Psychosocial Interventions for Supporting Women to Stop Smoking in Pregnancy

Smoking while pregnant increases the risk of complications during pregnancy and of the baby having a low birth weight. This systematic review aimed to assess the effectiveness of the various psychosocial interventions to support pregnant women to stop smoking. It identified 102 trials and assessed the effectiveness of the following types of interventions: counseling, health education, incentives, social support, structured support for physical activity, and feedback. Feedback interventions give pregnant women information about the health of their fetuses and the levels of tobacco byproducts in their bodies. Counseling, feedback, and financial incentives appear to reduce the number of women smoking in late pregnancy. The effects of health education, social support, and support for physical activity are less clear.