Quitting smoking when you become pregnant will make you feel better and give your baby a great start in life.
Every puff you take on a cigarette has an immediate effect on your unborn child.
The carbon monoxide you inhale replaces some of the oxygen in your blood, reducing the amount of oxygen going to your baby.
The nicotine in cigarettes causes your blood vessels to narrow, making it even harder for your baby to get the oxygen and nourishment it needs. Nicotine also increases your baby's heart rate and reduces its breathing movements.
Cigarette smoke contains many other poisons and harmful substances. These pass through your lungs and into your bloodstream to be shared with your baby.
Smoking during pregnancy increases the risk of:
- sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS or 'cot death')
- miscarriage
- stillbirth
- complications during the birth
- having a low-weight baby who is more vulnerable to infection and health problems in adulthood
- preterm delivery (birth at less than 37 weeks)
- the baby being born with a cleft lip or cross-eyes
- the baby being born with weaker lungs, which may persist into adulthood
- the baby having a weaker immune system.
However, any positive changes you make to your smoking habits now can reduce these risks and give your baby the best chance of a healthy start in life.
Women who quit before or during their pregnancy reduce the risk of all complications, preterm delivery and low birth weight.
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