Pregnancy and quitting smoking

If you are a smoker and are pregnant or wanting to become pregnant, the best thing you can do for your own health and that of your unborn child is to quit smoking. If you are unable to quit as soon as you find out you are pregnant, keep trying. If you quit by the fourth month of the pregnancy, research suggests that some risks for the baby can be reduced, such as low birth weight and premature birth. If you haven’t quit by the fourth month, don’t stop trying. Being smoke free is better for you and your baby.

Smoking risks during pregnancy
Smoking during pregnancy – problems for your baby at or after birth
Smoking during pregnancy – harms to your child’s future health
Smoking and breastfeeding
Pregnancy and quitting smoking
Pregnancy and NRT

Smoking risks during pregnancy

If you smoke during pregnancy, there are health risks for both you and your unborn baby including:

• miscarriage
• stillbirth
• placental problems such as the placenta not developing or working properly, or placenta previa where the placenta blocks the opening of the cervix so the baby can’t be born vaginally
• premature breaking of waters, which leaves mother and baby vulnerable to infection
• premature labour
• Postnatal depression.

Cigarette smoke can have damaging effects on the fetus including:

• reduced oxygen supply
• delayed growth and development
• greater risk of cleft lip or palate
• tissue damage to the lungs and brain.

Smoking during pregnancy – problems for your baby at or after birth

If you smoke during pregnancy, health problems for your baby at or after birth may include:

• premature birth, which can result in complicated medical problems
• low birth weight, resulting in the baby being more vulnerable to infection, breathing problems and long-term health challenges in adulthood
• increased risk of sudden unexpected death in infancy (SUDI).

Smoking during pregnancy – harms to your child’s future health

If you smoke during pregnancy, future health harms for your child may include:

• lung problems
• greater risk of asthma
• heart disease, type 2 diabetes and high blood pressure in adulthood, if your baby was born premature
• increased risk of childhood obesity.
• greater risk of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD).

Smoking and breastfeeding

Smoking while breastfeeding can cause problems such as:

• the chemicals from cigarette smoke passing from you to your baby through breastmilk
• reduced milk production.

And, as a smoker, you are exposing your baby to harmful second-hand smoke.

Don’t stop breastfeeding if you smoke because breastfeeding helps protect your baby from a range of illnesses. Avoid smoking for 30 minutes before breastfeeding.

Pregnancy and quitting smoking

A great time to quit smoking is when you are pregnant or planning a pregnancy – for both partners. Pregnancy, and bringing a baby into the world, can be a good motivator for quitting. But, even at this time, there are challenges to address in quitting. If you have a partner who smokes, consider quitting together so you can support each other through the process. You might want to start a fitness regime together or find a hobby that you both enjoy to take your mind off smoking. Or just talk to each other about your progress.

Support from friends and family can also be very helpful. If they are unsure what they can do to help out, direct them to the ‘Helping someone to quit smoking’ page.

When you are quitting smoking, it’s a good idea to visit your doctor for support and quitting advice. Your doctor can talk to you about different quitting options, including quitting medications. The Quitline – 13 7848 – is another great resource. Qualified counsellors can help you devise a quitting plan and support you through challenging times.

Pregnancy and NRT

The best quitting option if you are pregnant is ‘cold turkey’. But if this doesn’t work for you, talk to your doctor about using nicotine replacement therapy (NRT). Options include gum, lozenges, mouth spray, inhalator and 16-hour patches. Most people who smoke have a better chance of successfully quitting if they use combination therapy (patches with another form of NRT). Talk to your doctor or pharmacist to see if combination therapy is suitable for you. Despite these options being safer than smoking, NRT still contains small amounts of nicotine, so may not be entirely risk-free for your baby.