The Facts and Fallacies of Smoking and Pregnancy

In the United States more than 20 percent of women smoke, and many of these women smoke while they are pregnant. Pregnant women who smoke risk not only their health, but also the health and lives of their unborn babies, as smoking during pregnancy has been linked to a number of pregnancy complications and serious health problems in newborns.

Cigarette smoke contains more than 4,000 chemicals. It is not known for certain which of these chemicals are harmful to a developing baby; however, it has been shown that nicotine and carbon monoxide, both active ingredients in cigarettes, do play a role in the cause of adverse pregnancy outcomes.

Pregnancy and Smoking: Fact vs. Fallacy

• FACT: When you smoke, your baby gets less oxygen, which can cause your baby to grow more slowly and gain less weight in the womb. This has been shown to slow fetal growth, and nearly doubles your risk of having a low birth weight baby.
• FALLACY: Second hand smoke does not cause health problems for pregnant women. This is not true. Studies suggest that babies of women who are regularly exposed to second-hand smoke during pregnancy are more likely to be born with a low birth weight.
• FACT: Smoking during pregnancy has been linked to preterm labor and other pregnancy complications. Smoking cigarettes have been shown to double the risk of developing a placental problem, which can result in heavy bleeding during delivery and can endanger both you and your baby. Placental problems also contribute to the increased risk of stillbirth.
• FALLACY: Exposure to smoke after birth has no affect on a baby. This also is not true, it is just as important to stay smoke-free after your baby is born. Babies who are exposed to smoke suffer from more lower-respiratory illnesses such as pneumonia and ear infections than other babies.
• FACT: Up to 10% of infant deaths would be prevented if pregnant women did not smoke. Smoking during pregnancy has been shown to lead to greater chance of spontaneous abortion, infant deaths, and sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS).

Final Recommendation: Stop Smoking for Pregnancy

It is recommended that you stop smoking even before you become pregnant, and remain smoke-free throughout your pregnancy and after the baby is born. Also remember, even if you are not pregnant, smoking can harm your own health as well. Smokers have an increased risk of lung and other cancers, heart disease, stroke, and emphysema.