Louise Samuel, pregnancy advisor
Smoking is bad for you, your partner – and especially for your baby. The truth is that every cigarette you smoke harms your baby. Bexley has a specialist stop smoking advisor – Louise – who is able to tailor the service to meet your needs.
Stopping smoking during pregnancy is the single most important step a mother can take to benefit her health and her baby’s health. Harmful chemicals in cigarette smoke pass into the mother’s circulation reducing the supply of oxygen in the mother’s blood. This means that the supply of oxygen to the baby is also reduced and this will affect your baby’s growth and development. The baby’s tiny heart has to beat harder every time the mother smokes. It’s worth stopping at any time during pregnancy but if you can stop before the 14th week the risks to the unborn baby return to normal. Smoking was much more common when our mothers were pregnant but our knowledge and awareness of the dangers of smoking has increased dramatically over the years. Without a doubt – smoking during pregnancy puts babies at risk.
For Dads and Dads To Be, it’s a fact that smoking can affect your performance and your fertility. You know that smoking’s bad for you but did you know it’s also bad for your partner and for the developing baby? Your baby may seem little more than a bump at the moment but being a dad starts right now. Smoking around your pregnant partner will not only expose her to the thousands of toxic chemicals contained in cigarette smoke but every time she inhales the smoke it will restricts the supply of oxygen that’s essential for the baby’s growth and development. Smaller babies are often weaker babies so now is the perfect time to quit.
Becoming a father is an exciting and emotional time in your life. So it's a great opportunity for you to quit smoking – if you can breathe more easily and improve your own health you will be able to keep up with your little one and give your baby a great start in life.
Pregnancy is life changing. The moment you stop smoking you’ll be protecting the health of your baby and everyone else in your growing family. We know if can be difficult but both you and any family members can see our specialist smoking and pregnancy advisor completely free of charge. Louise also sees people with newborn babies or young children.
What will the advisor offer me?
- Regular support sessions to help you and/ or your partner to succeed.
- Advice on free medications which are safe to use when you’re pregnant.
- Carbon monoxide checks to show you the progress you’re making.
- Telephone support and appointments close to your home to help you successfully quit
How do I contact the Smoking and Pregnancy advisor?
Every pregnant woman who lives in Bexley and smokes is referred to Bexley’s Smoking and Pregnancy Specialist Advisor, Louise, following their first booking-in visit at the hospital.Even though you are booked to have your baby at Darent Valley Hospital or Queen Elizabeth Hospital, Louise can support you to quit during your pregnancy. Louise telephones everyone referred to her following their booking appointment at the hospital, to ask if they would like any help to stop smoking. There is absolutely no pressure but if you do feel ready to try and stop smoking then Louise is happy to support you. You can decide together whether to use nicotine replacement therapy – which is recommended if you’ve tried before and just been unable to survive without your nicotine “hit”. Don’t worry – Louise is a qualified nurse and will monitor your stop smoking journey throughout your pregnancy, if that’s something you need. If you haven’t received a call and would like Louise to call you to discuss giving up smoking, please contact the service on 020 3045 3833. Louise works Wednesdays, Thursdays and Fridays but she will always make time to call you and arrange a convenient time to meet with you. Currently Louise can make you an appointment to see her at St Augustine's Children's Centre Belvedere between 9.30am and 12 noon on Thursdays or between 10 am and 2pm at Sidcup Library Hadlow Road, You will need to phone first so that she can book you a time slot. Louise is also on the Mobile Quit Bus outside Morrison's in Erith every Wednesday morning between 9.30 and 1.30 pm. Louise can help anyone who wants to give up smoking but is particularly supportive of pregnant smokers and smokers with young children. Call her Wednesday, Thursday or Friday on her work mobile 07939145983 and make an appointment to come and see her. If these days are not suitable - don't despair. A member of the core team will also be able to help you make that change from smoker to non-smoker and can offer different times that may be more convenient.