Ashington Mum Who Lost Her Baby Blames Smoking
Hundreds of mums-to-be in the North East risk losing their baby if they don't quit smoking.
An Ashington mum is pleading with pregnant women to quit smoking - after she believes it led to the loss of her unborn child.
Mum of five Sophie Jones is expecting her sixth baby in four months but three years ago she lost her son Korey to a still birth. Sophie was later told smoking could have been depriving him of oxygen.
“I’ve experienced the worst possible heartache that no parent should have to go through. Losing my baby boy is one of my biggest regrets and continues to haunt me to this day. Instead of tucking Korey up in bed, I go and visit his grave which is just so sad.
“I never fully understood the risks of smoking while pregnant. I just thought it led to a smaller baby. How wrong I was. I would cut down when I fell pregnant, but obviously that wasn’t enough to save my baby. I was told that I’d suffered a still birth because of the damage to my placenta, which I now believe is down to smoking.
It’s as new figures reveal a 10% reduction of North East women smoking at the time they give birth compared to the same period last year.
Despite it being the largest fall in years we’ve still got the worst rates in the country at one in five north east women smoking during pregnancy.
Anti-Smoking Charity Fresh North East are urging mums- to-be to join a one of a kind scheme to help them quit smoking. BabyClear embeds this kind of support into every maternity unit across the region.
Following its launch last year, around 450 midwifery staff and 150 Stop Smoking Service advisors have been given training to discuss the issues with women in a factual, blame-free way, as well as being provided with tools equipment to deliver interventions.
Lisa Surtees, Acting Director of Anti-Smoking Charity Fresh, said:
"Every parent wants to give their child the best possible start in life. For smokers who become pregnant, quitting smoking early in your pregnancy will not only protect your unborn baby from all of the horrible chemicals found in a cigarette, but will also reduce the risk of the unthinkable loss of miscarriage and stillbirth. The earlier that pregnant smokers can quit tobacco, the better it is for them and their baby, but it is never too late to stop.
"Midwives are the best placed health professionals to deliver really important health information to pregnant women across a whole range of topics. They can fully explain how smoking is one of the biggest risks to baby, and highlight the extra care and attention a prematurely born, underdeveloped baby needs.”
If you want to quit, you're up to four times more likely to succeed with NHS support. See your local pharmacy or GP, or call:
Gateshead**, South Tyneside** and Sunderland **NHS **Stop Smoking Service
0800 531 6317.
Northumberland NHS Stop Smoking Service
01670 813135
North Tyneside NHS Stop Smoking Service
0345 2000 101
Newcastle NHS Stop Smoking Service
0191 2292911