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Pregnancy
Smoking in pregnancy
Now is a really good time to stop smoking. As a mum-to-be, stopping smoking means you’re doing the best for your baby. Not only that but you’ll feel better, have more energy and save money all at the same time.
When mums-to-be smoke so do their babies
If you smoke when you’re pregnant, you increase the risk of stillbirth, miscarriage and of your baby being born too early. Every cigarette you smoke sends harmful chemicals through the placenta to your baby – depriving them of oxygen and forcing their tiny heart to beat faster.
Benefits of going smoke-free:
- Fewer complications for mums-to-be and the baby in pregnancy and labour
- You’ll feel great knowing you’re giving your baby the best start in life
- Money saved not buying cigarettes is a real bonus
Smoking puts your baby’s health at risk:
- Increases the risk of stillbirth and miscarriage
- Can cause your baby to be born early
- Increased risk of your baby having asthma, as well as ear, nose and throat problems
- Increased risk of your baby developing behavioural difficulties, including attention and hyperactivity problems
What would you like to know?
You might be using e-cigarettes instead of tobacco but it’s important to know that medical experts still don’t know if using e-cigarettes during pregnancy is safe. The safest choice is for mums-to-be to avoid using e-cigarettes altogether. Free help and support is available to help you quit e-cigarettes – this can include nicotine replacement therapies which are safe to use in pregnancy.
No, the placenta doesn’t filter out chemicals from cigarette smoke. Smoking damages your placenta which means your baby doesn’t get the right amount of oxygen, and may affect their development.
There is no evidence that quitting smoking when pregnant harms your baby. In fact, it’s one of the best things you can do for yourself and for your new arrival. As soon as you quit, the benefits are immediate. Your baby will get more oxygen and you’ll reduce the risk of miscarriage, premature birth and other pregnancy complications.
Yes, it’s never too late to stop smoking. As soon as you quit, your baby will feel the benefits. In just 48 hours of stopping, the harmful carbon monoxide will be out of both you, and your baby’s, system.
Have a chat with your midwife or GP if you have any questions about smoking and pregnancy.
If your partner, or anyone else who lives with you, is a smoker then their smoke can affect you and your baby. Second-hand smoke can harm your baby’s development and can even increase the risk of cot death. Now is a great time to make a positive change and support each other to quit. It’s not easy, but if you do it together it means you’ll be twice as determined. There’s free support available to help both of you stop smoking – so get help and quit together for good.
Get help and quit for good
With face-to-face support you’re more likely to quit for good. Smokefree Liverpool offer a range of support for mums-to-be including:
- Free support from a friendly, specialist advisor from the comfort of your own home, or one-to-one support across a range of locations
- Free nicotine replacement therapy products (such as patches, gums, inhalators) which will help manage cravings
Find out more...
You can find out more by visiting the following websites
Smokefree Liverpool
A free confidential service to help Liverpool residents quit smoking tobacco or e-cigarettes, no matter how many times you’ve tried before.
NHS pregnancy and baby guide
Information from the NHS on the effects smoking when pregnant and the benefits of stopping smoking in pregnancy.
Quit the Ciggies
A local site offering motivation for women looking to chuck the ciggies. The site features true stories from local women who have quit, with hints and tips.
24 Magic Months
This free app was created to guide parents and carers through the first 2 years of a child’s life with trusted, simple tips and advice from healthcare professionals and parents.
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