A new maternity initiative has seen a huge rise in pregnant women successfully quitting smoking across Hartlepool and Peterlee.
The new 12-week quit programme sees community midwifery assistants from our Trust visiting mums-to-be in the comfort of their own home to actively support with quitting smoking. Since the programme’s inception in April this year, the team has seen the average successful quit rate rise from 0.5 to 3 women a month – a 500% increase.
Expectant mums across Hartlepool and Peterlee are supported throughout their quit journey from the moment they register their pregnancy. Upon registering, each woman is contacted within 24-hours to offer a 12-week quit plan.
Supported by the Trust’s tobacco dependency treatment service, the midwifery assistants provide expert advice, tailored to women’s individual needs.
We’re here for you
Danielle Stephens is quality, safety and innovation lead for midwifery at the Trust. She said: “Protecting your baby from tobacco smoke is one of the very best things any mum can do to give your child the healthiest start in life possible. We know it can be difficult to stop but our midwifery and tobacco dependency teams are both here to help.
“Since our new programme was implemented in Hartlepool and Peterlee, we have seen a fantastic rise in the numbers of pregnant women quitting.
“Of course, this wouldn’t be possible without the dedication and enthusiasm of our stop smoking and midwifery assistants. They have been exceptional and have really embraced this initiative for the benefit of our communities.”
The 12-week programme sees a range of support offered to women during their pregnancy journey. This includes discussing and advising on pregnancy-safe nicotine replacement therapy options and advice on preventing relapse. They also offer moral support and encouragement.
Feedback from women who have successfully quit smoking has been wholly positive, with mums citing the team’s support as one of their biggest motivators during challenging moments.
The midwifery assistants also empower women’s partners to quit smoking by way of referral to an appropriate stop smoking service. This not only reaps health benefits for themselves, but also reduces the impact of secondhand smoking on mum and baby and offers extra support to their pregnant partner during their quit attempt.
Get support to quit smoking
If you’re an expectant mum, you can seek support in quitting smoking from your midwife. For more information about the benefits of quitting, visit the NHS website.
For more information about quitting smoking at any stage in your life, visit our stop smoking page.