Smoking during pregnancy poses significant risks to both the mother and baby. Quitting or avoiding smoking entirely is strongly recommended, and even exposure to secondhand smoke can harm the fetus. Here are the main reasons:
- Protects fetal growth and reduces premature birth risk
- Smoking is linked to restricted fetal growth and a higher chance of preterm delivery, which can lead to various health problems for newborns.
- Low birth weight and congenital issues
- Babies born to mothers who smoke are more likely to have low birth weight and related health complications.
- Increased risk of sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS)
- Prenatal and postnatal exposure to tobacco smoke raises the risk of SIDS.
- Respiratory and developmental impacts
- Maternal smoking during pregnancy is associated with poorer lung function, wheezing, asthma, and other visual and developmental issues in children.
- Fertility and pregnancy complications
- Smoking can reduce fertility and increase risks of pregnancy loss or complications, making conception and a healthy pregnancy more challenging.
- Benefits of cessation at any point
- Stopping smoking at any stage of pregnancy improves outcomes for both mother and baby, with the greatest benefit if cessation occurs early in gestation.
What to do if currently pregnant or planning pregnancy
- Quit as early as possible; it’s never too late to benefit the baby and mother. Seek resources and support for smoking cessation tailored to pregnancy, such as counseling, nicotine replacement therapy options discussed with a healthcare provider, and avoidance of environmental tobacco smoke.
- Consider evidence-based cessation support
- Healthcare providers can offer guidance on safe cessation strategies during pregnancy and can help address cravings, stress, and social factors that influence smoking.
If you’d like, I can tailor this information to your location or provide a brief step-by-step plan for discussing cessation with your clinician.
