“breathe for life” at healthy start

“Breathe For Life”at Healthy Start

Alise Gintner, LCSWManager of Community Perinatal

ProgramsUnity Health System &

The Perinatal Network of Monroe County

What is Breathe For Life?

A perinatal quit smoking and relapse prevention program that focuses on smoking cessation services combined with relaxation techniques and stress reduction interventions.

Smoking & Pregnancy

The U.S. Surgeon General has reported that eliminating smoking during pregnancy could prevent 10 percent of all infant deaths due to perinatal conditions.

Theoretical Frameworks of

Breathe For Life

Dr. Herbert Benson’s “Relaxation Response”.The “5 A’s”.The Stages of Change

The Fight or Flight Response

Anxiety and tension can trigger the fight or flight response which releases adrenaline, epinephrine and norepinephrine into the body causing:

• Increased heart rate• Increased breathing rate• Increased blood pressure• Increased metabolic rate

Stressful Life Events and Physiological Changes

When we are faced with situations that require adjustment of our

behavior (like quitting smoking) the fight or flight response is

triggered.

The “Relaxation Response”

When the mind is focused, whether through meditation or other repetitive mental activities, the body responds with a dramatic:

• Decrease in heart rate• Decrease in breathing rate• Decrease in blood pressure• Decrease in metabolic rate

Coping with Stress

The fight or flight response can be balanced with the relaxation response.

In other words: Mind-focusing relaxation techniques can be used to decrease the impact of stressful life experiences.

Mind-Focusing Relaxation Techniques

Deep Breathing


Meditation


Progressive MuscleRelaxation


Guided Imagery


Yoga


Sand Mandalas

The 5 A’sAn evidence-based clinical approach to helping pregnant women quit smoking.Consists of a 5 to 15 minute counseling session. Includes providing the patient/client with pregnancy specific quit-smoking help materials.

The 5 A’s

• ASK about smoking behavior• ADVISE about the risks of smoking• ASSESS her willingness to quit• ASSIST her with ways to quit by

teaching skills and providing support• ARRANGE follow-up appointments to

provide ongoing support or a referral for more intensive services if needed.

The Stages of Change Model

Behavior change is rarely a discrete, single event. Most individuals move gradually from being uninterested in change, to considering a change, to deciding and preparing to make a change.

The Stages of Change Model

Precontemplation StageContemplation StagePreparation StageAction StageMaintenance

Precontemplation Stage

The individual does not even consider changing. Smokers who are “in denial” may not see that the advice applies to them personally or is helpful.

Contemplation Stage

The individual is ambivalent about changing. Giving up an enjoyed behavior causes them a sense of loss despite the perceived gain. During this stage, individuals assess barriers (time, expense, hassle, fear, “I know I need to, but..”) as well as the benefits of change.

Preparation Stage

The individual prepares to make a specific change. They may experiment with small changes as their determination to change increases. Switching to a different brand of cigarettes signals that they have decided a change is needed.

Action Stage

The individual takes action to change their behavior. Any positive action should be praised as it demonstrates the desire for lifestyle change.

Maintenance

Involves incorporating the new behavior (the behavior change) over the long haul.

Many individuals find themselves “recycling” through the stages of change several times before the change becomes truly established.

Relaxation & The Stages of Change

The individual must internalize relaxation coping skill to improve success rate with quitting smoking.

2008 Breathe For Life Results

Sample size = 52

•63% quit smoking

•34% decrease number of cigarettes smoked by more than half.

•3% no change.

Guided Imagery Exercise

“breathe for life” at healthy start

Documents