Postpartum Smoking Relapse Research Articles

Postpartum Changes in Mood and Smoking-Related Symptomatology: An Ecological Momentary Assessment Investigation.

Postpartum smoking relapse is a highly prevalent public health problem. Mood and breast feeding are significantly associated with smoking relapse, although less is known about the temporality of these relationships. Therefore, this study utilized ecological momentary assessments (EMA) to prospectively examine changes in mood and smoking-related symptomatology in relationship to three events-childbirth, termination of breast feeding, and smoking relapse. We expected all three events to significantly alter mood and smoking-related symptomatology. We enrolled a sample of pregnant women who had recently quit smoking and intended to remain quit during the postpartum. Participants were randomized to active/placebo progesterone to prevent postpartum relapse. Participants also completed daily EMA to collect data mood and smoking-related symptomatology as well as our three events of interest. Participants (n = 46) were, on average, 26.5 ± 0.8 years old and, prior to pregnancy, smoked 10.1 ± 0.7 cigarettes/day. We noted a number of significant within- and between-subject relationships. For example, participants reported a 24% decline in negative affect after childbirth (p = .0016). Among those who relapsed to smoking (n = 23), participants randomized to placebo had a significant increase in cigarette craving after relapse (β = 1.06, 95% confidence interval [CI] = 0.62 to 1.49, p value = .0003), whereas participants randomized to active progesterone did not (β = 0.63, 95% CI = -0.35 to 1.62, p value = .1824). These observations suggest that mood and smoking-related symptomatology are influenced by childbirth, breast feeding, smoking relapse, and use of exogenous progesterone. Future research should explore how these observations may inform novel postpartum smoking relapse-prevention interventions. Postpartum smoking relapse has been a persistent public health problem for more than 40 years. Although a number of significant predictors of postpartum smoking relapse have been identified (eg, depression and breast feeding), much of these analyses have relied on cross-sectional and/or self-reported retrospective data. Therefore, for the first time, we utilized ecological momentary assessment to explore the effect of childbirth, termination of breast feeding, and smoking relapse on mood and smoking-related symptomatology (eg, craving). Numerous significant relationships were observed, including a 96% increase in craving after smoking relapse. These novel observations can inform new and effective postpartum smoking relapse-prevention programs.

Do Psychiatric Disorders or Measures of Distress Moderate Response to Postpartum Relapse Prevention Interventions?

Most women who quit smoking during pregnancy will relapse postpartum. Interventions for sustained postpartum abstinence can benefit from understanding prenatal characteristics associated with treatment response. Given that individuals with psychiatric disorders or elevated depressive symptoms have difficulty quitting smoking and that increases in depressive symptoms prenatally are common, we examined the relevance of psychiatric diagnoses, prenatal depressive symptoms, and stress to postpartum relapse prevention intervention response. Pregnant women (N = 300) who quit smoking during pregnancy received intervention (with specialized focus on mood, weight, and stress [STARTS] or a comparison [SUPPORT]) to prevent postpartum relapse. As previously published, nearly one-third and one-quarter of women achieved biochemically-confirmed sustained abstinence at 24- and 52-weeks postpartum, with no difference in abstinence rates between the interventions. Women completed psychiatric interviews and questionnaires during pregnancy. Smoking was assessed in pregnancy, and 24- and 52-weeks postpartum. Psychiatric disorders did not predict sustained abstinence or treatment response. However, treatment response was moderated by end-of-pregnancy depressive symptoms (χ2 = 9.98, p = .002) and stress (χ2 = 6.90, p = .01) at 24- and 52-weeks postpartum and remained significant after including covariates. Women with low distress achieved higher abstinence rates in SUPPORT than in STARTS (37% vs. 19% for depressive symptoms; 36% vs. 19% for stress), with no difference for women with high symptoms. Prenatal depressive symptoms and stress predicted differential treatment efficacy in women with low symptoms, not in women with high symptoms. Diagnostic history did not predict treatment differences. Future research to address prenatal distress may help tailor postpartum relapse prevention interventions. We examined prenatal history of psychiatric disorders and psychiatric distress as moderators of response to postpartum smoking relapse prevention intervention that either included or did not include added content on mood, stress, and weight concerns. For women with lower psychiatric distress, the added focus is not necessary, as these women achieved greater sustained abstinence in the less-intensive treatment. Understanding which women need which level of care to sustain abstinence can help allocate resources for all postpartum former smokers. These findings underscore the importance of perinatal symptom monitoring and promoting behavioral health more broadly in pregnant and postpartum women.

