RCM comments on BJOG smoking and obesity in pregnancy research

By RCM on 13 June 2018 Public Health Obesity Smoking

Research to be published tomorrow in BJOG: An International Journal of Obstetrics and Gynaecology found that women who smoke and are obese during pregnancy are more likely to have daughters who develop polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) later in life.

Mandy Forrester, Head of Quality and Standards at the Royal College of Midwives, said: “This is more evidence about the importance of women at the very least reducing smoking before and during pregnancy and ideally stopping altogether. What is a concern is that we are seeing threats to smoking cessation services as public health budgets are cut.

“On a general level obesity is linked to an increase in complications in pregnancy for the mother and baby and as this research shows, possibly other negative effects also. It is very important that women are at a healthy weight before and during pregnancy, and indeed afterwards for their general health.

“If we can reduce smoking in pregnancy and levels of obesity it could make significant improvements to the health of the mother and her baby. There is clearly a need to invest in services that support weight management and stopping smoking.”

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Note to editors

The RCM is the only trade union and professional association dedicated to serving midwifery and the whole midwifery team. We provide workplace advice and support, professional and clinical guidance and information, and learning opportunities with our broad range of events, conferences and online resources. For more information visit the RCM website at https://www.rcm.org.uk/.