England’s top midwife warns ‘tens of thousands’ are still smoking during pregnancy
Women who smoke during pregnancy are putting themselves and their baby at risk of serious harm unless they kick the habit, the NHS has warned.
The NHS’ chief midwife has spoken out as new stats show, although fewer adults overall are smoking and maternity smoking has also fallen, last year more than one in ten pregnant women were still smoking at the time they gave birth.
As part of The NHS Long Term Plan, all pregnant women will be offered specialist advice to help them to stop smoking, and an electronic carbon monoxide test during antenatal appointments.
