Smoking and Smoking Relapse During Pregnancy and Postpartum: Results of a Qualitative Study

Pregnancy as a context for stopping smoking, returning to smoking, and social pressures on smoking behavior emerged from the analysis, providing guidance for the timing and content of interventions to prevent smoking relapse.

Abstract

BACKGROUND: The purpose of this study was to describe women's smoking experience during pregnancy and postpartum. Primiparous women recruited during a randomized controlled trial to assess the effectiveness of postpartum visiting were invited to participate in a qualitative study. METHODS: A semistructured protocol guided the face-to-face interview. Interviews were audiotaped and transcribed. Data were coded independently by the authors, and the final coding system for emergent themes was developed through a consensus process. RESULTS: Of the 47 women invited to participate, 22 agreed to be interviewed. Three major themes emerged from the analysis: pregnancy as a context for stopping smoking, returning to smoking, and social pressures on smoking behavior. Concerns about the baby's health were cited as central reasons for stopping. Breastfeeding provided a reason for continued smoking cessation, whereas social events often demarcated a resumption of women's smoking choices. CONCLUSIONS: Results provide guidance for the timing and content of interventions to prevent smoking relapse.