THE number of women in the Bradford district smoking during the final stages of pregnancy fell slightly last year, but the figure remained stubbornly high compared to the national average.

Statistics released yesterday showed that 1,239 pregnant women across the district still classed themselves as smokers at the time of giving birth in the 12 months to March 2015.

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The Bradford Districts Clinical Commissioning Group area - covering Bingley, Shipley, Saltaire, Heaton and Tong, had the highest rate of smoking mums-to-be in the district at 18.6 per cent - or 838 women. But this has fallen slightly compared with a year earlier, which saw a rate of 19.5 per cent recorded.

The current rate, however, is still far higher than the West Yorkshire average of 14 per cent and the national average of 11.4 per cent. It is also the second highest in West Yorkshire, behind Wakefield at 19.7 per cent. In addition the Government aims to reduce smoking in pregnancy to 11 per cent or less nationally by the end of 2015.

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The Health and Social Care Information Centre figures also show an annual decrease in the number of smoking pregnant women in the Bradford City CCG area, which covers the city centre.

Data shows the rate has dropped from 10.2 to 9.3 per cent over the same time period, with 203 expectant mothers found to be still smoking in the last year.

In the Airedale, Wharfedale, and Craven CCG area the figure has also fallen from 12.9 per cent to 12.6 per cent on last year, as 198 mums-to-be were found to still be smoking at the time of having their baby.

Councillor Ralph Berry, executive member for health and social care at Bradford Council, said: “Although it is good news that fewer women are smoking at the time of delivery, there is much more work to be done to protect the district’s unborn babies from the effects of smoking.

“We are aware of the difference in the rates of women smoking at the time of delivery across the district and target support and resources in areas with higher smoking rates.

“Public health are working with Bradford Teaching Hospital Foundation Trust (BTHFT) to commission a midwifery based stop smoking service to provide a specialist Midwife to act as a source of expertise and advice.

Shirley Brierley, consultant in public health for Bradford Council, said the issue was one of key areas of focus for 2015/16 within the Every Baby Matters Action plan which aims to reduce infant deaths and improve maternal and child health overall.

“Protecting your baby from tobacco smoke is one of the best things you can do to give your child a healthy start in life. The sooner you stop smoking the better and even stopping in the last few weeks of your pregnancy will benefit you and your baby," she said.

“The public health department works with local GPs, hospitals, children’s centres and other partners to provide stop smoking support to women who are pregnant or planning to have a baby.”

“Midwives are key to helping pregnant women quit smoking and, at their first appointment, all women are asked about their smoking status and a carbon monoxide screening is carried out.”