209. Specific Populations and Other Topics - Pregnant Smokers (Continued)
Treating Tobacco Use and Dependence: 2008 Update
Text version of slide presentation.
Clinical practice | Rationale |
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Motivate quit attempts by providing educational messages about the impact of smoking on both maternal and fetal health. | These are associated with higher quit rates. |
Give clear, strong advice to quit as soon as possible. | Quitting early in pregnancy provides the greatest benefit to the fetus. |
Use problem-solving counseling methods and provide social support and pregnancy-specific self-help materials. | Reinforces pregnancy-specific benefits and increases cessation rates. |
Arrange for follow-up assessments throughout pregnancy, including further encouragement of cessation. | The woman and her fetus will benefit even when quitting occurs late in pregnancy. |
In the early postpartum period, assess for relapse and be prepared to continue or reapply tobacco cessation interventions recognizing that patients may minimize or deny smoking. | Postpartum relapse rates are high even if a woman maintains abstinence throughout pregnancy. |