If you smoke cigarettes and found out you are pregnant, giving up tobacco products is probably the absolute best thing you can do for your baby. It not only minimizes the number of health risks to your newborn, it gives you extra years to spend with them down the road.
Smoking Facts
Quitting isn’t easy, but it isn’t impossible. According to the CDC, more people are addicted to nicotine than any other drug. CDC numbers also estimate there are more ex-smokers than current smokers. It may take a few times, and that’s okay. About three-quarters of people who try to stop smoking relapse.
Quitting at any point during your pregnancy is better than never quitting at all. Furthermore, although it is definitely not safe to smoke any cigarettes while pregnant, smoking fewer cigarettes is better than smoking more. More cigarettes correlate to a higher chance your baby will be faced with problems that develop as a result of maternal smoking.
Know the Risks
Smoking throughout your pregnancy is not only bad for your baby, it can actually make things harder for you. Some studies have shown that cigarette smokers not only have a more difficult time getting pregnant, they face a more difficult delivery. It can also make pregnant moms more likely to develop blood clots, particularly when combined with heightened hormones. And that’s setting aside all the long term consequences cigarettes have on smokers.
When it comes to your baby, the risk is even higher. Babies born to mothers who smoke are more likely to be born prematurely, have a low birth weight, develop respiratory issues, and be at risk for sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS). Also called "crib death," SIDS is the inexplicable death of an infant under 12 months who seems otherwise perfectly healthy. It generally occurs while the baby is asleep. Smoking while pregnant also decreases the amount of oxygen available to both mother and child, and the practice speeds up fetal heart rates. Experts also suggest smoking increases the chances of a miscarriage. Additionally, cigarettes can increase the chances of certain developmental or learning disabilities in children.
Get Started Stopping
The sooner you start quitting, the sooner both you and your baby will start reaping the benefits of a nicotine-free body. It takes about two weeks for withdrawal symptoms to go away. These symptoms may include insatiable hunger, irritability, difficulty concentrating, and of course—craving cigarettes. Remember your reasons for quitting and that cravings pass whether or not you give in.
There are a number of programs available for cigarette smokers who want to quit but aren’t sure how. These programs can provide you with help, literature, and tips for success. However, the CDC also reports that "most former smokers quit without using one of the treatments that scientific research has shown can work." Talk to your family doctor or obstetrician about the best ways for you.
Many smoking cessation programs make use of prescription medications, like Chantix, nicotine gums, and patches. While the use of these products has not been evaluated for safety in pregnant women, if you are finding it impossible to quit smoking, and the benefits of not smoking outweigh the risks of these products, they may be appropriate. Always talk to your obstetrician before using any.
A few tips to make quitting more successful:
- Throw out ashtrays, lighters, and any other paraphernalia before you even start quitting.
- Stay away from others who smoke for at least the first few weeks (although it’s best to avoid second-hand smoke during pregnancy, too).
- If your significant other also smokes, decide to quit smoking together.
- Keep busy. Pick up a new hobby, start arranging your nursery, or take a pregnancy-friendly workout class.
- Stock your house with healthy foods to avoid unhealthy weight gain.
- Make a list of your reasons for quitting, and put it someplace obvious.
- Keep mints, gum, or hard candy on hand.
Smoking Cessation Programs and Guides
- Toll-free Quitline: 1-800-QUIT-NOW
- Department of Health and Human Services
- Help for Smokers and Other Tobacco Users
- BeTobaccoFree.gov
- SmokeFreeWomen
- American Cancer Society
- Smoking Cessation for Pregnancy and Beyond: A Virtual Clinic
