Should I quit smoking now that I’m pregnant?

It’s fairly common knowledge that smoking and even secondhand smoke should be avoided during pregnancy. But why exactly is that? And does it have to be cut out entirely?

Let’s explore the official medical advice and find out.

Is it safe to smoke during pregnancy?

Medical professionals across the board agree that it’s safest to quit smoking if you are pregnant. In fact, protecting your baby from tobacco smoke is one of the very best things you can do to give them a healthy start in life.

But why exactly is that? Why is smoking so bad for an in-utero baby?

How will smoking affect my baby?

Each cigarette contains over 7000 chemicals. They restrict the essential oxygen supply your baby needs and 70 of them are known to promote cancer. With every cigarette a mother smokes, a baby’s heart must beat harder just to keep up. When these harmful chemicals and gasses, like carbon monoxide, enter the body, they can cause various complications and risks. These include:

Greater chances of premature birth and even stillbirth.

Your baby is more likely to be born with a low birth weight.

The risk of SIDS (sudden infant death syndrome) is increased.

Your baby is more likely to have asthma and other health complications later in life.

Smoking is also bad for you as a mother; so how does one go about quitting?

How can I quit smoking?

While it is certainly difficult to quit smoking, it’s never too late – or early – to quit. Now, you’ll likely know that it is the nicotine present in cigarettes that causes addiction. If you’re unable to quit without it, nicotine replacement therapy (NRT) may be the answer to quitting. NRT delivers doses of nicotine that can help you give up cigarettes.

NRT is available as:

Patches.

Gum.

Mouth spray.

Nasal spray.

Lozenges.

Oral strips.

Microtabs.

Inhalators.

If you’re pregnant or hoping to get pregnant, speak to a medical professional before using any of these products.

Medical professionals also agree that with a trained support advisor, smokers are twice as likely to quit once and for all. Smokers’ helplines can also be really useful if you’re in need of any information or guidance.