Protecting a mother and baby’s health from tobacco smoke is one of the best ways to give newborns a healthy start in life.
NHS Lanarkshire’s Quit Your Way service offers free, specialist support to pregnant women, their partners and families who want to quit smoking.
Dedicated advisers work with pregnant women to provide tailored support, encouragement and free nicotine replacement therapy (NRT) which are safe during pregnancy, as well as one-to-one video or phone appointments.
There are many benefits of stopping smoking during pregnancy including:
- reduced risk of having a miscarriage or the baby being stillborn
- reduced risk of sudden unexpected death in infancy (SUDI), previously known as cot death
- saving money – just a month of not smoking could save around £200
Alexandra Usurelu from Motherwell, who successfully quit smoking with support from NHS Lanarkshire’s Quit Your Way service, commented: “There were 3 reasons I wanted to quit smoking, first of all because I was pregnant and my baby could be born smaller, secondly because cigarettes are expensive and third, because I wanted to be healthier.
“I didn’t smoke during my first pregnancy, but after I had my baby I started smoking again because of stress. I found out about Quit Your Way through my midwife during my second pregnancy and I’ve now been smoke-free for over 12 months since having my baby.
“I’m originally from Poland, so if English isn’t your first language like me, everything is arranged with an interpreter. From all my heart I’d recommend this service to everyone.
“It was a very nice experience and great result for my health and that of my children.”
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 Quit Your Way.
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. Find your nearest community pharmacy.
