Smoking in pregnancy to be highlighted in NHS campaign

February 4, 2009 by Baby Chums  
Filed under: Baby Health, Pregnancy

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Female smokers who are pregnant and experience feelings of shame in seeking help to quit the habit are about to be targeted by a UK government NHS campaign.

A poll conducted by the NHS discovered approximately 20 percent of women, around 100,000 at any point in time smoke during their pregnancy.

“Smokefree” from the NHS is running a series of advertisements about the impact of smoking during pregnancy on the development of babies hearts.

Almost a third of these women said they would seek help but were fearful of being judged by their healthcare professional or midwife.

Leading the new campaign is Dr Miriam Stoppard, who said: “Pregnancy can be a particularly difficult time to stop smoking, and rather than stigmatising these women, we should be guiding them to their local NHS Stop Smoking Service for expert advice and support to help them quit.”

Here are six great reasons to get help:

• Females who smoke run a much higher risk of miscarriage.

• Smokers are more likely to develop complications in pregnancy and labour, including bleeding, premature detachment of the placenta and premature rupture of the membranes.

• Studies suggest there may be a link between smoking and ectopic pregnancy. This is a life threatening condition where an egg is fertilised outside the womb. This can reduce the chance of becoming pregnant again.

• Smoking during pregnancy increases the risk of birth defects.

• Smokers are three times more likely to have smaller babies. Around 200g lighter on average than those born to non-smokers.

• Babies are a third more likely to be still born or die within the first week if born to smokers.

For help in stopping smoking during pregnancy you can call the NHS Helpline number on:

0800 1699 169.

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