The Influence of Smoking on Breast feeding Among Women Who Quit Smoking During Pregnancy.

Understanding factors related to breast-feeding intention, initiation, duration, and weaning among women who quit smoking as a result of pregnancy may inform interventions to increase breast-feeding rates among women who smoke. Women (N = 300) who quit smoking as a result of pregnancy and enrolled in a postpartum relapse prevention trial were interviewed about breast-feeding intention prior to delivery. Breast-feeding initiation, duration, reasons for weaning, and relapse to smoking were assessed at 12-weeks postpartum. The majority of pregnant former smokers intended to breastfeed (68%), and actual rates of breast feeding were higher (74%). Among women who initiated breast feeding, weaning before 2 months was common (41%). For most women (69%), smoking had no effect on breast-feeding decisions. Among the 31% of women who reported that smoking influenced their feeding decisions, 83% indicated that they did not smoke or decreased smoking frequency in order to breastfeed while 17% did not breastfeed or quit breast feeding in order to smoke. Women who decided to forgo breast feeding to smoke were significantly more likely to have a high school education or less (p < .001) and to be African American (p < .0001) than those who had other reasons not to breastfeed. Most women who quit smoking during pregnancy initiate breast feeding, and the majority report smoking did not influence feeding decisions. Importantly, among women for whom smoking did influence feeding decisions, most reported changing smoking behavior to enable breast feeding. Interventions to increase breast-feeding initiation and duration may decrease postpartum relapse and improve maternal and infant health. This study extends the literature on women's perception of the influence of smoking on breast feeding by assessing breast-feeding intent, initiation, duration, and reasons for weaning longitudinally among women who quit smoking as a result of pregnancy. The results support a need for additional research to determine the effectiveness of breast feeding supports as a component of interventions to reduce postpartum smoking relapse.

Postpartum Smoking Relapse and Breast Feeding: Defining the Window of Opportunity for Intervention.

Though many women spontaneously quit smoking during pregnancy, a large proportion relapse after delivery. Efforts aimed at reducing postpartum smoking relapse have been largely ineffective. Several studies have reported breast feeding as a primary factor influencing smoking abstinence duration. However, data on the potential role of breast feeding in smoking intervention efforts remain incomplete. The Ulm SPATZ Health Study cohort consists of 1006 newborns of 970 mothers recruited in the University Medical Center Ulm, Germany. Kaplan-Meier plots, log-rank tests, and Cox proportional hazards models were used to assess differences in predominant and total breast-feeding duration stratified by smoking abstinence at 2 years and relapse period (by 6 weeks, 6 months, and 2 years postdelivery). Chi-square and Kruskal-Wallis tests were performed to identify significant differences in demographic and lifestyle factors across smoking categories. Approximately 70% of previous smokers who initiated breast feeding relapsed within 2 years. Relapse by 6 months was significantly associated with noninitiation of predominant breast feeding. Total breast-feeding duration rates among abstaining mothers and those who relapsed after 6 weeks mirrored those of nonsmokers respectively up to 1 year and 3 months. Lower age and education were mostly associated with smoking by 6 weeks. First parity and having a nonsmoking partner were associated with abstinence up to 2 years. Interventions promoting breast feeding to incentivize continued smoking abstinence may be effective prior to weaning. Those promoting breast feeding longer than 6 months and partner smoking cessation may increase rates of long-term smoking abstinence lasting longer than 2 years postdelivery. Most mothers who quit smoking during pregnancy relapse within 6 months of delivery. Though interventions targeting new mothers have been largely unsuccessful, relapse is often delayed until after weaning and targeted breast-feeding promotion has been suggested to enhance smoking cessation interventions. In this study, we assess the relationship between breast-feeding duration and long-term smoking abstinence by longitudinally investigating predominant and total breast-feeding patterns among mothers with a recent history of smoking stratified by period of relapse up to 2 years after delivery.

Progesterone and Postpartum Smoking Relapse: A Pilot Double-Blind Placebo-Controlled Randomized Trial.

