It’s never too late to quit
Whether you’ve just found out you are pregnant or you are nearing you due date, the sooner you quit, the better.
You don’t have to do this alone, Smokefree North Somerset offers free, one-to-one advice, support and encouragement to help you stop smoking. Our specially trained pregnancy advisors can support you and your family to give your baby a healthy start in life.
How does smoking affect your baby?
Every cigarette you smoke contains over 4,000 chemicals, so smoking when you are pregnant harms your unborn baby. Cigarettes restrict the essential oxygen supply to your baby. As a result, their heart must beat harder every time you smoke.
| Miscarriage | Low birth weight |
| Stillbirth | Sudden Infant Death (SIDS) |
| Preterm birth | Increased risk of your child developing asthma |
Visit NHS stop smoking for more info about the risk of smoking while pregnant
Secondhand smoke harms your baby
Breathing in other people’s smoke is known as exposure to second-hand smoke or passive smoking. If you are exposed to second-hand smoke while pregnant this also means your baby is being exposed.
Children breathe faster than adults, which means they take in more of the harmful chemicals in second-hand smoke. They’re even more sensitive to smoke than adults because their bodies are young and still developing.
Research shows that babies and children exposed to a smoky atmosphere have an increased risk of:
| Breathing problems, illnesses, and infections |
Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS)
|
| Reduced Lung Function |
Ear, nose and throat problems, in particular middle ear disease
|
| Increase risk of developing bacterial meningitis, bronchitis, pneumonia and acute respiratory illnesses | Wheezing illnesses and asthma |
How we can support you?
Our specially trained advisors support pregnant women and their families with support throughout your pregnancy. We offer:
- weekly support telephone calls or video chat
- free nicotine replacement therapy (NRT)
- information on using e-cigarettes/vapes
- available support for your partner and family members
Sign up for support or ask your Midwife to refer you.
