Mum who smoked while pregnant and lost two babies warns: “Don’t make my mistake”

A woman who lost two babies after smoking during pregnancy has warned other women against making the same mistake.

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by Fiona Day |
Published on

Sophie Jones smoked up to 25 cigarettes during two pregnancies, losing her firstborn son Frankie at just four-days old in 2006 as well as her younger son Korey, who was tragically stillborn in 2011.

The 31-year-old has now spoken out about losing her babies, saying she feels responsible after refusing to give up her smoking habit during each of the pregnancies.

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Sophie told The Mirror: "It is absolutely devastating to lose two children as you never expect that to happen. When I go to tidy up their graves I think I should be tidying their bedrooms not their gravesides.

"I think about them both every day, but it's particularly sad at this time of year because on Christmas day I think there should be two more piles of presents."

Smoking during pregnancy has been proven as harmful (stock image)
Smoking during pregnancy has been proven as harmful (stock image)

Sophie is now 20 weeks pregnant with her fifth child, and has managed to quit smoking for the sake of her unborn child.

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She said: I've experienced the worst possible heartache that no parent should have to go through. Losing my baby boy Korey as a stillbirth is one of my biggest regrets and continues to haunt me to this day.

"I never fully understood the risks of smoking while pregnant. I just thought it led to a smaller baby. How wrong I was. I cut down when I fell pregnant, but obviously that wasn't enough to save my baby."

According to research at Durham University, smoking during pregnancy can increase the likelihood of a child becoming a victim of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome.

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Smoking deprives the baby of oxygen, making them vulnerable to numerous health problems, including birth defects and behavioural problems.

For advice on how to quite smoking, contact www.nhs.uk/smokefree

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