Support from health visitors boosts chances of mothers staying smoke-free after childbirth
Research by the University of East Anglia highlights the success of 'BabyBreathe' programme
A new study from the University of East Anglia (UEA) has revealed that women who receive support from health visitors in addition to smoking relapse prevention advice are more likely to remain smoke-free after giving birth.
The research tested the effectiveness of ‘BabyBreathe’, a programme funded by the National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR), designed to assist women who quit smoking before or during pregnancy to maintain their smoke-free status postnatally.
The BabyBreathe initiative provides one-to-one support from trained health visitors complemented by digital tools, text message support, a dedicated website and app, along with a relapse-prevention kit sent to families after birth.
The research, published in the BMJ, indicates that women who received the BabyBreathe intervention correctly, with support from trained health visitors, were significantly more likely to remain smoke-free 12 months after childbirth compared to those who did not have health visitor support.
Lead researcher Prof Caitlin Notley from UEA’s Norwich Medical School emphasised the importance of continuous support postpartum:
“Quitting smoking during pregnancy is an incredible achievement, but staying smoke-free after a baby is born can be just as challenging."
According to Prof Notley, women of childbearing age who quit and remain non-smoking can significantly lower their risks of smoking-related diseases, benefiting both their own health and the health of their babies by avoiding second-hand smoke exposure.
The study underscores the need for training health visitors in smoking relapse prevention, allowing them to provide sustained support for women who have quit smoking during pregnancy.
Collaboratively conducted by several universities and the Institute of Health Visiting (iHV), the research shows the vital role health visitors play in preventing smoking relapse among new mothers.