National Maternity Voices Partnership’s ‘Smoke Free Babies’ Project
HIWM is working with the National Maternity Voices Partnership on a project, ‘Smoke Free Babies’, to understand the lived experience of women who face inequalities and have smoked during pregnancy. Also, to explore their experience of interacting with the local smoking cessation services that they may have accessed. The project is currently in the early stages and longer term will continue to a co-design project with the women and the smoking cessation healthcare professionals within our region. It will also contribute towards the HIWM’s work in addressing health inequalities across our region.
Smoking is the single most modifiable risk factor for adverse outcomes in pregnancy. Poor outcomes due to smoking can have a devastating effect on women and families. It has also been shown to cost NHS England approximately £21 million each year in secondary care costs. Smoke Free Babies aims to understand and improve the experience of women who smoke during pregnancy and contribute towards the national ambition of reducing smoking in pregnancy.