Smoking
By quitting smoking when you’re pregnant, you’re taking care of yourself and your baby
Tobacco smoke contains thousands of chemicals, and many are toxic. They can pass through the placenta to the baby and affect his or her development
A small baby who doesn’t grow healthily has an increased chance of being stillborn. Smoking also increases the likelihood of a baby being born prematurely, and that he or she will have health and development problems in childhood and later life
If you smoke
- The best thing you can do is stop. Stopping at any time in pregnancy will help, though the sooner the better
- Lots of support is available to help women stop smoking in pregnancy – your midwife, GP or pharmacist can advise you, and there will be a ‘stop smoking’ programme you can join
- Second-hand (or passive) smoke is also dangerous, so try to keep away from smoky places and smokers; ask any smokers in the family to support you and your baby by smoking outside and not near you
- You can use nicotine replacement therapy such as patches and gum to help you quit
- Vaping isn't completely risk free, but if you find it helps you stop smoking and stay smokefree it's much safer for you and your baby than continuing to smoke. You can find out more here.
More information
- NHS information on the effects of smoking in pregnancy is here.
- www.nhs.uk/smokefree, NHS Health Scotland , Public Health Scotland and Help Me Quit Wales have helpful advice on stopping smoking
- If you're in Scotland and want help to stop smoking, you can find information on the Quit your way Scotland website
- Information on smoking in pregnancy from the Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists
- The latest evidence from Public Health England on e-cigarettes is here