Protecting your baby from tobacco smoke is one of the best things you can do to give your child a healthy start in life. It can be difficult to stop smoking, but it's never too late to quit.
If you smoke and you want to stop - you can. We understand quitting can seem difficult but there is help at hand.
The sooner you stop smoking, the better for you and your baby.
Lissa Walker works as an assistant practitioner and maternity stop smoking advisor with the outpatients midwifery team at North Cumbria Integrated Care NHS Foundation Trust.
She explains the benefits and the support that is in place to stop smoking.
She said: “Stopping smoking will help you and your baby immediately. Harmful gases, such as carbon monoxide, and other damaging chemicals will clear from your body and your developing baby.
“This will increase the oxygen in your body and therefore in your developing baby, giving them a chance to grow to his or her full potential. This means you are more likely to have a healthier pregnancy and a healthier baby – and reduce the risk of sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS), also known as cot death.
“If you stop smoking you will feel better, live longer and have more money to spend.
“You can do this – you may need help and that’s OK.
“Ask your midwife about free, friendly support, based on proven techniques to help you make a change – or make a call yourself. The first step of emailing or phoning can seem the biggest. So we promise a friendly voice from someone who understands.
“If your partner smokes too, it can be hard to find the strength to stop by yourself. Quitting smoking together increases the chances of change for all three of you.”
From this month, NCIC will be offering pregnant women who smoke, the opportunity to receive love2shop vouchers to support them to have a smoke free pregnancy. To be eligible, they must be referred to the maternity Stop Smoking Advisor by her Maternity Health Care provider.
The expectant mum will need to provide regular Carbon Monoxide (CO) readings throughout the pregnancy and be available for appointments and follow up calls at the various key points of the incentive scheme.
They will also be offered regular support from the Stop Smoking Advisor. Vouchers will be issued if the CO reading of 3ppm or less is confirmed.
New mums will be encouraged to remain smoke free too – they will be eligible for more vouchers if they can provide the some readings of 3ppm or less four weeks after birth.
If a partner or significant other who shares the home also smokes they will be encouraged in the same way. If they can provide a CO reading of 3ppm or less four weeks after the birth then they will also be eligible for the vouchers.
Any questions please contact the Maternity Stop Smoking Advisors.
Benefits of stopping smoking in pregnancy
Stopping smoking will help both you and your baby immediately. Harmful gases, such as carbon monoxide, and other damaging chemicals will clear from your body. When you stop smoking:
- you will reduce the risk of complications in pregnancy and birth
- you are more likely to have a healthier pregnancy and a healthier baby
- you will reduce the risk of stillbirth
- your baby is less likely to be born too early and have to face the breathing, feeding and health problems that often go with being premature
- your baby is less likely to be born with a low birth weight. Babies of smokers are, on average, lighter than other babies, which can cause problems during and after labour. For example, they are more likely to have problems keeping warm and are more likely to get infections
- you will reduce the risk of sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS), also known as "cot death"
- Stopping smoking now will also help your baby later in life. Children whose parents smoke are more likely to suffer from asthma and other serious illnesses that may need hospital treatment.
The sooner you stop smoking, the better. But even if you stop in the last few weeks of your pregnancy this will benefit you and your baby.
Outside of the hospital, people wanting help to stop smoking can contact their GP and local pharmacy for support.
National smokefree helpline
The National Smokefree helpline offers free help, support and advice on stopping smoking and can give you details of local support services.
You can also sign up to receive ongoing advice and support at a time that suits you.
National Smokefree helpline: 0300 123 1044
9am to 8pm Monday to Friday, and 11am to 4pm Saturday and Sunday.