Risks of Smoking During Pregnancy - Warfighter Wellness

There is no amount of tobacco that is safe to consume, regardless of pregnancy status. This includes secondhand smoke.

Health Risks for the Baby

Long-term Effects

Children whose mother smoked during pregnancy may have more health problems as they get older, such as:

Asthma and lung infections like pneumonia
Overweight and obesity
Behavioral problems like hyperactivity and trouble focusing

Premature Birth

Smoking puts your baby at risk of being born before term, which is three weeks or more before the due date. Additionally, preterm babies often have health problems including physical, intellectual and developmental conditions including:

Low birth weight
Feeding difficulties
Breathing problems
Cerebral palsy (brain damage impacting movement and muscle formation)
Hearing and eyesight problems

Birth Defects

Smoking increases the risk of developing birth defects like cleft lip and cleft palate. These conditions can make it harder for your baby to get enough nutrients from feedings.

Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS)

Smoking during pregnancy and smoke exposure to your baby even up to one year after birth both increase the risk of death from SIDS, which is the sudden and unexplained death of an otherwise healthy baby.

Low Birth Weight

Smoking during pregnancy slows your baby’s growth in the womb. Low birth weight is considered less than five pounds, eight ounces. This puts them at increased risk for health problems and they may need extra care after birth.

Health Risks for the Mother

Cardiovascular Issues

Smoke increases your risk of heart disease, which is the number one cause of death for women in the U.S. Women are at higher risk over the age of 35, especially if using birth control pills. Women are also at greater risk than men of dying from abdominal aortic aneurysm, which is the weakening of the main blood vessel to the heart.

Pregnancy Complications

Risk of ectopic pregnancy, which occurs when a fertilized egg implants outside of the uterus, increases when a woman smokes. Smoking can also cause your placenta (the organ that provides nutrients to your baby) to detach too early or grow in the wrong spot. This can lead to heavy bleeding and other health risks.

Reproductive Issues

Smoking can lead to irregular or painful periods, lower estrogen levels (e.g., mood swings, fatigue, vaginal dryness), early menopause and trouble getting pregnant.

Cancer

Smoking increases cervical cancer risk. Lung cancer kills more women than any other cancer, including breast and cervical cancers. More women 30-49 years of age-old die from lung cancer than men of the same age.

Weaker Immune System

Smoking weakens your immune system, which can negatively impact your baby.

Respiratory Issues

People who smoke are at higher risk of developing chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Women also have higher COPD fatality rates.

What Happens When I Quit?

Quitting smoking during pregnancy has immediate health benefits for you and your baby. After just one day of quitting, your baby receives more oxygen. They also grow more efficiently and are less likely to be born early. You may notice you can breathe easier and have more energy, too. Quitting reduces your risk for heart disease, stroke, lung cancer, lung disease and other-smoking related disease like COPD. If you’re ready to quit, talk to your health care provider today for support.

Did you know that cigarette smoke can impact fertility too? Women who smoke have more difficulty getting pregnant than women who don’t smoke. Smoking also damages sperm in men. If you and/or your partner smoke and are looking to get pregnant, it is recommended you abstain from smoking for at least three to six months prior to conception. This will help ensure both egg and sperm are healthy.