Commenting on the latest statistics on smoking in pregnancy released today by the Health and Social Care Information Centre, Dr Janine Stockdale, research fellow at the Royal College of Midwives, said: “I am pleased to see the rates of smoking in pregnancy falling but the levels remain worryingly high. Smoking in pregnancy can have serious and long term effects on the developing baby, and the effects on the smoker themselves are well documented and supported by mountains of evidence.
“However we know that quitting smoking is no easier for a pregnant woman, than it is for anyone else. So there are two key health messages related to this evidence. If you are a woman and haven’t lit up that first cigarette, don’t. It is easier to not begin smoking at all than it is to stop when you are pregnant. Also if you are pregnant now and know the damage that your smoking can do to you and your baby, then please take action.
“We advise women to talk to their midwife because they will support them in their decision to quit, offer advice and put them in contact with other services that are designed to help them be successful.”
For more information contact the RCM Press Office on 020 7312 3456 pressofficer@rcm.org.uk.
Written by The Royal College of Midwives
Supplied by Health4Media
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