Help to get smoke-free for mums-to-be
NHS Sheffield’s Stop Smoking Service is reaching out to pregnant smokers in the antenatal clinic at Sheffield Teaching Hospitals’ Jessop Wing.
All pregnant women in the antenatal waiting area are given the opportunity to take a carbon monoxide test – whether they smoke or not. The simple test highlights the damaging effects smoking and passive smoking has on the expectant mum and her baby.
In the first 6 weeks, 70 pregnant smokers were advised by the NHS Sheffield Stop Smoking Service, along with 30 dads-to-be who were also offered the free carbon monoxide test.
Specialist stop smoking midwives, Pam Hancock and Jane Grice trained support workers in the antenatal clinic – who offer information about the dangers of smoking in pregnancy and to encourage pregnant women and relatives to join the quit programme.
Pam, midwife of 30 years said: “Many of the women we see don’t realise they are at risk. The carbon monoxide results often come as a shock, especially to those who don’t smoke – it’s a very dangerous gas that get’s into your blood stream and cuts down the oxygen reaching your baby. Passive smoking still affects the baby’s growth and development and a baby living in a smoky environment is at a higher risk of cot death.”
“It is so important for mums-to-be to be aware that smoking is linked to miscarriage, bleeding, nausea and even still-birth. Your baby is more likely to be born premature, have a low birth weight and suffer with breathing problems and wheezing.”
Joanna Oliver, 20, from Shiregreen is 20 weeks pregnant. Thanks to the NHS Stop Smoking Service – she has now been smoke-free for 5 weeks.
Now aware of the dangers of passive smoking to the unborn child – Joanna’s brother Stephan, is also trying to kick the habit after being shocked by his ‘off the chart’ carbon monoxide reading.
“My baby is so much more important than cigarettes,” said Joanna. “I feel fresher when I wake up in the morning and it feels good to know that my baby is not being damaged by the smoke.”
“I live with my brother so I’m really glad that he has decided to quit as well. He is getting help from the nicotine replacement patches but I preferred to quit using my willpower – everyone is different but until you talk to the advisors, you don’t realise just how bad it is for you.”
Michelle Eaton, NHS Sheffield Stop Smoking Support worker at Jessop’s wing, supported Joanna throughout the first 4 weeks of quitting. “We offer free advice, counselling and nicotine replacement therapy. We are in touch with the girls so they can contact us whenever they need to.
“Within 24 hours, all carbon monoxide is cleared from the body – so by quitting you can benefit you and your baby almost straight away.”
(27/01/09)