Pregnancy is a strong motivator to quit smoking, yet postpartum relapse rates are high. Growing evidence suggests a role of sex hormones in drug abuse behavior and given the precipitous drop in sex hormones at delivery, they may play a role in postpartum relapse. This pilot study evaluates the feasibility and potential role of exogenous progesterone in postpartum smoking relapse. This 12-week double-blind placebo-controlled randomized pilot trial randomized 46 abstinent postpartum women to active progesterone (PRO; 200mg twice a day) versus placebo (PBO) for 4 weeks. Participants were followed for relapse for 12 weeks. Main study outcomes include abstinence (point prevalence), feasibility (compliance per number of clinic visits attended, pill counts and Electronic Data Capture [EDC] completed) and self-reported acceptability. Safety was also measured by depressive symptom scores, adverse events, and breastfeeding. Overall retention rate was 87% at week 12. At week 4, abstinence rates were 75% in the PRO group and 68.2% in the PBO group (p = .75). Medication adherence was 68% and clinic visit attendance was 80%, with no differences by randomization. Depressive symptom scores, adverse events, and breastfeeding did not vary by randomization. Although the study was not powered to evaluate abstinence rates, we did observe a higher prevalence of abstinence at week 4 in the PRO group. Further, exogenous progesterone was well tolerated and did not adversely affect depressive symptoms or breastfeeding. Thus, the results of this pilot study indicate further investigation into progesterone as a postpartum relapse prevention strategy is warranted. This innovative pilot trial determined the feasibility of delivering exogenous progesterone as a potential prevention of postpartum smoking relapse. We observed high retention and moderate adherence rates, as well as high acceptability among participants. Further, though not statistically significant, more women in the treatment group remained abstinent from smoking during follow-up. This project adds to the growing body of literature on the role of sex hormones in smoking relapse and also provides support for a fully powered clinical trial.

Preventing Postpartum Smoking Relapse: A Randomized Clinical Trial.

Most women who quit smoking during pregnancy will relapse postpartum. Previous efforts to prevent postpartum relapse have been unsuccessful at increasing rates of sustained abstinence. To evaluate the relative efficacy of 2 different approaches to prevent postpartum smoking relapse. Pregnant women who recently had quit smoking were recruited before the end of pregnancy. Intervention sessions were conducted through a combination of telephone calls and in-person visits beginning at delivery and continuing through 24 weeks postpartum. Participants completed assessments at the prenatal baseline and at 12, 24, and 52 weeks postpartum. Participants were recruited between March 2008 and December 2012. The dates of the analysis were April 2014 to February 2015. Women received postpartum-adapted, behavioral smoking relapse prevention intervention and were randomly assigned to an enhanced cognitive behavioral intervention that included additional specialized strategies and content focused on women's postpartum concerns about mood, stress, and weight (Strategies to Avoid Returning to Smoking [STARTS]) or a supportive, time and attention-controlled comparison (SUPPORT). Intervention began before delivery and continued through 24 weeks postpartum. The primary outcome was biochemically confirmed sustained tobacco abstinence at 52 weeks postpartum. Secondary outcomes were self-reported mood, levels of perceived stress, and degree of concern about smoking-related weight gain. The study cohort comprised 300 participants (150 randomly assigned to each group). Their mean (SD) age was 24.99 (5.65) years. Overall, 38.0% (114 of 300), 33.7% (101 of 300), and 24.0% (72 of 300) of the sample maintained abstinence at 12, 24, and 52 weeks' postpartum, respectively. There were no differences between the intervention groups in abstinence or time to relapse. Self-reported depressive symptoms and perceived stress significantly improved over time, and improvements were similar for both intervention groups. Women with more depressive symptoms and higher levels of perceived stress were more likely to relapse (hazard ratio, 1.02; 95% CI, 1.00-1.04; P = .04 for depressive symptoms and hazard ratio, 1.04; 95% CI, 1.01-1.07; P = .003 for stress). An intervention designed to address women's concerns about mood, stress, and weight did not differentially improve rates of sustained tobacco abstinence postpartum compared with a time and attention-controlled comparison. Women in STARTS and SUPPORT reported postpartum improvements in mood and stress, and the experience of fewer depressive symptoms and less perceived stress was related to sustained abstinence. Given that most pregnant quitters will relapse within 1 year postpartum and that postpartum smoking has negative health consequences for women and children, effective interventions that target postpartum mood and stress are needed. clinicaltrials.gov Identifier: NCT00757068.

Interventions by Health Care Professionals Who Provide Routine Child Health Care to Reduce Tobacco Smoke Exposure in Children: A Review and Meta-analysis.

