Recent figures have revealed a significant reduction in the number of women smoking during pregnancy.

New Worcestershire data shows that the figure has plummeted to just nine per cent, and is the largest year-on-year decrease seen in the county over the last seven years.

This decrease follows the establishment of the Stop Smoking in Pregnancy Service in the county.

 

 

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This collaborative effort involves the Public Health team and community midwifery services.

To better manage this, additional public health midwives have been employed in the county.

Their role extends beyond managing smoking, as they also work towards formulating various strategies to enhance health and wellbeing during pregnancy, with a particular focus on lowering smoking rates.

Councillor Karen May, of Worcestershire County Council, said: "It’s great to see these smoking rates fall.

"The Public Health team at the County Council and NHS colleagues work incredibly hard to help people quit.

"We need to keep working to reduce the smoking rates further.

"Quitting smoking is crucial for a healthy pregnancy and for the ongoing of health of both mothers and children.”

Providing a practical solution to the crisis, a team of dedicated advisors offer personalised one-to-one support and free nicotine replacement therapy.

This support extends not just to pregnant women, but anyone living in their household.

A mother who recently benefitted from the system, said: "The support I had was great.

"I had a check-up around every other week and was always in contact if I ever needed anything in between appointments.

"Having the carbon monoxide test really kept me on the right track and I always wanted to beat my levels from the time before.

"The range of items they provided to aid me in quitting was great and really helped me, and reduced how much I craved a cigarette."

Anyone who is pregnant, and lives in Worcestershire or receives midwifery care in the county can access the aid.

Councillor May added: "After a baby has been born, it’s a whole new world for a family.

"It’s a wonderful time but every new parent will tell you it‘s also very tiring, so it can be tempting to smoke again.

"That’s why we support mums, partners and anyone who lives in the household to stop smoking for good until a child is three years old."