Airdrie & Coatbridge Advertiser
Quit smoking support for pregnant women
Pregnant women in Monklands who smoke are being given additional support to quit from the local health board.
And the help from NHS Lanarkshire extends to families too as they try to ensure newborns are given a healthy start in life.
Quit Your Way is a free stop smoking service where trained advisers can be contacted for support.
The dedicated health workers are on hand to provide specialist help, encouragement and nicotine replacement therapy.
They are even available to offer one-to-one video or phone appointments – something Kirsty Sweeney found invaluable.
The Lanarkshire mum told the Advertiser: “Falling pregnant made me decide to give up smoking.
“I had tried lots of times previously, but my baby provided me with the motivation I needed.
“I received telephone support and my NRT products were delivered to my house.
“My Quit Your Way nurse was the main positive aspect; she was fabulous and I knew she was there for me any time at the other end of the telephone.
“I could chat to her about anything.”
As well as the welldocumented hazards of smoking for mother and child, secondhand smoke can also be harmful – before and after birth.
And the importance of stopping can be noticed as soon as the first 24-hours of quitting, with marked health benefits to baby and mother in that short period.
Thankfully, Tracy Henderson, health improvement senior for tobacco control and pregnancy, and her team are on hand to help.
She told us: “Whether you’ve just found out you’re expecting or further along your pregnancy journey, our specialist advisers will support and empower you to quit smoking.
“We understand it can be hard to tell your midwife you smoke – these are natural worries, but we make sure all our clients feel safe, secure and at ease.
“It’s never too late to try and
stop smoking, no matter how far along in the pregnancy.”
Mum Kirsty said she also noticed a “massive difference” in her finances and said she is delighted she can now keep up
with her baby boy, Jack.
Quit Your Way is a free service with information available on its 0800 84 84 84 helpline or online; it can be contacted Monday-tofriday from 9am until 5pm.