Reducing child exposure to tobacco smoke is a public health priority. Guidelines recommend that health care professionals in child health settings should address tobacco smoke exposure (TSE) in children. To determine the effectiveness of interventions delivered by health care professionals who provide routine child health care in reducing TSE in children. A secondary analysis of 57 trials included in a 2014 Cochrane review and a subsequent extended search was performed. Controlled trials (published through June 2015) of interventions that focused on reducing child TSE, with no restrictions placed on who delivered the interventions, were identified. Secondary data extraction was performed in August 2015. Controlled trials of routine child health care delivered by health care professionals (physicians, nurses, medical assistants, health educators, and dieticians) that addressed the outcomes of interest (TSE reduction in children and parental smoking behaviors) were eligible for inclusion in this review and meta-analysis. Study details and quality characteristics were independently extracted by 2 authors. If outcome measures were sufficiently similar, meta-analysis was performed using the random-effects model by DerSimonian and Laird. Otherwise, the results were described narratively. The primary outcome measure was reduction in child TSE. Secondary outcomes of interest were parental smoking cessation, parental smoking reduction, and maternal postpartum smoking relapse prevention. Sixteen studies met the selection criteria. Narrative analysis of the 6 trials that measured child TSE indicated no intervention effects relative to comparison groups. Similarly, meta-analysis of 9 trials that measured parental smoking cessation demonstrated no overall intervention effect (n = 6399) (risk ratio 1.05; 95% CI, 0.74-1.50; P = .78). Meta-analysis of the 3 trials that measured maternal postpartum smoking relapse prevention demonstrated a significant overall intervention effect (n = 1293) (risk ratio 1.53; 95% CI, 1.10-2.14; P = .01). High levels of study heterogeneity likely resulted from variability in outcome measures, length of follow up, intervention strategies, and unknown intervention fidelity. Interventions delivered by health care professionals who provide routine child health care may be effective in preventing maternal smoking relapse. Further research is required to improve the effectiveness of such interventions in reducing child TSE and increasing parental smoking cessation. The findings of this meta-analysis have policy and practice implications relating to interventions by routine pediatric health care professionals that aim to reduce child exposure to tobacco smoke.

Postpartum Smoking Relapse After Quitting During Pregnancy: Pregnancy Risk Assessment Monitoring System, 2000-2011.

Relapsing to smoking postpartum jeopardizes a woman's health and her infant's health. Our study estimated the proportion and identified characteristics associated with postpartum relapse using a large population-based sample. We analyzed Pregnancy Risk Assessment Monitoring System data among women with live births. Relapse was defined as smoking at survey completion among those who quit by the last 3 months of pregnancy. We assessed linear trends for relapse during 2000-2011 in 40 sites overall and individually using logistic regression. Adjusted prevalence ratios (aPRs) were calculated to assess characteristics associated with relapse during 2009-2011 (n = 13,076). During 2000-2011, the proportion of women who relapsed postpartum remained unchanged overall (p = 0.84) and by site (p ≥ 0.05 for each), ranging in 2011 from 30.8% to 52.2% (Wyoming-Arkansas). Characteristics associated with relapse compared with reference groups were prepregnancy daily smoking (aPR = 1.80; 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.59-2.04); age <20 years (aPR = 1.51; 1.24-1.84), 20-24 years (aPR = 1.39; 1.17-1.65), or 25-34 years (aPR = 1.26; 1.07-1.48); not initiating breastfeeding (aPR = 1.34; 1.24-1.44); not having a complete home smoking ban (aPR = 1.27; 1.14-1.42); being black non-Hispanic (aPR = 1.25; 1.14-1.38); being multiparous (aPR = 1.20; 1.11-1.28); experiencing 3-5 stressors during pregnancy (aPR = 1.12; 1.01-1.24); having an unintended pregnancy (aPR = 1.11; 1.03-1.19); and having 12 years of education (aPR = 1.09; 1.01-1.17). There was no change in the proportion of women relapsing postpartum during 2000-2011. In 2011, nearly half (42%) of women relapsed after quitting smoking during pregnancy. Disparities exist by site and by maternal characteristics. A comprehensive approach maximizing tobacco control efforts and developing effective clinical interventions delivered across sectors is necessary for long-term tobacco abstinence among women.

