If you’re pregnant, you probably know that smoking cigarettes, vaping or using other tobacco products is a health threat for you and your baby. Many women make it a goal to quit during this time in their lives.
It’s most helpful for you and your baby to quit using tobacco before you get pregnant. But if you’re already pregnant, quitting can still help protect you and your baby from health problems.
If you are pregnant or planning to have a baby and trying to quit, call or enroll with Missouri Tobacco Quit Services at 1-800-QUIT-NOW and you can receive these free services:
Though quitting tobacco can be hard, the benefits are worth it: you’ll increase your chances of having a healthy baby; breathe better and be surprised how much easier it is to be active.
Missouri Tobacco Quit Services can help you through the quit process with no judgement and stigma, but with encouragement and compassion.
Are e-cigarettes safer than regular cigarettes in pregnancy?
Although the aerosol of e-cigarettes generally has fewer harmful substances than cigarette smoke, e-cigarettes and other products containing nicotine are not safe to use during pregnancy. Nicotine is a health danger for pregnant women and developing babies and can damage a developing baby’s brain and lungs. Also, some of the flavorings used in e-cigarettes may be harmful to a developing baby according to the CDC. Learn more here.
Know the Risks
Smoking, vaping, and tobacco use during pregnancy and the post-partum period can be harmful to both you and your baby’s health. Smoking, using e-cigarettes or other products containing nicotine are not safe to use during pregnancy. When you use tobacco while pregnant there are increased risks to you and your baby.
Risks for Women
- Tobacco use is the leading cause of preventable disease and death among women in the United States.
- Increased chance of developing cardiovascular disease
- Increased risk of lung cancer
Risks for Your Pregnancy
- Increased risk of giving birth too early
- Increased risk of having a baby with a low, unhealthy birth weight
- Increased risk of miscarriage, pre-term labor, or stillbirth
- Increased risk of complications with the placenta, the organ that helps your baby grow and develop
Amanda struggled with smoking when she was pregnant. This is her story.
Short Term Risks for Your Baby
- Increased risk of giving birth too early
- Increased risk of having a baby with a low, unhealthy birth weight
- Increased risk of miscarriage, pre-term labor, or stillbirth
- Increased risk of complications with the placenta, the organ that helps your baby grow and develop
Long Term Risks for Your Baby
- Increased risk of developing behavioral problems such as Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD)
- May have poor reading and math skills
- Increased risk of using tobacco themselves
- May experience stunted growth
Post-Partum
The post-partum period can be difficult, beautiful and an overwhelming time in any parent’s life. It can be easy to want to lean on old coping mechanisms when the stress increases. The highest rate of relapse for women who quit or cut back on their tobacco use during pregnancy is from birth to 6 months post-partum. Missouri Tobacco Quit Services staff are here to help you find success in your quit attempt even if life gets stressful.
Breast-Feeding
If you make the choice to breastfeed your baby and use tobacco products, you are exposing your baby to the harmful substances through your breastmilk. Talk to your doctor about the risks associated with tobacco use while breastfeeding.
Protect Your Baby from Secondhand & Thirdhand Smoke
There is NO risk-free level of exposure to secondhand smoke. Children are particularly vulnerable to the effects of secondhand and thirdhand smoke. Keep your family and home healthier by removing secondhand and thirdhand smoke from your home.
Here’s what you can do:
Learn more about the effects of secondhand and thirdhand smoke
Share your story to keep yourself motivated and encourage others to start their quit journey.