Guidance

Carbon monoxide (CO): antenatal checks algorithm for midwives

An algorithm for midwives to help diagnose carbon monoxide poisoning in pregnant women and offer advice for women in the event of exposure.

Documents

Carbon monoxide (CO) antenatal checks algorithm (print version)

Request an accessible format.
If you use assistive technology (such as a screen reader) and need a version of this document in a more accessible format, please email publications@ukhsa.gov.uk. Please tell us what format you need. It will help us if you say what assistive technology you use.

Carbon monoxide (CO) antenatal checks algorithm: summary (print version)

Request an accessible format.
If you use assistive technology (such as a screen reader) and need a version of this document in a more accessible format, please email publications@ukhsa.gov.uk. Please tell us what format you need. It will help us if you say what assistive technology you use.

Details

This flowchart can help midwives identify pregnant women who might be exposed to carbon monoxide (CO) from sources other than products containing tobacco. As well as aiding identification of such women, it includes advice and key telephone numbers for services providing further advice and practical assistance.

To learn more about preventing harm from environmental exposure to carbon monoxide, see the NHS e-learning for health resource on carbon monoxide awareness in pregnancy on the NHS learning hub.

Read the joint letter on carbon monoxide from the Chief Medical Officer, Chief Nursing Officer and Director of Nursing at the Department of Health and Public Health England.

Updates to this page

Published 11 November 2014
Last updated 1611 FebruaryMay 2026 + show all updates
  1. Added link to new 'Carbon monoxide awareness in pregnancy' NHS page.

  2. QR code added to Carbon monoxide (CO) antenatal checks algorithm: summary (print version).

  3. Added updated algorithm and summary.

  4. Updated leaflet.

  5. First published.

Sign up for emails or print this page