Objective: To establish smoking prevalence of fertile-aged women; before and during pregnancy, and 6 months after delivery.
Design: Cross-sectional.
Method: Yearly surveys by questionnaires handed out during 2001-2003 to mothers visiting a Well Baby Clinic with infants aged 0-6 months.
Results: Out ofa total of 14,540 questionnaires, 9133 (63%) were completed and returned. Before pregnancy 25% of all the women concerned smoked, 6% stopped 6 months before getting pregnant; this percentage rose between 2001 (5%) and 2003 (7%). During pregnancy, 14% of the women smoked. This percentage was significantly lower in 2002 and 2003 (13%) compared to 16% in 2001. 11% smoked while pregnant (average 5 cigarettes daily), and 3% stopped some time during pregnancy. Of the mothers who quitted smoking before or during pregnancy, two thirds did so permanently. Nevertheless 15% of all women smoked during the first half year after delivery. This percentage was lowest in 2003 (14%) and highest in 2001 (17%). 28% of all mothers with infants aged 0-6 months had partners who smoked (daily 10 cigarettes average), these women were more likely to start smoking again (RR: 2).
Conclusion: Minor positive changes were observed within the study period. A smoking partner contributed to smoking relapse after delivery.