New support sessions to help pregnant Dorset women quit smoking
Support's being offered weekly at Canford Heath
A new peer support group's being set up in Dorset, to help pregnant women and those who've recently given birth to quit smoking.
Weekly sessions are being held by public health midwives from St Mary's Maternity Unit in Poole for those thinking of stopping, or who are already on their journey.
The NHS website says secondhand smoke, breathed in by babies in the womb contains more than 4,000 chemicals.
Carbon monoxide and other harmful toxins travel through a mother's bloodstream, through the placenta and into the baby's body.
That causes the baby to struggles for oxygen and could affect their development.
Beth Fletcher is one of the University Hospital midwives involved with the service. She said:
"We’re proud to be able to provide this new support group which has been set up to give pregnant or new parents the opportunity to share their experiences of their quit journeys, and support each other in being smoke free.
“Anyone who is thinking of quitting, is currently quitting, or has quit in pregnancy, is welcome to join and share their story. We’ll also help people you live with to help quit, so bring them along too. You are far more likely to quit with support, and our peer support group will provide that."
Sessions will take place every Friday at 10.30am, starting from 8th March, at Canford Heath Outreach Centre, Culliford Crescent, Poole, BH17 9DW.