Giving up smoking is the best thing anyone can do for their health and giving up smoking in pregnancy is the best thing to do for a baby’s health.
North Tyneside’s 0-19 Children’s Public Health Service has signed up to a national research project aiming at helping women who quit smoking during pregnancy to stay smoke-free.
Of the women who smoke before pregnancy and quit during, around half return to smoking after their baby is born. Delivered by Health Visitors and the Vulnerable Parent Midwife in North Tyneside, BabyBreathe™ will test a package of more in-depth support to assess its effectiveness in helping new parents to quit and maintain their no smoking status.
Becky Crow, Health Visiting Team Lead, said: “The 0-19 service in North Tyneside has signed up to a new and exciting research pilot which aims to help pregnant mams to stop smoking during pregnancy and helps them to remain smoke free once their baby is born.
“The pilot is called ‘BabyBreathe™’ and it’s a comprehensive package of support for local women. Trained Health Visitors will help to identify women interested in taking part in the research and when signed up, residents will receive BabyBreathe™ support through the antenatal period and beyond, to encourage them to stay smoke-free.”
The team behind the study has reviewed the existing research on the topic, and chatted with NHS staff and women and their partners (who quit smoking during pregnancy) to develop the programme which includes a mixed approach of online support, guidance on alternatives to cigarettes (as a way to avoid returning to smoking), and the introduction of self-rewards. This will all be in addition to the support already given by the health visiting team.
“As a Public Health Nurse, one of my main roles is promoting and protecting the health of families I work with. I am therefore very excited that North Tyneside is taking part in this research study. Smoking not only raises a baby's risk for birth defects and miscarriage, but significantly increases the risk of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS).
“It can be difficult to stop smoking, but it's never too late to quit and this pilot aims to help women quit with that extra bit of support,” Becky concluded.
Babies exposed to 'second hand smoke' have an increased risk of cot death, and breathing and ear problems, they are also more likely to become smokers themselves in later life. By offering support in the antenatal and postpartum period the aim is to keep North Tyneside mams smoke-free long term.
Cllr Karen Clark, cabinet member for Public Health and Wellbeing, said: “Supporting mams to quit smoking and ensuring babies have the best and healthiest start in life is a priority for us, so we’re delighted to be taking part in this pilot. I’d really encourage those interested in signing up to contact our Health Visiting team.”
If you think you may be eligible for BabyBreathe™ and are interested in signing up, contact your Health Visiting team:
- Those living in Shiremoor, Killingworth, Dudley, Longbenton or surrounding areas call 0191 643 8297
- Those living in North Shields, Preston, Chirton or surrounding areas call 0191 643 8241
- Those living in Wallsend, Howdon, Battle Hill or surrounding areas call 0191 643 8861
- Those living in Whitley Bay, Tynemouth, or surrounding areas call 0191 643 8808
The study is being led by the University of East Anglia in conjunction with St George’s University of London, The University of Edinburgh, University of Stirling, The Institute of Health Visiting and the University of Leicester. It is being funded by the National Institute for Health Research.
