A maternity research team is still calling out for more pregnant women to be involved in a study aimed at helping them quit smoking.
The service at the University Hospital of North Tees is part of two national trials looking to improve the support for women who are expecting – as the organisation marks No Smoking Day today.
The first study, SNAP 2, is looking at the impact nicotine replacement therapy (NRT) and a special ‘baby, me and NRT’ support package may have.
While the second study, SNAP 3, is looking to find out if three ways of NRT in pregnancy can help women stop smoking when compared to routine support.
NRT is a way of giving smokers a dose of nicotine in a safer way, such as patches or chewing gum.
Testing if smoking support package can help women
Vicky Collins, research associate practitioner, who is the principal investigator for SNAP 2, said: “Since being involved in the study over the last few weeks, we have been really pleased with the response and enthusiasm we have had from so many of the pregnant women we are supporting.
“We are also really grateful to the fantastic work the staff in the unit have put in to have conversations with women and partners and contributing to the study.
“NRT products are available free of charge during pregnancy, but many women do not use them in sufficient doses or for long enough to get the best results.
“This study is looking at whether the new ‘baby, me and NRT’ support package can help pregnant women to use enough NRT.
“All participants are being offered NRT and six telephone or video consultations with a stop smoking practitioner. Those in the ‘baby, me and NRT group’ will receive additional support and resources.
“Research data is then being collected using a mobile phone app and online surveys, along with saliva samples at various timepoints.”
Looking at helping in different ways
Sharon Gowans, research midwife and principal investigator for SNAP 3, said: “The NHS currently advises that pregnant women should not use NRT if they smoke – but some research suggests allowing women to use both at the same time could help stop smoking more successfully.
“This trial is looking at the effect of using both in three different ways – doing so before a quit date, doing so in recovery from brief lapses to smoking and doing so for smoking reduction.
“The intervention will be delivered alongside standard NHS stop smoking support, and compared to standard support alone.
Get involved
If you have found out you are pregnant and would like to get involved in either trial, contact the address below.
