Helping Pregnant Smokers Quit

What are the risks?

According to the U.S. Surgeon General, pregnant women who smoke increase their risks of the following:

• Premature delivery because of ruptured membranes.
• Placenta separating from the uterus, also called abruptio placentae.
• Abnormal placenta placement, causing danger of massive hemorrhaging in mother during deliver.
• Low birth weight babies, which are associated with being at greater risk for neonatal, perinatal and infant death.
• Sudden infant death syndrome.

How does the Great Start Quitline work?

When a woman calls 1-866-66-START, she is immediately greeted by a friendly voice on the other end of the line. At that point, the smoker can ask for information about quitting or they can immediately get help to quit smoking. She will talk to a trained operator who will help her set a quit date and learn what her triggers are for smoking. She will immediately be sent patient information materials.

Next, the woman can set up an appointment to talk with a counselor. The Great Start Quitline allows for about six to eight separate telephone sessions with the same counselor to discuss all aspects of quitting and to help a woman with her quit attempt. Counseling is provided in both English and in Spanish.

Tips for smokers

Smoke-Free Families provides some key tips for pregnant smokers who want to quit.

• Be ready to quit.
  • Start by thinking about quitting.
  • Set a date to quit.
  • Throw away all cigarettes and smoking accessories, including ashtrays and lighters.
  • Make your home and your car smoke-free zones.
• Surround yourself with supportive and encouraging people.
  • Tell the people you know - your family, friends and coworkers - that you have decided to quit smoking.
  • Ask people to refrain from smoking when you are around.
  • Speak with former smokers who also made the decision to quit when they were pregnant.
  • Tell your doctor or midwife about your decision to quit smoking.
• Make lifestyle changes.
  • Alter your daily routine.
  • Reward yourself by doing something enjoyable each day.
  • Practice relaxation techniques.
  • Find other ways to distract your mouth, hands and mind when you find yourself desiring a cigarette.
  • Remember the important reasons why you decided to quit smoking.
• Realize that you may "slip up."
  • Even if you have a "slip" and smoke a cigarette, you can still quit again.
  • Understand that you only made a mistake, and you can try again.
  • Make a new date to quit smoking.
  • Remember the important reasons why you decided to quit smoking.

For additional information, please go to:

Smoke-Free Families

The American Legacy Foundation

Centers for Disease Control Web site. Women and Smoking: A Report of the Surgeon General - 2001. U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. You can quit smoking. Public Health Service. ISSN: 1530-6402.

This article was reviewed and updated June 2007.