Quitting smoking is the best thing you can do for your baby

Did you know that quitting smoking is the most important thing you can do for your baby?

If you are pregnant and smoke yourself, or live with someone who smokes around you, your baby is exposed to a number of dangerous chemicals.

Your baby may receive a restriction in the amount of oxygen it needs, causing its heart to have to beat harder. Smoking can cause a greater risk of miscarriage and still birth and a lower birth weight.

After they are born, your baby is more at risk of ear infections and asthma. Plus they are more likely to become a smoker themselves.

Historically in Torbay we have had high rates of smoking during pregnancy. Five years ago more than 1 in 5 pregnant women were smokers and Torbay was in the top ten areas in the country with this danger to health.

The latest figures however show a significant improvement with the number of pregnant women continuing to smoke dropping to around 15%. This is the biggest improvement in the South West and reflects the efforts of the Midwifery Services and the Specialist Stop Smoking service who have worked tirelessly to support pregnant women to quit.

So if you, or your partner, are a smoker and you would like to stop for the benefit of both your health and that of your unborn baby, you can expect to receive some great support. You can speak to your midwife or go straight to the Stop Smoking team on 01803 299 160.