Maternal smoking during pregnancy and evidence-based intervention to promote cessation

Abstract

Maternal smoking during pregnancy is hazardous to the developing fetus and mother. Smokers should be identified and offered personalized advice and assistance, including self-help materials tailored for pregnancy. Results of a meta-analysis of 16 randomized trials with validated outcomes indicate that such intervention increases cessation by 70% in diverse populations of pregnant women. At this time, intensive counseling on multiple occasions does not appear to increase cessation.