Nicole Mullally had used smoking as an emotional “crutch” after losing a baby in 2019 - but she knew this year, she had to quit to give her infant son the best chance of health. The pilot programme at the National Maternity Hospital (NMH) has helped 70pc of pregnant women quit smoking, as the problem continues to affect many Irish families. “If women quit before 15 weeks, it reduces the risk of preterm birth, or of a small gestational age. “Smoking in pregnancy is the leading cause of adverse pregnancy outcomes and the first environmental risk to an unborn child. “So far out of anyone who's got to deliver a smoke free baby, only one mother has relapsed.”

Source: Irish Independent May 31, 2021 09:22 UTC