[monalisasmiles]

Hello. I am a writer and I have been researching carbon monoxide poisoning and death of a fetus. I know the seriousness of CO2 on the fetus and understand the blood and oxygen transfer issue. What I don't know is how the baby would be delivered at say, 5 months, dead from CO2 poisoning? Would a D E be done or would a doctor suggest the woman to carry the baby for awhile until it is naturally aborted? Induced labor? Are there blood tests that would be run to see what the cause of the miscarriage is? Would the doctor test for CO2 poisoning? Would CO2 cause her to abort the fetus faster than if CO2 was not present, say in a home? I appreciate your help!

[J_9]

D&E? I think you mean a D&C. At 5 months, roughly 20 weeks or more, it would be too late for a D&C and the child would be born vaginally.

[J_9]

If an ultrasound definitively indicates intrauterine fetal demise an induction would be initiated.

[ma0641]

Carbon Monoxide is CO, not CO2. They affect the body quite differently. CO2 is a simple asphyxiant, replacing Oxygen. CO blocks the hemoglobin so you can't transfer O2. By the time the person was tested for CO, assuming they were in a hospital situation, it may be hard to detect.

[J_9]

I missed that. CO2 is Carbon Dioxide. What you breathe out when you exhale. It is not carbon monoxide.