Smoking and pregnancy
In West Sussex, 89% of pregnant women are smokefree during their pregnancy, but for the remaining 11% of pregnant women who smoke during pregnancy, it can be a particularly difficult time to stop smoking.
That number is reducing as women access support, but more pregnant women need to know what help there is available and be encouraged to access it.
Top tips for pregnant women going smoke-free:
- Throw out your ashtrays, matches and lighters and anything else you needed to smoke. Put pot pourri where your ashtrays used to be – your home will smell fresher in no time at all.
- Start a savings jar today. Put all the money you’re saving by not smoking in a clear jar every day and watch how fast it grows.
- Tell everyone that your home is a smoke-free zone so you won’t be tempted by people smoking in front of you and your baby won’t be suffering from other people’s smoke.
- Work out when and where you used to smoke so you know when your trigger times are, and think of ways to avoid them. Try sitting somewhere else when you drink your tea or getting up after dinner to go and put some hand cream on.
- If you’re really finding it tough, there are some nicotine replacement therapies that are safe to use in pregnancy and they’re free on prescription for pregnant women. They can really help you beat the cravings. Just ask your stop smoking adviser, GP, midwife, health visitor or pharmacist.
- Quitting smoking can be stressful. Chill out by taking a soak in the bath whenever you can.
- Get as many scan pictures as you can and put them up around the house, especially in those places you used to smoke. Every smoke-free day makes a difference to you and your baby.
- If cigarettes tempt you back, the special NHS Pregnancy Smoking Helpline can help you get back on track. Its specialist advisers really do understand what you’re going through and are there to help. Go on, give them a call on 0800 169 9 169.
- Try going swimming. It’s great exercise for pregnant women because the water will help to support your bump.
- Cravings are hard, but they last only a few minutes. Try writing down ten possible baby names for a boy and a girl. Craving still bad? Make a list of the worst baby names you’ve ever heard.
Support in West Sussex
Specialist support is available in West Sussex for pregnant women and new mums. There are drop-ins, group sessions and one-to-one support. Help is also available in most GP surgeries and lots of pharmacies in West Sussex.
Use the links on the right-hand side of the page to find the right support for you.
Number of pregnant women who smoke: Department of Health - Local Delivery Plan Return (LDPR). More information.
