A pregnant woman who is nearly three months smoke-free is encouraging others to give up smoking after receiving "outstanding" support from a specialist maternity service in Oxford.

Zarah Jaggs, 32, from Banbury, is one of more than 100 pregnant women being supported on their smoking cessation journey by the Oxford University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust (OUH) Specialist Maternity Tobacco Dependency Service, which opened to referrals in January.

Smoking is the single greatest modifiable risk factor for poor outcomes in pregnancy, according to the NHS, with nearly one in 10 women still smoking when their baby is born.

The free OUH service provides behavioural support and nicotine replacement products, helping pregnant women across Oxfordshire to quit smoking tobacco and to give them and their babies the best outcomes in pregnancy.

Ms Jaggs, a mother-of-three who is expecting her next baby in January 2025, has smoked most of her life and was referred to the service through her midwife.

Her treatment has included weekly nicotine replacement therapy meetings and the use of a vape and chewing gum.

She said she started smoking as a "crutch" to deal with stress before it became "a habit I couldn’t break".

However, Ms Jaggs is now nearly three months smoke-free and, speaking during Stoptober, is encouraging other pregnant women to get the support they need.

She said: "My quit journey is going very well - I am now smoke-free and getting healthier.

"I had tried to quit many times over the years but it never stuck.

"Just before I found out I was pregnant, a close family member got mouth cancer and that made me realise I needed to quit and be there for my children.

"As somebody who thought I would never be able to quit, but am now able to say that I’m smoke-free, is amazing.

"The support I have received and continue to receive is outstanding.

"If you feel ready to quit, please do ask your midwife for a referral."

More than 100 pregnant women have accepted support since the OUH Specialist Maternity Tobacco Dependency Service launched.

Details of the service, which provides support throughout pregnancy and the postnatal period, are shared at the start of the pregnancy and an automatic referral can be sent, if appropriate.

The service then makes contact to offer support. Referrals can be made via any member of the maternity team at any point during pregnancy.

The team of six provide a 12-week programme that includes one-to-one support, information about useful products, and help with setting a quit date.

It also offers discussions on dealing with triggers and difficult situations.