The majority of people are aware that smoking in pregnancy is harmful to both mum and baby, but as nicotine is addictive, stopping smoking is far easier said than done!
Each cigarette contains over 4000 chemicals, and it is these that can harm your unborn baby. Smoking reduces the amount of oxygen your baby receives, meaning their heart has to work harder. Nicotine, however, is not harmful, and this is why is it completely safe to use nicotine replacement to help you to stop smoking, especially when you are pregnant. Stopping smoking at any stage of the pregnancy, even later on, will always benefit your baby. The results in improving your health are very quick.
There are many benefits of being a non-smoker for both you and your baby. General pregnancy complications are reduced, resulting in a healthier mum and baby. The risk of stillbirth and low birth weight is reduced. Babies who are born to mum’s who smoke are on average 200g lighter than those whose mothers are non-smokers.
Your midwife and other health professionals are always there to help and guide you. People who use nicotine replacement therapy (NRT) to help them give up smoking are far more likely to succeed in the long term. There are many types of NRT including patches, gum, and inhalators.
E-cigarettes, also known as vapes, have become very popular in recent years. They are much less harmful than a real cigarette and allow you to inhale the nicotine in a vapour rather than smoke. They don’t burn carbon monoxide or tar which are both very damaging to your body. There are different types of vape, and they can be refillable or disposable. There are also different strengths of nicotine available. To ensure you are having the correct amount of nicotine in your vape, it is good to seek advice from a specialist vape shop.
There are support services to assist you with your success. Smokefreelife Somerset is our local stop smoking service and is provided by Somerset County Council. This is a free service and offers support at various times of the day and evening. Coaches provide guidance and support including advice on NRT to help with nicotine withdrawal. They are there to help you stop smoking at any time in your life.
Call Smokefreelife Somerset on 01823 356222 or book via their website: Smokefreelife Somerset (healthysomerset.co.uk)