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Pregnant Banbury mum marks three months smoke-free and encourages others to quit
15/10/2024
She started smoking due to stress but then couldn’t give up
A pregnant mum from Banbury who is nearly three months smoke free is encouraging others to give up smoking. Thirty-two year old Zarah Jaggs says she received “outstanding” support from a specialist maternity service launched by Oxford University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust earlier this year.
Zarah is one of more than 100 pregnant women being supported on their journey to quit smoking, supported by Trust’s Specialist Maternity Tobacco Dependency Service, which opened to referrals in January 2024.
Smoking is the single greatest modifiable risk factor for poor outcomes in pregnancy, with nearly one in 10 women still smoking when their baby is born.
The Maternity Tobacco Dependency Service is free and provides behavioural support and nicotine replacement products.
Zarah, who already has three children, has smoked most of her life. She is expecting her next baby in January and was referred to the service through her midwife. She started smoking as a ‘crutch’ to deal with stress before it became “a habit I couldn’t break”.
But Zarah is now nearly three months smokefree and encouraging other pregnant women to get the support they need.
She said: “My quit journey is going very well – I am now smokefree and getting healthier.
“I had tried to quit many times over the years but it never stuck. Just before I found out I was pregnant, a close family member got mouth cancer and that made me realise I needed to quit and be there for my children.
“As somebody who thought I would never be able to quit, but am now able to say that I’m smokefree, is amazing. The support I have received and continue to receive is outstanding.
“If you feel ready to quit, please do ask your midwife for a referral.”
Rachael Gosling, Healthy Lifestyle and Substance Use Midwife at Oxford University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, said: “Tobacco treatment services are being rolled out across a range of NHS settings, and we are pleased to be helping women who need us from across Oxfordshire.
“Our judgement-free service is here to support pregnant women’s attempt to quit and remain smokefree during their pregnancy. We are committed to supporting these women and their families every step of the way towards a healthier future.”
Published: by Banbury FM Newsteam