Motherhood has put smoking into perspective for one first-time mum who is encouraging other pregnant woman to quit.

Amy Paki, who gave birth to a baby girl Marewa on August 1, says the experience of pregnancy and motherhood has been life changing.

New mum Amy Paki with baby Marewa and midwife Natasha Rawiri with one of the six carbon monoxide monitors being used throughout the Bay of Plenty District health Board's maternity departments. Supplied Photo.

'I look at her and think why would I want to smoke?” says the 32-year-old who's been smoking since the age of 18. 'This is my first baby and it puts things into perspective.”

Since the birth of her daughter Amy has encouraged other members of her family to ditch the cigarettes, as well as laying down the law – no-one is allowed to smoke around baby Marewa.

Amy has been using one of six carbon monoxide monitors purchased by the Bay of Plenty District Health Board's maternity department.

The machines give pregnant smokers an immediate reading of their carbon monoxide levels and what those levels mean for the health of their unborn child. They work in the same way as a breathalyzer, with the mum-to-be delivering a long, slow breath into it.

Staff then use the reading to establish the woman's smoking dependence and plan the best treatment for her.

BOPDHB Midwife Natasha Rawiri says Amy's response is not uncommon – one expectant mum burst into tears the first time she used one of the monitors.

'The reading wasn't exceptionally high but it was enough to make her stop and think,” she says.

'A lot of the comments we get are that having the figures staring you in the face, physically seeing them and knowing what that means, really makes it sink in.”

Smoking during pregnancy has been linked to growth restriction, hypoxia, foetal death, foetal brain damage, SUDI (Sudden Unexpected Death in Infancy) and pre-term birth.

Natasha explains smoking lowers the levels of oxygen in your blood and for pregnant women that means their babies are not getting the oxygen they need, which can have a range of impacts depending on the level.”

The use of nicotine replacement therapy is often recommended for pregnant women who are unable to stop smoking on their own, she adds.

'We would encourage any pregnant woman who smokes to use the machine,” said Natasha. 'It spells out where you are and where you should be.”

For advice on giving up smoking call Quitline on 0800 778 778.