fitted! I'm really stressing that I've been inhaling leaking gas for all the most important months and absolutely petrified it may have caused damage to my developing baby.

What should I do?! Called my GP surgery and they said they don't do carbon monoxide tests, but have booked me into see midwife after Christmas ("and she maybe will do it" the receptionist said!). Tried 3 different pharmacies to see if they could do the test, no luck. Called and left message with centre where I did my booking appointment and praying they can help me tomorrow (even though they say not to contact them before 20 weeks!) oh man, I'm panicking! Does anyone have any insight, reassuring experiences? Really sorry for this epic message!! 😬🙈

[Hidden]

I’ve not advice but hopefully you can get some reassurance tomorrow. I can’t believe they say don’t contact them before 20 weeks! I was allowed to contact from as soon as I had my booking appointment if needed xx

[chrissie_81 in reply to Hidden]

Thank you so much for your kind reply hydromermaid xx yeh, I feel in real limbo with it all, quite unsettling. Hoping I get some reassurance today also. Thanks again for taking the time to reply xx

[Billywhizz10]

We were worried about carbon monoxide as we live in the middle of London. I wouldn’t worry, most researchers point to carbon monoxide poisoning to have real damage to weight and development. You probably had no more than a light smoker, and you’ve “stopped” now and it’s unlikely you got much as your recorded levels didn’t send your midwife into a panic.

As your baby is developing all the time, just ensure your healthy as you can be, and install (if you haven’t already) a carbon monoxide alarm, no home should be without one,

[Pebbles90]

I had exactly the same problem at around 16 weeks - the pipe in my cupboard leading to my hob and been leaking. Aparently readings were so high, he reckoned it had been like it for a very long time. Anyway I asked about the dangers as I was really worried about my baby - he told me gas is complete non-toxic and will not cause any harm to anyone inhaling it (including my baby). Carbon monoxide only leaks when an appliance is faulty (I.e an old boiler) and wouldn’t be present in a regular gas leak. I know this doesn’t explain why your carbon monoxide levels were high, but it shouldn’t be related to your leak (if carbon monoxide was being produced from it the engineer would have condemned the appliance). Hope this reassures you a bit!

[chrissie_81]

Thank you all for your kind reassurance....I have *finally* just got a call back from the doctor who has reassured me that it's highly unlikely to have caused any fetal damage as it was a natural gas leak (which is not poisonous on its own), so in a ventilated kitchen the chances of fetus absorbing any are so slim. I'm so relieved!! It's been an anxious day! Crikey, this is gonna be a long 9 months if I get frantic about everything!!! 😂🙈 xx

[LucyJJ]

Just to add that it might be the ‘Day Assessment Unit’ you cannot contact until 20 weeks, mine isn’t before 19 weeks.

But the early pregnancy unit is exactly that - for early pregnancy, so if ever in doubt I’d contact them.

And, as much as you are looking for answers, them now testing your levels won’t make a change to what’s been happening for the last few weeks, so the Priorität (im sure you’re on the case) is to stop the leak and make sure you are no longer exposed.

I can’t help with the possible impact it may have had but there is nothing they can do about what you have been exposed to recently. All the best!