How Bad Is It to Smoke During Pregnancy?

“What do you think about smoking while pregnant? I am finding it hard to stop” 

Congratulations! I hope the pregnancy is going well.  

Smoking when you are pregnant is bad for your baby, even if you don’t smoke a lot. What happens is that every time you smoke, your baby receives less oxygen, and less oxygen means less growth. This is why if you smoke your baby is more likely to be born with low weight and to be born premature. And to make it worse, the consequences of your smoking will still be present after the baby is born. Your baby will be at a higher risk of experiencing SIDS (sudden infant death syndrome).  

I am not telling you this to make you feel bad, but to make you aware that whereas with other ‘vices’ like caffeine it is not clear how bad they are for your baby, with smoking there is absolutely no doubt that it is bad.  

The good news is that quitting during pregnancy mitigates these problems. Ideally, you would go cold turkey. I know you are finding it tough, and I can assure you that you are not the only one. Very often it takes people several attempts before they manage to quit.  

These tips can help you to quit smoking: 

• Pace yourself: Ideally, you should stop completely. If you can’t, try to smoke as little as possible. Think that every day you don’t smoke, your baby grows stronger and gets more oxygen.  

• Consider nicotine replacement therapy (NRT): discuss with your doctor if this may be a good idea for you.  

• Get everyone involved: it will be easier for you to quit if those around you also stop smoking. Remove any reminders of smoking from your home: ashtrays, lighters… 

• Use distractions: try to change your routine. For example, if you usually smoke a cigarette in the morning in the kitchen with a coffee, try to go for a walk at that time. Or have your coffee somewhere else. Whenever you feel the need to smoke, have a glass of water or a cup of tea, chew some gum, take a walk, or ring a friend. If you tend to smoke when you are with friends, try to see them less often or meet them at a non-smoking place. 

• Try an app: there are smoking cessation apps that can be effective. The important thing is that you go for one that is science-based. Have a look at: quitSTART App (developed by the CDC), NHS Quit Smoking App (developed by the NHS), or iCanQuit (developed by NIH).  

• Get professional support: support from a mental health professional will help you to go through the quitting process. Get in touch with me if this is something you would like to explore.  

I wish you and your baby all the very best.  

Love,  

Ana 

Dr Ana Aznar