Smokefree Pregnancy Team

When you refer for your antenatal care, you are asked to confirm your smoking status. If you have told us that you have recently, or currently smoke tobacco, one of our Smokefree Pregnancy Practitioners will contact you to discuss the support available to become smoke free during your pregnancy.

Meet the team

               Lauren                           Claire

The Smokefree Pregnancy Team are available Monday-Friday (excluding Bank Holidays) between 8am-4pm.

You can contact us by:

E-mail: smokefreepregnancyteam@mcht.nhs.uk

Telephone:

Lauren 07551 076 857

Claire 07385 011 697

If you have any pregnancy related questions or concerns, please contact your Community Midwife. If you have an urgent query and you are over 16 weeks, please contact Maternity Triage 01270 273116If this is an urgent query and you are over 16 weeks, please contact Maternity Triage 01270 273116.

What support is available to have a smokefree pregnancy?

We will support you flexibly throughout your pregnancy, however our programme typically lasts for 12 weeks. As part of the support programme, we offer:

• Accurate information and advice about the best ways of stopping smoking
• Weekly appointments with expert advisors for the first four weeks (face to face or virtual)
• Non-invasive carbon monoxide readings, highlighting any exposure to carbon monoxide
• Nicotine Replacement Therapy (NRT)
• Other support options

The NHS provides a free Personal Quit Plan and a free App to help you stop smoking for good. Free Personal Quit Plan - Quit Smoking - NHS

Did you know that just 7% of people are able to quit smoking  
 using willpower alone? 

What is in a tobacco cigarette?

Cigarettes contain many dangerous chemicals, some occuring naturally in tobacco whilst others are formed as part of the production of cigarettes. When a cigarette is burnt, it releases thousands of chemicals – at least 70 of these chemicals cause cancer.

The risks of smoking during pregnancy

One of the most harmful chemicals that affects a pregnancy is called carbon monoxide. Carbon monoxide affects the amount of oxygen that is available to the baby, which increases the risks of problems in pregnancy including:

• Miscarriage
• Ectopic pregnancy
• Increased risk of neurological conditions such as ADHD/ Autism
• Increased risk of premature birth
• Compromised growth of the baby

The importance of a smokefree home

Second-hand smoke can increase the risk of premature birth, low birth weight and sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS)

Babies who live in a household where someone is a smoker, even if they do not smoke indoors, are more likely to have conditions that affect their breathing

For pregnant women who smoke, living with someone who also smokes will make it significantly harder for them to stop smoking

If you live with a pregnant person, you are entitled to free support to help you to stop smoking. You can find your nearest community provider below.

Did you know that women/ pregnant people who live with a smoker are six times more likely to smoke throughout their pregnancy?