Smoking cessation during pregnancy and relapse after childbirth in Canada

This analysis was undertaken to determine the rates and determinants of smoking cessation during pregnancy and smoking relapse after childbirth in Canada.

We used data from the Maternity Experiences Survey, a cross-sectional study of mothers who gave birth to a singleton baby in Canada in 2006. A total of 1586 mothers who smoked occasionally or daily before pregnancy were included in the analysis.

The rate of smoking cessation during pregnancy was 53.0% (95% CI 50.3% to 55.7%). Higher pre-pregnancy smoking frequency, Inuit origin, being aged ≥ 35 years, lower education, not attending prenatal classes, lack of social support, stress before or during pregnancy, and living with a smoker were independently associated with higher risk of continued smoking, while First Nations (off-reserve) origin was associated with a lower risk. Among those who had quit smoking, 47.1% (95% CI 43.5% to 50.6%) relapsed postpartum. Living with a smoker, not having breastfed, and having stopped breastfeeding were independently associated with a higher risk of relapse.

This study highlights the need to tailor smoking cessation and prevention interventions for some high-risk groups of women.