As a smoker you are constantly being reminded of the high risks to your health, and that is a choice that you make. But whether you are planning to get pregnant, are pregnant or have a new born baby you have the responsibility to consider these risks very carefully as smoking will affect your unborn baby.

If you are a smoker it's important to try and stop as soon as you find out you're pregnant. There's lots of help and support out there to help you give up, and you and your baby will notice the benefits immediately.

Advantages to giving up

• Smoking while pregnant not only damages your own health, but can also harm your baby. It has been linked to a variety of health problems including premature birth, low birth weight, cot death, miscarriage, and breathing problems/wheezing in the first six months of life.

• If you stop smoking during pregnancy, you will have less morning sickness and fewer complications.
• If you're trying to give up smoking, also encourage those around you to do the same. Second hand smoke contains poisonous gases, tar and thousands of toxic chemicals which are harmful to you and your baby's health. The important role of partners, linked below, provides information on how partners can also help by giving up smoking.

Some links that might be able to help you to quit

go smokefree website - www.gosmokefree.nhs.uk.

You can support support for Dads and about fertility and Protecting children from secondhand smoke, and advice on Smoking and pregnancy. These links will take you to the - NHS website

Getting Support

Only you can decide to quit. From there on you can get help and support to stay a non-smoker.

You could save the money you used to buy cigarettes and you may be surprised what you can buy for you and your new baby.

The NHS Pregnancy Smoking Helpline 0800 169 9 169 is a confidential support service. A specially trained person will answer your call and will listen to your needs, suggest different ways of giving up smoking, and can send you a free information pack.

Local NHS Stop Smoking Services are available in your area. Special help is available for pregnant mums and their partners who are finding it difficult to give up. To find out where your local service is, call the NHS Pregnancy Smoking Helpline on 0800 169 9 169 or visit the Givingupsmoking website.