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Smoke-free outcomes with Midwife Lead Maternity Carers: An analysis of smoking during pregnancy from the New Zealand College of Midwives Midwifery Database 2004-2007

Abstract:

Tobacco smoking during pregnancy has adverse health implications for both the mother and the baby. The New Zealand College of Midwives MMPO midwifery database was used to examine the smoking or smoke free status of women who had a midwife as their Lead Maternity Carer between the years 2004 to 2007. The database contained data for more than 61,000 women over a period of four years. Smoking and smoke free status during pregnancy and the postpartum period are provided for each year along with the age and ethnicity of the women. Analysis of the data showed a small reduction in the incidence of smoking at pregnancy registration over the four years. This research was able to link the data from the antenatal to the post natal period so that changes in smoking behaviour could be identified. This revealed a much larger reduction in smoking during the post partum period. The groups with the highest reductions are women who are under twenty or of Maori ethnicity. Continuity of midwifery care over the pregnancy, birth and postnatal periods may contribute to these outcomes. This research has provided a unique and contemporary picture of the smoke free and smoking behaviour of women during pregnancy and following birth in New Zealand.

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midwifery, New Zealand, Smoking cessation, smoking during pregnancy