Postpartum smoking relapse—a thematic synthesis of qualitative studies

Many women quit smoking during pregnancy, but relapse after the baby is born. To understand why and identify ways of preventing this, this study reviewed the qualitative literature on women's experience of postpartum smoking relapse. A systematic review of qualitative studies and process evaluations of trials. We undertook a thematic synthesis of published qualitative data. We screened 1336 papers. Twenty-two papers reporting on 16 studies were included, reporting on the views of 1031 postpartum women. Factors affecting relapse and barriers and facilitators to relapse prevention were identified around the key themes of beliefs, social influences, motivation, physiological factors and identity. Women's beliefs about smoking as a means of coping with stress and the need for social support, especially from a partner, emerged as important. Extrinsic motivation to quit during the pregnancy (for the health of the fetus) appeared to be a factor in prompting relapse after the baby was born. During the immediate postpartum period women believed that physiological changes influence cigarette cravings. The stress of caring for a newborn, sleeplessness and adjusting to a new mothering identity were also reported to be important. Among women who quit smoking during pregnancy, those who relapse postpartum talk commonly about no longer needing to protect the baby and the effects of stress. Partner support and a sense of changed identity are cited as factors preventing relapse.

Predictors of Changes in Smoking From Third Trimester to 9 Months Postpartum.

While much has been written about postpartum smoking relapse prevention, few have examined changes in smoking behavior from pregnancy (third trimester) through 9 months postpartum among pregnant smokers, particularly for the large number of women who decrease tobacco consumption during pregnancy but do not quit altogether. Data were obtained from 168 women who smoked during their pregnancy. Women were followed longitudinally from their first prenatal appointment through 9 months postpartum. Maternal substance use was assessed using the Timeline Followback and verified by maternal salivary analyses. Breastfeeding, other substance use, and partner smoking were assessed through maternal interviews at each time point and were considered as potential predictors of change in smoking. Women returned to more than half of their levels of preconception tobacco consumption by 9 months postpartum. There was one significant predictor of changes in smoking patterns pregnancy to postpartum. Women who breastfed their infants for at least 90 days smoked far less postpartum than women who breastfed for a short time or did not breastfeed at all. As noted in previous research of pregnant quitters, postpartum relapse prevention or harm reduction interventions should ideally be timed early in the postpartum period. Additionally, promoting breastfeeding among pregnant smokers and supporting women through at least 3 months of breastfeeding may be beneficial to such interventions.

Differences between recent quitters and current smokers during pregnancy

Differences between recent quitters and current smokers during pregnancy

A content analysis of self-reported barriers and facilitators to preventing postpartum smoking relapse among a sample of current and former smokers in an underserved population.

To characterize the barriers and facilitators thatprevent postpartum relapse and maintain smoking abstinence among a socioeconomically underserved population, recruited through Philadelphia-area women, infants, and children clinics, in-person interviews were conducted with 30 women who had quit smoking for one or more pregnancies in the past 3 years to retrospectively describe their attempts to remain abstinent during the postpartum period. Responses were analysed using the constructs from the Cognitive-Social Health Information Processing model, which identifies the cognitive, affective and behavioral factors involved in goal-oriented self-regulatory actions, in the context of a vulnerable population of women. Motherhood demands were a significant source of relapse stress. Stresses associated with partner and family relationships also contributed to relapse. The presence of other smokers in the environment was mentioned by many women in our sample as affecting their ability to remain smoke-free postpartum. Participants reported four main strategies that helped them to successfully cope with postpartum cravings and relapses, including being informed of smoking risks, maintaining goal-oriented thoughts, focusing on their concerns about the baby's health and receiving positive social support from families and friends. Results provide guidance for the design of smoking relapse interventions that may address the unique stressors reported by underserved postpartum women.

A content analysis of attributions for resuming smoking or maintaining abstinence in the post-partum period.

