Pregnant Smokers

Stopping smoking is the single most important thing you can do to protect your health.  If you’re pregnant, or even thinking about getting pregnant, giving up will help protect your baby’s health too.
Giving up smoking ‘at any stage’ in your pregnancy is good for you and your baby – it’s never too late to quit.  As soon as you stop, the chemicals will start to clear from your body and your baby will get more oxygen.  So give yourself and your baby a head start by ‘giving up for good’.

Harmful effects of smoking on you unborn baby:
Smoking increases the risk of:        

• Miscarriage 25%
• Still Birth 40%
• Death of the newborn 40%
• Low Birth Weight 300%
• Premature Birth 200%

  Each year in the UK Smoking accounts for:

• At least 5000 miscarriages – at least 130 in Northern Ireland
• At least 14,000 low birth weight babies – up to 420 in Northern Ireland
• Up to 400 stillbirths
• Up to 260 deaths in the first four weeks of life.

In addition to increasing the mother’s risk of potentially serious complications, smoking during pregnancy is the largest preventable cause of ill health and death in young babies and infants.
These complications include:

• Pregnancy complications
• Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SID), also known as cot death
• Babies exposed to second hand smoke after birth are at twice the risk of SID
• Babies whose mothers smoked before and after birth are at three to four time’s greater risk of SID.
• Mothers smoking during pregnancy reduce their babies’ lung function.

Examples of a ‘smoking in pregnancy’ complications are:

Low Birth Weight:
Smoking cuts down the amount of oxygen and nutrients that get to the baby through the placenta.  Your baby needs these to grow and develop, so babies of women, who smoke, tend to be smaller than they ought to be.
If you smoke all through your pregnancy, on average your baby will be almost half a pound lighter than if you’d been a non-smoker.  It may not sound like much but size is critical.  Smaller babies are at risk of infections and other health problems.
Don’t be misled into thinking a smaller baby means an easier delivery.  The baby’s head won’t be much smaller, therefore the delivery will require the same amount effort on your part.

Premature Babies:
Smoking in pregnancy can lead to premature births.  Common problems associated with premature babies are, Respiratory Distress Syndrome, difficulty in feeding and a greater likelihood of contracting jaundice. 
The smaller and less mature the premature baby is at birth, the greater will be its problems in the long run.  These babies can develop cerebral palsy, mental retardation, learning disorders, and vision, speech and hearing problems.

GIVING UP

Expectant Fathers/Partners:

• Many women find it’s a great help if their partner stops at the same time as they do.  So remind your partner that passive smoking can also be harmful to both you and your unborn child.
• The great advantage of both motivated partners stopping is that you can give each other encouragement and support.   You’ll both feel you’re doing something positive to ensure the best possible health for your baby. 

Don’t forget to avail of free cessation support and Nicotine Replacement Therapy (NRT), to have a more successful chance of quitting.

WHERE TO FIND ADVICE/HELP?

Health Professionals:
The people who are providing your antenatal care can help you.  Let them know as soon as you can that you want to stop smoking.  Your doctor, midwife, practice nurse, health visitor or pharmacist can all offer you advice and support while you are giving up smoking.

Smokers Helpline:
Call any day between 12 noon and 10pm, you can phone the Northern Ireland Smokers Helpline on 0800 85 85 85.  Calls are free and the helpline staff are trained to provide friendly help and advice to smokers who want to stop.

Stop Smoking Groups:
The helpline staff will also be able to tell you about any special services in your local area for helping smokers stop.  These free services have specially trained staff who can advise you and are available across the Northern Health and Social Services Board.
For further info:
Refer to ‘Cessation Services’ on this website.

Quit: Independent Charity helping people stop smoking
0800 00 22 00
9am-9pm Daily
www.quit.org.uk

UK Wide NHS Go Smokefree       
0800 169 0 169
7am-11pm Daily
www.gosmokefree.co.uk