Abstract
IntroductionThere is limited information about longitudinal patterns of vaping during pregnancy and the postpartum. We describe the prevalence, frequency, and reasons for vaping throughout pregnancy and postpartum. We also describe temporal patterns in pregnant women’s vaping. MethodsA longitudinal cohort study across England and Scotland, with questionnaires in early pregnancy (8–24 weeks gestation), late pregnancy (34–38 weeks) and 3 months postpartum. A total of 750 women, aged 16 years or over, who were either current smokers, vapers or had smoked in the 3 months before pregnancy, were recruited between June and November 2017. ResultsVaping prevalence was 15.9% (n = 119/750) in early pregnancy: 12.4% (n = 93/750) were dual users and 3.5% (n = 26/750) exclusive vapers. Late pregnancy vaping prevalence was 17.8% (n = 68/383): 12.5% (n = 48/383) were dual users and 5.2% (n = 20/383) exclusive vapers. Postpartum vaping prevalence was 23.1% (n = 95/411): 14.6% (n = 60/411) were dual users and 8.5% (n = 35/411) exclusive vapers. The most frequently reported reason to vape among all vapers was to quit smoking. A total of 316 women completed all three surveys: 2.6% (n = 8/316) were exclusive vapers in early pregnancy with most remaining exclusive vapers postpartum (n = 6/8, 75%). Of the 11.5% (n = 35/316) dual users in early pregnancy, 31.4% (n = 11/35) were exclusive smokers by the postpartum. ConclusionVaping prevalence was between 15.9% and 23.1% during pregnancy and the postpartum period, and the majority were dual users. Vaping habits of exclusive vapers remains stable throughout pregnancy and the postpartum. However, the vaping habits of dual users varies, with a third exclusively smoking in the postpartum.
Highlights
Smoking in pregnancy has adverse health consequences for the woman and baby (Clifford, Lang, & Chen, 2012; Cnattingius, 2004; Delpisheh et al, 2007; Gluckman, Hanson, Cooper, & Thornburg, 2008); efforts to eliminate smoking is a public health priority
Surveys were returned by 52.3% (n=392/750) of the cohort in late pregnancy (34-38 weeks gestation) and 56.0% (n=415/750) in postpartum (3 months after having a baby)
Our findings show that nearly 16% of pregnant smokers or ex-smokers are vaping in early pregnancy, 18% in late pregnancy and 23% in the postpartum
Summary
Smoking in pregnancy has adverse health consequences for the woman and baby (Clifford, Lang, & Chen, 2012; Cnattingius, 2004; Delpisheh et al, 2007; Gluckman, Hanson, Cooper, & Thornburg, 2008); efforts to eliminate smoking is a public health priority. In England, 10.4% of women self-report smoking at delivery (NHS Digital, 2019) and rates are higher among younger and more deprived women (Health and Social Care Information Centre., 2015; McAndrew F, 2012). Up to half of women report quitting smoking either just before or around the time of finding out they are pregnant (Orton et al, 2014; Pickett, Wakschlag, Dai, & Leventhal, 2003); up to 60% of these may relapse in the postpartum(Colman & Joyce, 2003; Cooper et al, 2017; Jones, Lewis, Parrott, Wormall, & Coleman, 2016). Electronic cigarette (e-cigarette/vaping) prevalence in England in 2019 was between 57% for non-pregnant adults (Ann McNeill, Brose, Calder, Bauld, & Robson, 2020). Vaping appears to be an effective aid to assist non-pregnant smokers to quit smoking
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Free) 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a call