A significant proportion of women who self-quit smoking during pregnancy subsequently relapse to smoking post-partum. This study examined free-text responses describing attributions of smoking relapse or maintained abstinence at 1, 8, and 12 months post-partum. This study reports secondary analyses from a randomized clinical trial (N = 504) for preventing post-partum smoking relapse. At each follow-up, one survey item asked the participant to describe why she resumed smoking or what helped her maintain abstinence. A thematic content analysis was conducted on responses from the 472 participants (94.0 % of the original sample) who returned at least 1 survey. Content analyses revealed several themes for participants' reasons for relapse and abstinence. Stress was the most frequently cited reason for smoking relapse across all follow-ups. Health concerns for children and family was the most common reason provided for remaining abstinent. Chi square analyses revealed differences in written responses related to income, age, and depressive symptoms. Overall, these findings suggest that during the post-partum period, stress and familial health concerns are perceived contributors to smoking relapse and abstinence, respectively. These results confirmed key risk and protective factors that have been identified through other assessment modalities (e.g., quantitative surveys and focus groups). They also provide support for targeting these variables in the development, content, and delivery of future post-partum smoking relapse-prevention interventions. The high response rate to these open-ended attribution questions suggests that future studies would benefit from including these and similar items to allow for additional insight into participant perspectives.

Strategies to Avoid Returning to Smoking (STARTS): A randomized controlled trial of postpartum smoking relapse prevention interventions

The majority of women who quit smoking during pregnancy relapse postpartum and many experience increased depressive symptoms and concerns about body shape and weight. Given the relationship of weight concerns and negative mood to smoking relapse, interventions designed to address the postpartum experience are indicated. However, there are several challenges to research with postpartum women. We describe the rationale of a randomized controlled trial of postpartum smoking relapse prevention intervention and discuss methods to address the specific challenges to recruiting, retaining and conducting health behavior interventions among postpartum former smokers. Pregnant women who had quit smoking for at least one month prior to the 34week of pregnancy and who were motivated to stay quit postpartum were recruited. Women were randomized either to a postpartum specific intervention designed to address concerns about mood, stress and weight using cognitive-behavioral techniques or to a support-only condition designed to control for time and attention. Intervention continues through six months postpartum and women complete follow-up assessments at 12-, 24- and 52-weeks after delivery. Women (n=300) who had quit smoking as a result of pregnancy were recruited and are being followed. The intervention described in this report is designed to address stress, negative mood and concerns about weight that mediate smoking relapse postpartum to sustain abstinence and improve maternal and infant health.

Postpartum smoking relapse among women who quit during pregnancy: Cross‐sectional study in Japan

To determine the postpartum smoking relapse rate among women in Japan who quit smoking during pregnancy and to clarify factors related to smoking relapse. A self-administered questionnaire survey was conducted as a cross-sectional study of all mothers of children who underwent health checkups after birth in randomly selected municipalities in Japan from May to July 2009. Using valid data of 20,601 mothers, smoking rate was calculated. In addition, χ(2) -test and multiple logistic regression analysis were used to clarify related factors to the smoking relapse. The smoking rates among women were 15.8% at the time when they became pregnant, 5.1% during pregnancy and 11.3% after giving birth. Among women who smoked at the time they became pregnant, the smoking rate during pregnancy was 31.1%. Among women who quit smoking during pregnancy, the postpartum smoking relapse rate was 41.0%. The odds ratios (95% confidence interval) for factors in smoking relapse were 0.72 (0.60-0.88) for women spending time with their child in a relaxed mood, 0.67 (0.47-0.94) for women having someone to talk to on the Internet about childrearing, 1.94 (1.60-2.35) for women who worked and 3.37 (2.61-4.35) for women whose partner smoked after they gave birth. It is hoped that future research will establish methods to further support smoking cessation and the continuation of smoking cessation after childbirth, and develop mechanisms to spread knowledge about the harm of smoking in society and encourage women not to start.

Pathways linking socioeconomic status and postpartum smoking relapse.

Low socioeconomic status (SES) exacerbates the high rate of smoking relapse in women following childbirth. This study examined multiple models of potential mechanisms linking SES and postpartum smoking relapse among women who quit smoking due to pregnancy. Participants were 251 women enrolled in a randomized clinical trial of a new postpartum smoking relapse prevention intervention. Four models of the prepartum mechanisms linking SES and postpartum smoking relapse were evaluated using a latent variable modeling approach. Each of the hypothesized models were a good fit for the data. As hypothesized, SES indirectly influenced postpartum smoking relapse through increased prepartum negative affect/stress, reduced sense of agency, and increased craving for cigarettes. However, the model that included craving as the sole final pathway between SES and relapse demonstrated superior fit when compared with all other models. Findings have implications for future interventions that aim to reduce postpartum relapse.

