Help for (future) parents to quit smoking

Every child has the right to grow up smoke-free. The ‘Taskforce Smoke-free Start Noord-Limburg’ has been set up to provide (future) parents with maximum support to quit smoking. This month, ‘Stoptober’, a trial will start to refer (future) parents to their GP for help with stopping.

What is unique about this approach is that in a conversation between GP and patient, it is examined which method of stopping is best for the patient. This gives the best chance that the stop attempt will be successful. The Taskforce consists of the gynaecologists and paediatricians of the VieCuri hospital, primary and secondary obstetricians, maternity care organisations, GP practices affiliated with Cohesie, ‘Stopping smoking coaches’ and the GGD Limburg-Noord. The unambiguous approach and cooperation between the aforementioned healthcare professionals is new.

“The obstetrician, gynecologist or pediatrician already discusses the Smoke-Free Start during the first intake interview,” says obstetrician Karin Maas of Astrea Verloskundig Centrum. “If a pregnant woman is found to smoke, we will do everything we can to make her aware of the need to stop. But we don’t do it with a pointing finger. We ask the pregnant woman if she’s okay with talking about smoking. We then give advice and together we look for personal reasons for stopping.”

“Our goal is to have as many children as possible grow up smoke-free. If a pregnant woman is open to giving up smoking, a tailor-made program follows through the GP or the practice nurse,” says GP Han Loozen. The social environment of the pregnant woman plays an important role in this. “If the pregnant woman’s partner also smokes, it is most ideal if she also makes an attempt to quit. This way she is not always reminded of cigarettes and they can support each other. As an extra helping hand, it is also good to ask friends and family to stop together or at least not to smoke in the neighborhood.”

Quitting before pregnancy has a major effect, says gynecologist Anika Dam of VieCuri: “A smoke-free start reduces the risk of miscarriage, premature birth, cot death, asthma and disrupted growth and development of the baby. Harmful substances from cigarettes reach the unborn baby via the umbilical cord and placenta. In adults, the liver and kidneys are able to clear some of these substances themselves. But in unborn babies, these organs are still developing. That makes it even more harmful to the baby. Smoking also reduces the amount of nutrients and oxygen reaching the baby, which can result in various abnormalities.” Her plea is not an isolated one. At least 45 babies die in the Netherlands every year because the mother smokes during pregnancy. Pediatrician Anneke van Boekholt adds: “If children no longer smoke at home, we prevent children from developing respiratory diseases, middle ear infections and learning disabilities. Children are also less likely to start smoking later on.”

With its initiative, the ‘Taskforce Smoke-free Start Noord-Limburg’ links up with the chain approach of the Smoke-Free Generation. In the Venlo region the following are affiliated: VieCuri Medical Center, Cohesie GP care, Vincent van Gogh for mental health, the municipality of Venlo and GGD Limburg-Noord. Aesculaap Medical Assistance and Midwives Coöperatie Noord Limburg are also involved in the Taskforce. All ‘Stop with smoking coaches’ in North Limburg can be found on the website www.mccpxzorg.nl/zorgkaart.

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