- What you can expect if you come to a smoking cessation clinic
The Smoking Cessation Midwife will talk to you about your smoking habits, previous quit attempts, help you to identify the reasons you smoke and the reasons you would like to quit. The midwife will help you to build an individualised plan to quit smoking that best suits you and your family. The aim of your plan is to help you build coping skills and avoid high risk situations for you. The midwife will let you know what to expect when you quit smoking and how best to deal with withdrawal symptoms and cravings. The clinic appointments will focus on helping you to build the confidence and motivation to quit. The appointment is also an opportunity for the midwife to provide you with information and answer any questions you have.
If you’ve tried to quit before, remember that many smokers try a few times before they quit for good. Getting help and support increases your chances of success.
Your appointments will be scheduled approximately once a week for the first 4-6 weeks. Support can then be less frequent depending on your needs. The first appointment takes up to 1 hour, with follow up appointments lasting 15-30 minutes. We will be there for you throughout your stop smoking journey to encourage, help and support you.
- Smoking and Pregnancy
No matter what stage you are at in your pregnancy, it is never too late to stop smoking. We are here to support you before, during and after your pregnancy. We want to help give you and your baby the best chance of a healthy pregnancy and birth.
Did you know that cigarettes contains over 4,000 chemicals? These chemicals reduce the oxygen supply and nutrients that your baby needs to develop and grow. It also increases your risk of having complications in your pregnancy and birth and can impact on your baby’s future health.
Benefits of stopping smoking in pregnancy
Quitting smoking will have immediate benefits for you and your baby.
When you stop smoking:
- Harmful gases including carbon monoxide will be gone from your body and your baby within 24 hours
- the risk of complications in pregnancy and birth are reduced
- you are more likely to have a healthy pregnancy and a healthy baby
- you will reduce the risk of stillbirth
- your baby is less likely to be born early or have the breathing, feeding and health problems associated with prematurity
- your baby is less likely to be born with a low birth weight. Babies of smokers are, on average, 200g (about 8oz) lighter than other babies, which can cause problems during and after labour. For example, your baby would be more likely to have problems keeping warm or to get infections
- you will reduce the risk of sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS), also known as "cot death".
- you are helping your baby’s future health as children whose parents smoke are more likely to suffer from asthma and other serious illnesses that may need hospital treatment.
Plus you will have…
- More money to spend on you and your baby
- More time to spend with your family
- Reduced stress and anxiety
- Better health in the future
Secondhand (passive) smoke
Research shows that if your partner or anyone else who lives with you smokes, their smoke can affect you and your baby before and after their birth. Secondhand smoke can also reduce your baby's birthweight and increase the risk of sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS), also known as "cot death". Babies whose parents smoke are more likely to be admitted to hospital for bronchitis and pneumonia during their first year. You may also find it more difficult to stop if someone around you smokes.
If your partner or family member would like more information about quitting smoking please see www.quit.ie or call the National Smokers’ Quitline 1800 201 203
- Reasons to Quit Smoking
There are lots of good reasons to stop smoking. We all know that smoking is bad for our health – 1 in every 2 smokers worldwide will die of a tobacco-related disease.
The good news is that the health benefits of quitting start right away. You’ll also be protecting your family from secondhand smoke. Smoking won’t dictate your daily routine, and it’ll be easier to keep your home and car clean.
When you stop smoking, you will:
- reduce your risk of life-threatening diseases
- save money
- have better skin, teeth and hair
- have nicer smelling clothes
- improve the air quality in your home
- be a good role model for your family and friends
- Preparing to Quit
While you are thinking about quitting why not try this quick test to see how much you want to quit?
It’s really simple write down a list of what you like about smoking or what is good about smoking. Then write a list of what you don’t like about smoking or what is bad about smoking. Compare the two; if the cons outweigh the pros then maybe it’s time to give quitting a go!
- Health Benefits of Stopping Smoking
After 20 minutes
Your circulation will improve, and your blood pressure and heart rate will get lower. This immediately reduces your risk of a heart attack.
After 8 hours
The nicotine and carbon monoxide levels in your blood go down, and the oxygen level rises.
After 48 hours
The nicotine and carbon monoxide have left your body. Your sense of smell and taste will start to improve.
After 72 hours
Your breathing will improve and your energy levels will increase.
After 2-3 months
Your lung capacity could increase by up to 30%.
After 1 year
Your chance of having a heart attack drops by half.
After 5 years
The risk of smoking-related cancers is greatly reduced.
After 10 years
The risk of lung cancer is reduced by half.
After 15 years
The risk of having a heart attack is the same as a non-smoker.
- Further Information and Useful Links
Visit www.quit.ie for lots of information and support
Help to stop smoking
Visit the HSE QUIT Facebook or twitter page for further support from fellow quitters.
https://m.facebook.com/HSEquit/
https://twitter.com/hsequitteam?lang=en
Call the National Smokers’ Quitline on 1800 201 203
Information leaflets
Smoking and Pregnancy:
https://www.healthpromotion.ie/hp-files/docs/HQS01013.pdf
Smoke Free Home:
https://www.healthpromotion.ie/hp-files/docs/HPM00725.pdf
You can Quit. We Can Help:
https://www.healthpromotion.ie/hp-files/docs/HQS00346.pdf
- GP Referral Information
Recommendations for pregnant women presenting who are smoking or have recently quit smoking and wish to attend The National Maternity Hospital:
On presentation to the GP clinic:
- Ask: the patient about her smoking status “Do you Smoke?“
- Advise: Provide clear, strong advice to stop smoking with personalised messages. “Stopping smoking is the single most important thing that you can do for your baby’s health. Help is available and many women have found this useful”
- Act/Arrange: “We know that the best way to stop smoking is with the help of a trained stop smoking practitioner. The National Maternity Hospital have a stop smoking support service that many pregnant women have found very useful-it is part of routine care that we put you in touch with them”.
If you have any queries regarding pregnancy and smoking or wish to refer someone, please contact the Smoking Cessation Service
Tel: 086 0654818
Email: orla.bowe@nmh.ie
Click here to download referral form.