Prevention of relapse in women who quit smoking during pregnancy

Objectives. This study is an evaluation of relapse prevention interventions for smokers who quit during pregnancy. Methods. Pregnant smokers at 2 managed care organizations were randomized t o receive a self-help booklet only, prepartum relapse prevention, or prepar tum and postpartum relapse prevention. Follow-up surveys were conducted at 28 weeks of pregnancy and at 8 weeks, 6 months, and 12 months post-partum. Results. The pre/post intervention delayed but did not prevention postpartu m relapse to smoking. Prevalent abstinence was significantly grater for the pre post intervention group than for the other groups at 8 weeks (booklet group, 30%, prepartum group, 35%, pre/post group 39%; P = .02 [different su perscripts denote differences at P < .05]) and at 6 months (booklet group, 26%; prepartum group, 24%; pre/post group, 33%; P = .04) postpartum. A nons ignificant reduction in relapse among the pre post group contributed to dif ferences in prevalent abstinence. There was no difference between the group s in prevalent abstinence at 12 months postpartum. Conclusions. Relapse prevention interventions may need to be increased in d uration and potency to prevent postpartum relapse.