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The Oklahoma State Department
of Health (OSDH), along with its statewide partners, is celebrating the
significant reduction in smoking rates among pregnant women in
Oklahoma. Data have shown a dramatic decline of more than one-third (33.5
percent) in smoking among pregnant women since 2009. Along with this
improvement, there has been a drop in infant deaths of more than 10 percent. In
recognition of Infant Mortality Awareness Month, September is the ideal time to
recognize these noteworthy improvements.
“To help continue this positive
trend, we encourage women to be healthy before and during pregnancy,” said
Director of Maternal and Child Health Service Joyce Marshall. “Many
factors affect birth outcomes including smoking during pregnancy. Although we’ve
seen a significant decrease in smoking rates, most recent data indicates that
one out of every eight Oklahoma women continues to smoke during the last three
months of pregnancy. As we celebrate improvements in smoking rates among
pregnant women, we acknowledge that more needs to be done to support women and
their families to quit smoking.”
According to the Centers for
Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), smoking during pregnancy remains one of
the most common preventable causes of pregnancy complications and of illness
and death among babies. Smoking during pregnancy can contribute to
premature birth, low birth weight, certain birth defects, and miscarriage. Even
being around others who smoke exposes a baby to chemicals which can have a
lifelong impact. By quitting smoking, a pregnant mom can:
- Increase
chances of the baby having healthier lungs.
- Increase
the amount of oxygen for the baby, therefore, helping the baby grow.
- Reduce
likelihood that the baby will develop asthma, allergies and other lung
conditions.
- Decrease
the baby’s risk of sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS).
No matter how far along in the
pregnancy, a mom and her baby will be healthier if she quits using tobacco and
vapor products. The Oklahoma Tobacco Helpline is a free statewide resource available
for all Oklahomans who are thinking about quitting or ready to quit tobacco.
Oklahomans can call the Oklahoma Tobacco Helpline at 1-800-QUIT NOW (784-8669)
or register online at https://okhelpline.com
24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
Family and friends can support
a woman’s healthy choice to quit smoking by not smoking around a pregnant
mother. The helpline is also available for family and friends to provide
additional support by quitting smoking themselves.
The Preparing for a Lifetime,
It’s Everyone’s Responsibility Initiative aims to reduce infant mortality
through various programs and activities. A list of program partners is included
below. To learn more about being healthy before, during, and after pregnancy
visit http://iio.health.ok.gov.
Program Partners
Community Services Council of
Greater Tulsa
Coalition of Oklahoma Breastfeeding Advocates
Indian Health Services Crisis Services
March of Dimes
Oklahoma Breastfeeding Resource Center
Oklahoma Child Death Review Board
Oklahoma City Area Inter-Tribal Health Board
Oklahoma City-County Health Department
Oklahoma City Indian Clinic
Oklahoma Commission for Children and Youth
Oklahoma Department of Human Services
Oklahoma Department of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services
Oklahoma Family Network
Oklahoma Health Care Authority
Oklahoma Hospital Association
Oklahoma Institute for Child Advocacy
Oklahoma Partnership for School Readiness
Oklahoma Perinatal Quality Improvement Collaborative
Oklahoma State Department of Health
Oklahoma Tobacco Settlement Endowment Trust
OU Medical Center
Safe Kids Oklahoma
The Parent Child Center of Tulsa
The State Chamber
Tulsa Health Department/Tulsa Healthy Start
Turning Point Coalitions
University of Oklahoma College of Continuing Education
University of Oklahoma Departments of OB/GYN and Pediatrics
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