Pregnant Mums focus of new Smokefree programme

4 October 2013

Pregnant Mums focus of new Smokefree programme

Twenty-two people passionate about the smokefree pregnancy message and the future health of Kiwi newborns are being sought.

Tui Ora launched a new programme in September – now it’s asking Taranaki people to help it support pregnant women who smoke.

The regional-wide health and social services organisation says it needs three groups of trainers and champions for the new Mana Wahine Hapu service.

Co-ordinator Emma Dillon says the service has a range of aims. It will support pregnant women who smoke by providing access to group or individualised smokefree pregnancy support programmes. It will also provide better information about the benefits of being smokefree for whānau, and highlight awareness of the dangers of smoking while pregnant.

The number of young Maori women who smoke during pregnancy is disproportionally high, with the effects on babies well documented by the medical profession.

The 22 trainers and champions are part of the programme’s push to get the whole community involved, says Mrs Dillon.

Up to 12 professional champions are needed. “We’re looking for committed smokefree people who care about pregnant women smoking. They may be midwives, practice nurses, GPs or other health professionals who want to make a difference.”

People willing to train members of the public are also sought. Called Whānau Champion Trainers, they’ll teach individual Whānau Champions how to discuss the issue and best offer extended family the support and access to services that they need.

In addition, five facilitators willing to work with peer support groups are needed. Pregnant women wanting to become smokefree and their partners can join the groups, which will be run over the next two years.

Mrs Dillon says anyone can apply for the 22 positions, particularly those with good existing networks and a passion for encouraging pregnant women to ditch the habit. Remuneration is offered.

She says giving up is hard as smoking is an addiction not a social choice, however, there are so many benefits to becoming smokefree. Babies are healthier, far less likely to suffer from things such as asthma, glue ear and SUDI (sudden unexpected death in infancy); a mother’s chance of miscarriage drops substantially as does the likelihood of baby being stillborn. Breastfeeding rates are better and whānau are financially better off when they don’t need to buy cigarettes.

Pregnant women are more likely to be successful if partners and whānau are also smokefree, says Mrs Dillon. “This service is about everyone taking responsibility for it, no matter what role they are in. Often women want to give up, they just don’t know how to go about it.”

Tui Ora is jointly running the Mana Wahine Hapu service alongside Smokechange, specialists in providing pregnancy dedicated smokefree support.

Tui Ora is a kaupapa Māori integrated whānau health service committed to enhancing health and wellbeing by actively promoting the principles of tikanga, leadership and quality.

www.tuiora.co.nz

ENDS

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