Recite me link

Protecting your baby from tobacco smoke is one of the best things you can do to give your child a healthy start in life. It can be difficult to stop smoking, but it’s never too late to quit.

Stopping smoking will help both you and your baby immediately. Harmful gases, such as carbon monoxide, and other damaging chemicals will clear from your body. When you stop smoking:

  • you will reduce the risk of complications in pregnancy and birth
  • you are more likely to have a healthier pregnancy and a healthier baby
  • you will reduce the risk of stillbirth
  • your baby is less likely to be born too early and have to face the additional breathing, feeding and health problems that often go with being premature
  • your baby is less likely to be born underweight: babies of women who smoke are, on average, 200g (about 8oz) lighter than other babies, which can cause problems during and after labour. For example they are more likely to have a problem keeping warm and are more prone to infection
  • you will reduce the risk of cot death, also known as sudden infant death syndrome 

Our team of specially trained Smokefree Pregnancy Advisors are available to offer support and guidance for giving up smoking during your pregnancy. They can be contacted by emailing mtw-tr.smokefreematernity@nhs.net.

You can also visit the Smokefree website for more information about how to quit smoking.