Our best start in life team is here to support you to a smoke free pregnancy and beyond.
Stopping smoking is one of the best things you can do for you and your baby. We know pregnancy can be a stressful time, and we’re here to support you every step of the way.
How we can help you to stop smoking
We offer
- Support from a specialist advisor
- Friendly, non-judgement help
- Free Nicotine replacement therapy and behavioural support to aid your quit
We understand that quitting is not easy for many people, we are here to support you throughout your pregnancy and up to 12 weeks after.
National Smokefree Pregnancy Incentive Scheme
It was launched to help pregnant people quit smoking and to stary smokefree during and after pregnancy.
The scheme recognises the significant health risks associated with smoking including and not exclusive to
- Miscarriage
- Still birth
- Premature birth
- Birth abnormalities
- Sudden infant death
To be eligible you must be
Smoking
Stopped smoking within the last 14 days
Are between 6 and 31+6 weeks pregnant
Vouchers
Vouchers are issued at set key points, and receiving these vouchers is dependent on:
- Setting a quit date
- Attending all stop smoking appointments
- Remaining smokefree after the quit date
Your maternity tobacco dependence advisor (TDA) can discuss this further with you and make the referral to the scheme.
The incentive scheme now supports a significant other, this can be a partner, family member or friend to quit smoking alongside you during your pregnancy.
Why quit?
Smoking in pregnancy complications may include bleeding, detachment of the placenta and ectopic pregnancy. The risk of miscarriage and premature birth is also greater.
Smoking in pregnancy increases the risk of stillbirth by 47%. It doubles the risk of infant death within the first week of life and there is a much higher risk of sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS) three times higher.
On average babies born to women who smoke have low birth weights and are prone to illness and infections.
Smoking is strongly linked to anomalies or defects, these include cleft lip/palate, heart defeats, limb defects such as club foot, skull defects and serious issues like gastroschisis.
On average children born to smokers are also smaller, have lower achievements in reading and maths. They also have a increased risk of asthma, chronic coughs, ear infections and SIDS.
Where we’re based
We run a smoke free clinic on a Monday afternoon at The James Cook University Hospital in Middlesbrough.
We also offer appointments at your home, Friarage Hospital, Low Grange Health Village and some family hubs, we can even attend your place of work.