This study aimed to establish whether the use of motivational counselling during pregnancy would help pregnant women to stop smoking. All self-reported smokers in two Glasgow maternity hospitals were given routine information about smoking and pregnancy by the study midwives. Half of them were, in addition, offered an extra 2-5 home-based motivational interviewing sessions lasting about 30 minutes each. Their quit and reduction rate was compared with those offered information only, and self reporting was corroborated by measuring routine blood or saliva cotinine at late pregnancy follow-up compared with booking.

The researchers concluded that, even with dedicated, well-trained midwives, the offer of motivational counselling on its own did not decrease the habits of pregnant smokers.