Healthwise
To print: Use your web browser's print feature. Close this window after printing.

Smoking: Problems With Pregnancy

Table of Contents


Overview

When you're pregnant, everything you put in your body can affect your pregnancy. If you smoke, your fetus is exposed to chemicals such as nicotine and carbon monoxide.

If you breathe secondhand smoke during pregnancy, your baby is more likely to have health problems.

Smoking during pregnancy increases the chance of:

Experts recommend avoiding vaping during pregnancy.1 Vaping can expose you to nicotine and other chemicals that are not safe. More research is needed to understand all the risks.

If you smoke or vape, quit. If you can't quit, cut back as much as you can. Ask your doctor or midwife about ways to quit or cut back.


References

Citations

  1. American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (2020). Tobacco and nicotine cessation during pregnancy. ACOG Committee Opinion, No. 807. Obstetrics and Gynecology, 135(5): e221–e229. DOI: 10.1097/AOG.0000000000003822. Accessed November 14, 2020.

Credits for Smoking: Problems With Pregnancy

Current as of: July 10, 2023

Author: Healthwise Staff (https://www.healthwise.org/specialpages/legal/abouthw/en)
Clinical Review Board (https://www.healthwise.org/specialpages/legal/abouthw/en)
All Healthwise education is reviewed by a team that includes physicians, nurses, advanced practitioners, registered dieticians, and other healthcare professionals.


Note: The "printer friendly" document will not contain all the information available in the online document. Some information (e.g. cross-references to other topics, definitions or medical illustrations) is only available in the online version.

© 1995-2024 Healthwise, Incorporated. Healthwise, Healthwise for every health decision, and the Healthwise logo are trademarks of Healthwise, Incorporated.
This information does not replace the advice of a doctor. Healthwise, Incorporated disclaims any warranty or liability for your use of this information.