Healthy You, Healthy Bump!
24 January, 2014
Hull aims to reduce pregnancy complications
The problems associated with obesity and smoking are widespread and these issues are affecting couples who want to start a family. Recent headlines have highlighted the impact this is having on maternity units and the added pressure this brings to the NHS.
City Health Care Partnership CIC (CHCP CIC) has a range of FREE and accessible services for prospective mothers and fathers in Hull to improve their health, increase their chances of conceiving and reduce the risk of complications during pregnancy, for both mother and baby.
Levels of obesity and smoking in Hull are some of the highest in the country;the number of obese women in Hull currently stands at 28% which is 1.9% higher than the national average for England (Hull’s 2011-12 Adult Health and Lifestyle Survey, 2013). In 2012-13 the number of pregnant women in Hull with a BMI over 30 was 945.
There are many problems linked to obesity and smoking in pregnancy; high blood pressure, thrombosis, miscarriage, premature birth, birth injury and bleeding. There are also links between obesity/smoking and conception for both men and women.
Obese women who lose 5 to 10 % of their bodyweight can experience significant health benefits and increase their chances of becoming pregnant. Stopping smoking can improve the sperm count in men and increase a woman’s ability to conceive and will also benefit the health of an unborn baby
Dr Kate Guthrie Medical Director of City Health Care Partnership CIC and Consultant Gynaecologist says:
“Everyone wants control of their own fertility and for their child to have the best start in life. Lifestyle changes can be tough but they work and can last a lifetime.”
City Health Care Partnership CIC (CHCP CIC) have a wide range of FREE weight loss services to support people to lose weight in a way that suits them including 1–2-1 support, drop in sessions, group sessions and digital services. The specialist stop smoking services offers easy to access support with FREE Nicotine Replacement Therapy like patches or gum. They also offer a Smoke Free Family Team who can help pregnant women and their families stop smoking.
As Heidi Henrickson Senior Operations Manager of Public Health Services emphasises;
“The advisors within our services are trained to help those who are struggling for a family to make practical changes to their lifestyle for good. They work with their clients to find realistic changes that will improve their lifestyle and increase their chances of fertility. They listen, discuss, motivate and will never judge an individual or their circumstances”.
All the services offered are FREE to people living in Hull and are offered six days a week. Appointments are not always necessary as there are many drop in sessions and home visits can be arranged for pregnant women through the Smokefree Families Team. Award winning digital services online and on mobile phones are also available offering support 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
For further information on any of the services please call 01482 335209 or Text BUMP to 61825 (normal network rates apply).
