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Stress leads 90% of mothers to resume smoking after pregnancy, study finds Stress leads many mothers to resume smoking after pregnancy, study finds
(about 13 hours later)
Sleepless nights and the stress of caring for a newborn are driving mothers who stopped smoking in pregnancy to light up again, despite the potential damage to their baby.Sleepless nights and the stress of caring for a newborn are driving mothers who stopped smoking in pregnancy to light up again, despite the potential damage to their baby.
New research shows that the strains of motherhood are leading up to 90% of women who had quit to resume smoking, especially those from poorer backgrounds.New research shows that the strains of motherhood are leading up to 90% of women who had quit to resume smoking, especially those from poorer backgrounds.
A study of interviews with 1,031 women who had given birth found that some mothers go back to cigarettes under pressure from friends or because they see it as a way of regaining their identity.A study of interviews with 1,031 women who had given birth found that some mothers go back to cigarettes under pressure from friends or because they see it as a way of regaining their identity.
The findings prompted calls for “a cultural shift” so that quitters do not relapse once they become mothers.The findings prompted calls for “a cultural shift” so that quitters do not relapse once they become mothers.
“We found that many women see smoking as a way of coping with stress. They also believe that physiological changes influence cigarette cravings, and that they no longer need to protect the baby from smoking’s harmful effects,” said Dr Caitlin Notley, the lead author and a researcher at the University of East Anglia’s medical school.“We found that many women see smoking as a way of coping with stress. They also believe that physiological changes influence cigarette cravings, and that they no longer need to protect the baby from smoking’s harmful effects,” said Dr Caitlin Notley, the lead author and a researcher at the University of East Anglia’s medical school.
“Women who saw smoking as a way of coping with stress were more likely to relapse. Feeling low, lonely, tired and coping with things like persistent crying were also triggers. Women reported that cravings for nicotine which had lessened or stopped during pregnancy returned,” Notley added.“Women who saw smoking as a way of coping with stress were more likely to relapse. Feeling low, lonely, tired and coping with things like persistent crying were also triggers. Women reported that cravings for nicotine which had lessened or stopped during pregnancy returned,” Notley added.
Notley’s findings are in stark opposition to recent NHS data. The most recent official figures on smoking and motherhood, from the NHS health and social care information centre’s infant feeding study in 2010, show that of the 26% of women who are smokers before or during pregnancy, a narrow majority – 14% – had kicked the habit by the time they their baby is born, with the other 12% smoking throughout pregnancy.Notley’s findings are in stark opposition to recent NHS data. The most recent official figures on smoking and motherhood, from the NHS health and social care information centre’s infant feeding study in 2010, show that of the 26% of women who are smokers before or during pregnancy, a narrow majority – 14% – had kicked the habit by the time they their baby is born, with the other 12% smoking throughout pregnancy.
It also found that “while most mothers who gave up before or during the pregnancy managed to stay stopped after the birth, a minority did start smoking again”. In addition, “less than a year after the birth of their baby over three in 10 mothers (31%) who had stopped during pregnancy were smoking again”.It also found that “while most mothers who gave up before or during the pregnancy managed to stay stopped after the birth, a minority did start smoking again”. In addition, “less than a year after the birth of their baby over three in 10 mothers (31%) who had stopped during pregnancy were smoking again”.
Women’s beliefs about smoking are “a major barrier” to quitters continuing to stay smoke-free in motherhood, added Notley, whose team at UEA analysed 22 previous papers on the subject. Their findings are published in Thursday’s edition of the medical journal Addiction.Women’s beliefs about smoking are “a major barrier” to quitters continuing to stay smoke-free in motherhood, added Notley, whose team at UEA analysed 22 previous papers on the subject. Their findings are published in Thursday’s edition of the medical journal Addiction.
“Many felt that smoking after the birth of their child was acceptable provided they protected their babies from secondhand smoke. Their focus is, admirably, on the health of the baby, but they often do not think about the long-term consequences for themselves as mothers.”“Many felt that smoking after the birth of their child was acceptable provided they protected their babies from secondhand smoke. Their focus is, admirably, on the health of the baby, but they often do not think about the long-term consequences for themselves as mothers.”
Women with no partner or with a partner who smoked were much more likely to relapse, they found. However, most women who remained smoke-free after giving birth said their partner’s support in doing so was an important factor.Women with no partner or with a partner who smoked were much more likely to relapse, they found. However, most women who remained smoke-free after giving birth said their partner’s support in doing so was an important factor.
“Partners who gave up smoking, or altered their own smoking behaviour, were a particularly good influence. And those who helped ease the stress of childcare were also praised by women who had resisted the urge to light up,” said Notley.“Partners who gave up smoking, or altered their own smoking behaviour, were a particularly good influence. And those who helped ease the stress of childcare were also praised by women who had resisted the urge to light up,” said Notley.
Rosanna O’Connor, the director of alcohol, drugs and tobacco at Public Health England, urged women who smoke to quit in pregnancy and stay away from cigarettes once they had become mothers, but acknowledged how hard that can prove.Rosanna O’Connor, the director of alcohol, drugs and tobacco at Public Health England, urged women who smoke to quit in pregnancy and stay away from cigarettes once they had become mothers, but acknowledged how hard that can prove.
She said: “Stopping smoking is the best thing a woman and her partner can do to protect their own health and the health of their baby, both during pregnancy and after.She said: “Stopping smoking is the best thing a woman and her partner can do to protect their own health and the health of their baby, both during pregnancy and after.
“Quitting and remaining smoke-free can be difficult and, like many smokers, parents may need help.”“Quitting and remaining smoke-free can be difficult and, like many smokers, parents may need help.”
• This article was amended on 10 September 2015. The headline on an earlier version said stress led 90% of mothers to resume smoking after pregnancy; in fact it is only in certain groups that up to 90% restart the habit.