Smoking and pregnancy

Stopping smoking during pregnancy is the single most important step a mother can take to benefit her health and her baby’s health.

As the baby shares the mother’s bloodstream the womb does not protect the unborn baby from cigarette smoke. Cigarettes contain over 4,000 chemicals, including carbon monoxide, nicotine and cyanide, all of which are passed onto the baby every time the mother smokes.

As babies need oxygen to grow their development can be affected.

Smoking is the main cause of low birth weight in babies, babies of mothers who smoke are, on average, 200g (about 7oz) lighter than other babies. These babies may have problems during and after labour, and are more prone to infection.

It’s never too late to stop smoking. Once the mother stops smoking the baby will benefit immediately and the oxygen supply will quickly return to normal.

If you stop smoking . . . 

• You’ll have less morning sickness and fewer complications in  pregnancy

• You’re more likely to have a healthier pregnancy and a healthier baby

• You’ll reduce the risk of stillbirth

• You’ll cope better with the birth

• Your baby will cope better with any birth complications

• Your baby is less likely to be born too early and to face the additional breathing, feeding and health problems that often come with prematurely

• Your baby is less likely to be underweight and have extra problems in keeping warm

• You'll reduce the risk of cot death

• You will have more time to spend with your kids, more energy and more money! - Someone who smokes 20 cigs per day will save over £2,000 in one year!!

 It is important for the partners of pregnant women to try to quit smoking too because if the partner smokes, the pregnant smoker will find it much more difficult to quit successfully.

In addition, regular exposure to second hand smoke results in low birth weight.

In Leeds we offer a specialised pregnancy service Fresh Air Babies (FAB), this is a service run by specially trained advisors to help pregnant women in Leeds stop smoking. We also offer this support to women planning a pregnancy and women who have recently had a baby.

We understand that many people feel guilty about smoking whilst they are pregnant but also find it very difficult to stop. Fresh Air Babies provides non-judgemental support to help ease your worries about quitting smoking and to boost your confidence.

 What can the 'FAB' service offer?

• A quick response to your enquiry or request for an appointment

• A free, friendly, confidential service

• Support for partners and family members

• 1:1 support in your own home, workplace, or in a place close to where you live

• Nicotine Replacement Therapy on prescription
  

• Advice on breaking habits and routines

• Carbon Monoxide testing to show your progress

 Take your first steps . . . .

To make an appointment:

Phone Nicky or Fran on 0800 169 4219 (Mon-Fri 9am-5pm)

Or text ‘FAB’ to 07811 542548

Or email: stopsmokingleeds@nhs.net

Top tips for pregnant women going smokefree:

• Chuck out your ashtrays, matches and lighters and anything else you needed to smoke

• Start a savings jar today. Put all the money you’re saving by not smoking in a clear jar every day and watch how fast it grows

• Tell everyone that your home is a smokefree zone so you won’t be tempted by people smoking in front of you and your baby won’t be suffering from other people’s smoke

• Work out when and where you used to smoke so you know when your trigger times are, and think of ways to avoid them. Try sitting somewhere else when you drink your tea or getting up after dinner to go and put some hand cream on

• If you’re really finding it tough, there are some nicotine replacement therapies that are safe to use in pregnancy and they’re free on prescription for pregnant women. They can really help you beat the cravings. Just ask your stop smoking adviser, GP, midwife, health visitor or pharmacist

• Quitting smoking can be stressful. Chill out by taking a soak in the bath whenever you can

• Get as many scan pictures as you can and put them up around the house, especially in those places you used to smoke. Every smokefree day makes a difference to you and your baby
• Try going swimming, it’s great exercise for pregnant women because the water will help to support your bump.
• Cravings are hard, but they only last a few minutes. Try writing down ten possible baby names for a boy and a girl. Craving still bad? Make a list of the worst baby names you’ve ever heard.

If cigarettes tempt you back, the special NHS Pregnancy Smoking Helpline can help you get back on track. Their specialist advisers really do understand what you’re going through and are there to help. Go on, give them a call on 0800 169 9 169.