The process of pregnancy smoking cessation: implications for interventions

Objective-There is a growing body of knowledge about the pregnant smoker an d what happens as she goes through the pregnancy and postpartum periods. Th is article reviews the process of smoking cessation in the context of pregn ancy. Data sources-Epidemiological data, extant reviews of the literature, and cu rrent original research reports are used to examine characteristics of the women and of the change process for those women smokers who quit, stop, or modify their smoking during pregnancy and the postpartum period. Data synthesis-An analysis of the interaction of the process of smoking ces sation with pregnancy was conducted to gain insight into the unique problem s faced by the pregnant smoker and discover directions for intervention. Conclusions-Pregnancy and the postpartum period provide a window of opportu nity to promote smoking cessation and smoke free families. Understanding ob stacles and pathways for pregnancy and postpartum smoking cessation can gui de implementation of effective existing programs and development of new one s. Recommendations include promoting cessation before and at the beginning of pregnancy, increasing delivery of treatment early in pregnancy, helping spontaneous and intervention assisted quitters to remain tobacco free postp artum, aiding late pregnancy smokers, and involving the partner of the woma n smoker.