Factors Associated With Smoking Relapse in the Postpartum Period: An Analysis of the Child Health Surveillance System Data in Southeast England

There is increasing evidence that a high proportion (47%-63%) of women who quit smoking during pregnancy relapse during the postpartum period. The purpose of this population-based study was to examine the association between selected sociodemographic factors and smoking relapse in the early postpartum period (within the first 6 weeks) in women who had successfully quit smoking during the pregnancy. The study included 512 women resident in East Sussex, United Kingdom, who had quit smoking during the pregnancy. Information on the prevalence of smoking and selected sociodemographic factors and breast feeding at the 6-weeks postpartum review by health visitor was obtained from the Child Health Surveillance System, which records and monitors the health and development of children from birth until school entry. Of the 512 women who had quit smoking during the pregnancy, 238 (46.5%) relapsed in the early postpartum period. In the bivariate analysis, there was an association between deprivation and smoking relapse in the early postpartum period (OR = 5.3, 95% CI: 2.5-11.4), with a significant trend in increasing risk of relapse with increasing level of deprivation (p < .01). Stepwise logistic regression analysis showed that women who lived in deprived urban areas (OR = 2.3, 95% CI: 1.2-4.2), had ≥3 children (OR = 3.8, 95% CI: 2.2-6.4), and had other smokers in the household (OR = 5.6, 95% CI: 3.6-8.8) were significantly more likely to relapse in the early postpartum period. On the other hand, women who were breast feeding were significantly less likely to relapse (OR = 0.6, 95% CI: 0.4-0.9). Factors associated with early postpartum smoking relapse identified in this study, particularly breast feeding, high parity, and concurrent smoking by partner/other household member(s), may contribute to the development of effective and targeted interventions to maintain smoking cessation in women and their household.

Self-help booklets for preventing postpartum smoking relapse: a randomized trial.

We tested a series of self-help booklets designed to prevent postpartum smoking relapse. We recruited 700 women in months 4 through 8 of pregnancy, who quit smoking for their pregnancy. We randomized the women to receive either (1) 10 Forever Free for Baby and Me (FFB) relapse prevention booklets, mailed until 8 months postpartum, or (2) 2 existing smoking cessation materials, as a usual care control (UCC). Assessments were completed at baseline and at 1, 8, and 12 months postpartum. We received baseline questionnaires from 504 women meeting inclusion criteria. We found a main effect for treatment at 8 months, with FFB yielding higher abstinence rates (69.6%) than UCC (58.5%). Treatment effect was moderated by annual household income and age. Among lower income women (< $30 000), treatment effects were found at 8 and 12 months postpartum, with respective abstinence rates of 72.2% and 72.1% for FFB and 53.6% and 50.5% for UCC. No effects were found for higher income women. Self-help booklets appeared to be efficacious and offered a low-cost modality for providing relapse-prevention assistance to low-income pregnant and postpartum women.

Association Between Smoking Cessation Interventions During Prenatal Care and Postpartum Relapse: Results from 2004 to 2008 Multi-State PRAMS Data

Cigarette smoking is a serious global public health issue, and is particularly harmful to the maternal and child population. The study aimed to determine if there was an association between smoking cessation intervention during pregnancy and postpartum smoking relapse, and to define a time trend of postpartum smoking relapse after delivery. Data from the 2004-2008 pregnancy risk assessment monitoring systems of Colorado, Maine, Ohio, and Washington were analyzed. Logistic regression was used to define the association between smoking cessation intervention and postpartum smoking relapse, and to identify trend of postpartum smoking relapse. Analyses were done using SAS-Callable SUDAAN v.10.0 and Mplus v.6.0. Among the 2,938 women in the study the relapse rate was 48%. It was 45% among those without intervention, 58% among those who received only counseling, and 57% among those who received both counseling with treatment and/or referral. The rate was 42, 61, and 67% among women whose infants were at 2-3, 4-5, and 6months or more, respectively. Adjusted logistic regression models showed a trend of increased smoking relapse, but did not indicate an association between smoking cessation intervention and smoking relapse. Rates of smoking relapse were high and increased by time after delivery. Smoking cessation intervention during pregnancy may not be successful at preventing postpartum smoking relapse.

Reducing Postpartum Smoking Relapse Through the Use of Incentives

Approximately 40% of women who smoke tobacco quit smoking during pregnancy, yet up to 85% relapse after birth. The risks for mother and infant are well known, during the pregnancy and through secondhand smoke postpartum. The implementation of monthly counseling sessions and the incentive of a free case of diapers can drastically reduce relapse rates.