Data and Methods: Data are from the 1998 and 1999 Central New York Regional Perinatal Data System (RPDS), N=39,452. The RPDS is a population-based birth registry, which captures information throughout the 15 county Central New York region. This timely database uses as its foundation the New York State Electronic Birth Certificiate, and collects additional information on selected variables such as breastfeeding, stress, and intentions of pregnancy. In this study, bivariate analyses compare smoking during pregnancy by intent to breastfeed, intentions of pregnancy, stress, timing of entry into prenatal care, clinic and private prenatal care settings, and maternal demographic and socioeconomic characteristics. Multivariate regression analyses are then used to study the association between smoking and intent to breastfeed, stress, and intentions of pregnancy, controlling for prenatal care and maternal factors.

Policy Implications: The association between smoking during pregnancy and breastfeeding, as well as stress and intentions of pregnancy may shed light on interventions that could be utilized to reduce smoking during pregnancy. Interventions aimed at reducing stress or unintended pregnancy may want to include a smoking reduction component. Smoking reduction interventions may want to take into account psychosocial issues, such as stress or unintended pregnancy.