When you're pregnant, you may feel like there's a lot of pressure around you to quit. But you don’t have to feel alone. Wherever you’re at with your smoking, Quitline counsellors will support you with care, respect and without judgement.
Congratulations on your pregnancy!
Expecting a baby usually increases the pressure to stop smoking. We get that and we’re here to help.
Quitting early on in pregnancy is best, but quitting at any time gives your baby a better chance of a healthy start in life.
Speak to a Quitline counsellor to help you during your pregnancy, whether you’re ready to quit or not sure. Your midwife and GP can also offer quitting information and support.
Quitline can support you right through to the birth, and in the weeks after your baby is born.
There are many ways to get in touch with Quitline 13 7848, including webchat, Messenger and more:
Ways to get in touchHow does your smoking affect your unborn baby?
The umbilical cord is your baby’s lifeline. Blood flow through this cord provides your baby with oxygen and the food it needs to grow. Every puff you take on a cigarette has an immediate effect on your baby. Carbon monoxide replaces some of the oxygen in your blood, reducing the amount of oxygen received by your baby through the umbilical cord. Smoking also affects how the placenta forms, and reduces the nutrients crossing the placenta to your baby. Cigarette smoke also contains many other harmful poisons, which pass through your lungs and into your bloodstream (which your baby shares).
Download our Pregnancy and Smoking brochure for more information.
Known risks of smoking while pregnant (but there is good news below!)
Miscarriage and ectopic pregnancy (the foetus is outside the womb)
Complications during the birth
Having a low-weight baby who is more vulnerable to infection and health problems in adulthood
Pre-term 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
The baby developing attention deficit hyperactive disorder (ADHD)
The baby being overweight or obese in childhood.
In rare cases the life of the baby may be endangered as smoking also increases the risk of Sudden Unexpected Death in Infancy (SUDI)and the risk of the baby dying at, or shortly after, birth.
But the good news is if you quit at any stage of your pregnancy there are health benefits for you and your baby.
If you quit before or during your first three months of pregnancy:
You reduce your risk of complications during the birth and have a better chance of a safe labour and birth for you and your baby.
You lower the risk that your baby will be born too early (babies born early are more likely to have serious health problems than babies born at or near their due date).
Your baby has the same chance of having a healthy birth weight as a baby of a non-smoker (babies who have a low birth weight, as a result of smoking, can have health problems because they are so small).
You reduce the risk of your baby going through illness during their early years and, while rare, the risk of your baby dying at, or after, birth.
If you stop smoking later in your pregnancy:
Your baby has a better chance of having a healthy birth weight.
It helps your baby practise their breathing movements to get ready for birth.
There are many benefits of quitting smoking for you and your baby. It might be challenging, but there’s a lot of support available.
Quitting early on in pregnancy is best but quitting at any time gives your baby a better chance of a healthy start.
Please note, this information is for general use only. Please consult your health professional for further advice.
If you would like to provide feedback, please contact quit@cancervic.org.au
Last updated March 2024