Your story can support another parent

Every journey to stopping smoking is different.

You might have:

• Tried to quit during pregnancy
• Used NHS support services
• Faced challenges or setbacks
• Found something that helped

Your experience can help others:

• Feel less alone
• Feel more confident asking for help
• Understand what to expect

What You Might Want to Share

You can share:

• What helped you cut down or stop
• What felt difficult
• Support you received
• Advice for other parents

👉 Share your experience of stopping smoking during pregnancy

Getting support is simple and supportive.

First Conversation

• You’ll talk about your smoking habits
• There is no judgement or pressure

Creating a Plan

Support may include:

• Setting realistic goals
• Identifying triggers
• Finding alternatives to smoking

Ongoing Support

• Regular check‑ins
• Adjusting your plan if needed
• Encouragement throughout your journey

👉 You can go at your own pace — every step counts.

🌱 Possible Outcomes

Stopping or reducing smoking can:

• Improve oxygen levels for your baby
• Support healthy growth and development
• Reduce risks during pregnancy and birth
• Improve your own wellbeing

👉 Even cutting down or stopping later in pregnancy can still make a positive difference.

There is free, specialist support available across London for pregnant women who want to stop smoking.

NHS Stop Smoking Services

These services offer:

• One‑to‑one support
• Personalised quitting plans
• Regular check‑ins
• Advice on managing cravings

👉 Support is designed to work around your needs and pace

Nicotine Replacement Therapy (NRT)

You may be offered:

• Patches
• Gum
• Lozenges or inhalators

👉 These are safer alternatives to smoking and can be recommended by healthcare professionals during pregnancy.

Midwife and Maternity Support

Your midwife can:

• Talk openly with you about smoking
• Refer you to stop smoking services
• Support you throughout your pregnancy

👉 You will not be judged — their role is to support you.

🤝 Who Can Help You Stop Smoking

You don’t have to do this on your own.

You can speak to:

• Your midwife or maternity team
• Your GP
• A pharmacist
• Local stop smoking advisors
• Support services through NHS or local councils

👉 Even one conversation can be the first step.

Your baby relies entirely on you for oxygen and nutrients.

When smoke enters your body:

• Less oxygen reaches your baby
• Your baby’s heart can have to work harder
• Growth and development may be affected

Even small changes — like reducing or stopping smoking — can help improve the environment your baby is growing in.

💛 A Gentle Reminder

This is not about blame.

👉 It’s about support, understanding, and helping you take steps that feel possible.

Support to help you and your baby stay as healthy as possible

Stopping smoking during pregnancy can feel difficult — especially if you’re already managing stress, pressure, or challenging circumstances.

At Basch Helps, we want to approach this topic with care, honesty, and support.

👉 If you smoke, you are not alone — and help is available without judgement.

Every positive step you take can make a difference to both your health and your baby’s development.

⚠️ Why Smoking in Pregnancy Can Be Harmful

Smoking affects how oxygen and nutrients reach your baby.

When you smoke:

• Carbon monoxide reduces oxygen levels in your blood
• Nicotine affects your baby’s development
• Harmful chemicals pass through the placenta

👉 This can make it harder for your baby to grow and develop safely.

Potential Risks Include

• Low birth weight
• Premature birth
• Increased risk of miscarriage or stillbirth
• Breathing problems after birth
• Higher risk of infections

👉 These risks can feel worrying, but stopping smoking at any stage can reduce them.

❤️ How Basch Helps Can Support You

At Basch Helps, we understand that smoking is often linked to:

• Stress
• Anxiety
• Daily pressures
• Financial hardship

We can support you by:

• Offering a safe, non‑judgemental space to talk
• Helping you access NHS and local services
• Supporting your emotional wellbeing
• Being alongside you while you navigate change

👉 You don’t have to face this alone.