NHS Lanarkshire is offering specialist support to pregnant women and their partners and families who want to quit smoking.
Protecting a mother and baby’s health from tobacco smoke is one of the best ways to give newborns a healthy start in life.
Quit Your Way is a free stop smoking service provided by NHS Lanarkshire, where trained and friendly advisers can be contacted for support to quit smoking.
Dedicated advisers work with pregnant women to provide specialist support, encouragement and nicotine replacement therapy (NRT) which are safe during pregnancy, as well as one-to-one video or phone appointments.
Kirsty Sweeney from Blantyre, who quit smoking through the service when she found out she was pregnant, said: “Falling pregnant made me decide to give up smoking, I had tried lots of times previously but my baby provided me with the motivation I needed.
“I received telephone support and my NRT products were delivered to my house. My Quit Your Way nurse was the main positive aspect, she was fabulous and I knew she was there for me anytime at the other end of the telephone. I could chat to her about anything.
“I also noticed a massive difference in my finances which was really positive.
“It’s been over a year since I had my baby boy, Jack, and I feel confident I will not return to smoking. I am an older Mum so I want to be able to keep up with Jack and I am now really concerned about the health aspects as both me and Jack get older.”
Tracy Henderson, health improvement senior – tobacco control and pregnancy, NHS Lanarkshire, said: “Whether you’ve just found out you’re expecting or further along your pregnancy journey, our specialist advisers will support and empower you to quit smoking.
“We understand it can be hard to tell your midwife you smoke; these are natural worries but we make sure all our clients feel safe, secure and at ease. It’s never too late to try and stop smoking, no matter how far along in the pregnancy.
“Second-hand smoke can also affect mother and baby before and after birth, support and information is available for partners and family members of the Mum-to-be too.
“Quitting smoking is achievable, and the health benefits to baby and mother can be noticed as soon as the first 24-hours of quitting.”
Quit Your Way is a free NHS stop smoking service. To find out more about specialist pregnancy support, second-hand smoke or more information on stop smoking services, call the Quit Your Way helpline service on 0800 84 84 84 or visit QuitYourWay.scot.
Quit Your Way can be contacted Monday – Friday from 9am until 5pm.
You can also visit your local Community Pharmacy for FREE stop smoking support.
