Smokefree Mums, Time for Me is a new service for Sheffield residents that will support new mums who quit smoking during pregnancy to stay Smokefree following birth. It has been designed to follow on from the work midwives do to support women who stop smoking during pregnancy.
Solutions 4 Health, on behalf of Sheffield City Council, will be launching the unique and innovative new service in Fargate, Sheffield City Centre on Monday 1 June from 9:30am-4:00pm. Specialist trained advisors will be providing free information and advice about the Smokefree Mums, Time for Me service to pregnant women, new mums and their families. There will be free activities for children, including a balloon modeller and face painter.
Smokefree Mums, Time for Me is aimed at new mothers who have given up smoking during pregnancy and may need help to remain smokefree after giving birth.
Current statistics show that 60-70% of women who quit smoking during pregnancy relapse in the first 6 months after giving birth. This can be as a result of the stress of having a new baby, lack of sleep or having a partner or family members who smoke. To help prevent women giving into the habit again, the new service will offer women as much or as little support as they would like. This can include group sessions to create a relaxed and friendly atmosphere on which to build confidence and self-esteem, as well as offering help and advice on managing stress, relaxation and post- natal exercise and pampering treats.
Leena Sankla, Public Health and Lifestyle Services Director, Solutions 4 Health said: “This is an exciting opportunity for us to provide a fully accessible, professional service for women prior to, during and after their pregnancy, following on from the good work midwives do to encourage women to stop smoking when pregnant. Smoking in pregnancy is known to increase the complications and health risks for both mother and baby so it is really important to help prevent the factors that could encourage women to turn to smoking again following birth. This is where our service will come in to try and reduce smoking prevalence amongst this group of women and contribute to improving the health of the population in Sheffield.”
This service will be offered 7 days a week and a range of options to receive support will be available, through home visits, telephone, text, social media and fun group sessions.
For more information on the service or to receive support call 0114 209 4029 or TEXT STOP to 66777.
