Help Me Quit for Baby – Smoking in Pregnancy
Many women find it difficult to stop smoking, and we recognise just how challenging this can be, but it is one of the most important things you can do to improve your baby’s health, growth and development. It is also the single most important thing that you can do to improve your own long-term health.
Help Me Quit for Baby Service
Here in Cwm Taf Morgannwg Health Board, we are dedicated to supporting you to maximise the health and wellbeing of you, your baby and your family through the Help Me Quit for Baby Service.
We have dedicated FREE NHS support and treatment provided by one of our fully trained Maternity Support Workers, in your own home or a clinic area near you!
Please ask your midwife for more information about the Help Me Quit for Baby Service or call your maternity support worker:
- Rhondda and Taff: 07900915235
- Cynon and Merthyr: 07977800372
- Bridgend: 07786173770
Why is smoking in pregnancy harmful to me and my baby?
Just as smoking is bad for you, babies in the womb can be harmed by tobacco smoke because it reduces the amount of oxygen and nutrients that pass through the placenta from you to your baby.
Why Quit Smoking?
There are over 4,000 chemicals in cigarettes. Many of these are poisonous and harm you and your unborn baby. The ood news is that if you stop smoking:
- Your baby will benefit straight away
- You are more likely to have a healthier pregnancy and a healthier baby
- You will reduce the risk of stillbirth and sudden infant death syndrome (cot death)
- Your baby is less likely to be born early
- Your baby is more likely to be born at a healthy weight and be fully developed
- Your child will have a lower risk of ADHD
- You won’t have to leave your newborn alone while you smoke
When should I quit?
Stopping smoking early in your pregnancy gives your baby the best start. However, it is never too late to quit. Help Me Quit for Baby can support you at every stage of your pregnancy and after you give birth.
What is Carbon Monoxide monitoring?
Carbon Monoxide is a poisonous and odourless gas that is breathed in through tobacco smoke. It takes the place of oxygen that the baby needs to develop. Carbon Monoxide levels are measured as part of routine maternity care. You will be asked to breathe into a cardboard tube attached to a hand-held monitor.
Can my family and friends join in?
The people living with you at home and who you see regularly have an important role in supporting your smoke free journey. It will be easier for you to stop smoking and stay smoke free with their help. Here are some things they could do to support you:
- Quit smoking at the same time as you
- Make your home smoke free by only smoking outside and away from you
- Help to create new healthy habits, like going for a walk together
Free NHS stop smoking support is available from Help Me Quit for your family and friends. Call 0800 085 2219 or visit www.helpmequit.wales to access support to quit.
What about vaping or e-cigarettes?
The Help Me Quit for Baby service can support people who would like to stop vaping or using e-cigarettes
Supporting Documents
Stopping smoking reduces all the risks described above.
Help Me Quit
What is Help Me Quit?
Help Me Quit is a free specialist NHS service that provides support for smokers who want help to give up smoking. Giving up smoking can be very difficult, with the support of Help Me Quit people are more likely to successfully quit. Research has shown that people are four times more likely to quit smoking with support from Help Me Quit than going it alone.
Help Me Quit provides support to people who want to quit smoking by offering free one to one support from a personal advisor and using stop smoking medications worth up to £250.
You can self-refer to the service by:
- Calling 0800 085 2219
- Text "HMQ" to 80818
- Requesting a call back through Help Me Quit | Stop Smoking Services In Wales
