A FAMILY are looking forward to a healthy future after a mum-to-be quit smoking.
The Paul family are celebrating being smokefree and spending more time together now that mum Freda has quit smoking.
Like hundreds of pregnant women, Freda Paul felt guilty for smoking whilst pregnant.
She said: "I had been thinking about qui
tting for a while as I was sick of being dependant on nicotine, feeling guilty for smoking whilst being pregnant and not being able to go near my kids as I didn't like them to see me smoke.
"I felt like a social outcast. The last straw was when I had to get a diabetes test done and needed to not smoke for the whole day. I couldn't manage it and the test had to be re-arranged."
It was then that Freda, from Peterlee, decided to contact her local NHS Stop Smoking Service for help. The service has specialist pregnancy advisers who can meet pregnant smokers in their own home, children's centres, community centres or clinics to give help and support in a friendly and confidential setting.
Joanna Feeney, specialist stop smoking advisor – pregnancy for public health at County Durham Primary Care Trust, said: "We are always delighted to see a pregnant mum like Freda taking the step to quit and seeking support for the sake of her and her baby."
Freda used a 16 hour NRT patch to help her to quit and is already feeling the benefits for herself and her family.
She added: "I always thought I smoked because I was stressed, but now I am less stressed for not smoking. My breathing is a lot easier. I'm shocked as I thought I would have piled the weight on but I haven't. It will be nice when the baby is born not to have to put baby down to rush outside for a cigarette, which will also make the stay in hospital easier.
"As a pregnant mam you feel guilty and can put too much stress on yourself making quitting difficult. My advice would be to not look too far ahead and to take each day as it comes."
There are over 80 locations across Easington and Sedgefield where smokers can access NHS Stop Smoking Services. Specialist advisers provide a number of drop ins where you don't even need an appointment.
There is also a dedicated NHS support to help pregnant women to quit. The NHS Pregnancy Smoking Helpline - 0800 169 9 169 - offers a free and friendly service that provides practical advice about stopping smoking. Pregnant women can sign-up to receive regular phone calls which provide flexible ongoing support and encouragement.
If you would like help to quit or just more information contact your local NHS Stop Smoking Service on 0191 5692825.
