NEW figures show that fewer women in the North-East are smoking during pregnancy.

Statistics show that between April and June 2014 the percentage of North-East women who were smoking at the time they give birth had fallen from 20 per cent to 18 per cent compared to the same period last year.

This is a significantly bigger fall than the national reduction of 0.5 per cent.

But despite this progress Fresh, the North-East tobacco control office, is warning that hundreds of mums-to-be could still be faced with tragedy unless they quit.

Fresh is pleading with pregnant smokers to give their baby the best start in life by getting the support they need to go smoke-free.

Smoking is one of the biggest risks to the health of unborn babies, depriving them of vital oxygen and cutting off the supply of nutrients they need to grow properly.

It is estimated that 360 lives are lost every year in the region due to smoking-related miscarriages.

As well as being a major cause of stillbirth and premature birth, the poisons found in tobacco smoke can also increase the risk of cot death, birth defects and behavioural problems.

While one in five women continue to smoke during pregnancy in the region, compared to one in eight nationally, a major initiative in every North-East hospital trusts is helping more mums-to-be quit.

babyClear ensures every woman smoking during pregnancy is now given full and frank information from a trained health professional about the harmful effects of carbon monoxide (CO) and support to quit.

Lisa Surtees, acting director of Fresh, said: “"Smoking is an addiction that usually starts in childhood. Women need the facts but also to know there is excellent free support to quit smoking where they will be supported and helped, not have the finger wagged at them.”

Stacey Mawson, 24, a care worker from Leadgate village in County Durham, left her first Stop Smoking Service appointment in tears after learning of the harm smoking was doing to her unborn baby. Now smoke-free, she is looking forward to her first family Christmas with her nine-month-old baby boy Shay.

“I was so shocked to learn that I was putting my baby’s life at risk that I left the clinic in tears. I was really scared that my smoking had stopped him from getting the oxygen and nutrients he needed to breathe and grow properly.

“Within a few days, my partner Shaun and I had quit smoking for the sake of our baby. His health was the most important thing to us and motivated us both to stay stopped.

“When Shay was born he was 6lb 11oz. I was so relieved that he was healthy, but I do put his low birth weight down to me smoking during those first 20 weeks.”