What should I ask a pregnancy-care team about stopping smoking?

01

Support should offer more than another warning

Knowing that smoking is harmful and getting help to stop are different things. Cochrane describes counseling, health education and emotional or practical support as distinct forms of psychosocial help. You can ask what the offered service actually does: discuss difficult smoking situations, work through a previous attempt, or arrange another conversation—not simply hand over a risk leaflet.

A useful opening is: ‘I find stopping difficult, and I need to understand what help you offer.’ Then name a practical obstacle, such as taking calls privately or reaching appointments. These are conversation prompts, not a treatment plan or a claim that every maternity service offers the same program.

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02

Ask for an actual referral, not just a service name

“Who will contact whom, and what should I do if I hear nothing?” distinguishes an offered referral from a booked appointment. Ask about language, cost, travel and private callback arrangements. In the UK, NHS information identifies midwives and specialist stop-smoking advisers; this is a UK route, not a universal entitlement.

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03

Keep product questions and household support separate

Bring current packages and a medicine list to the professional privately. Ask who will assess nicotine or other products alongside pregnancy care and who communicates the decision to your usual prescriber. For a household smoker, ask about support for that person and a smoke-free home; it should not become your responsibility to supervise another adult.

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04

Leave with a named next contact

A useful fictional exchange is: “My maternity team will arrange a support referral; I will confirm the contact method; the maternity prescriber will handle product questions.” Ask how support continues after birth or if circumstances change. Ask your team for its urgent maternity route; a quit-support callback is not an emergency service.

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