WEDNESDAY, 22 JULY, 2020

For Immediate release:

New service to help pregnant women quit smoking

NHS Tayside’s maternity services are now offering a range of support to help pregnant women stop smoking.

Midwives can provide women with nicotine replacement therapy (NRT) starter packs and can also refer them for additional smoking cessation support, should they require more help.

This new service is available to pregnant woman from as early as their first contact with maternity services, right through to birth and the postnatal period.

Previously, midwives would refer women to the public health smoking cessation team, which would meet with the patient and then refer them to their local pharmacy for NRT. This meant women were being seen by two services before getting access to the support they needed. The new service allows midwives to provide pregnant women with NRT straightaway.

Smoking during pregnancy can significantly affect the health of woman and baby, increasing the chance of miscarriage, reduced growth, premature birth, stillbirth and sudden infant death.

Senior charge midwife, Stephanie Gardner said, “We are committed to helping pregnant women to make informed choices about their health and wellbeing.

“There is evidence that women who use a midwife facilitated smoking cessation service are more likely to stop smoking during pregnancy and beyond.

“The new service would not have been possible without the help of our pharmacy team which has helped us to get the service up and running.”

Pregnant women are encouraged to speak to their midwife for further information about the smoking cessation service.

Contact:

Cara Longmuir

NHS Tayside Communications

(01382) 740716