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Smoking in pregnancy

We know that it can be difficult to stop smoking. But we also know that you want to give your baby the best possible start in life. Smoking in pregnancy has serious risks, including premature birth increased risk of miscarriage, stillbirth, sudden infant death and many more. Quitting smoking is one of the best things you and your partner can do to help your baby develop healthily during pregnancy and beyond. You don’t have to do it alone, your local stop smoking has free specialist advisers to help you and your partner to stop smoking. Speak to your midwife or contact your local stop smoking service to find out more and get free help to quit smoking for good.

After you have had your baby

If you or your partner smokes while you’re pregnant or after your baby is born, the risk of SIDS (also known as cot death) is greatly increased.

 

Smoking during pregnancy or after birth increases the risk of SIDS (sudden infant death syndrome- also known as cot death)

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Protecting your baby from tobacco smoke is one of the best things you can do to give your child a healthy start in life. It can be difficult to stop smoking, but it's never too late to quit.

Every cigarette you smoke contains over 4000 chemicals, many of which are dangerous, so smoking when you are pregnant harms your unborn baby. Cigarettes can restrict the essential oxygen supply to your baby. As a result, their heart must beat harder every time you smoke.

Your baby's tiny body is completely dependent on yours, so if you smoke throughout your pregnancy, your baby will go through nicotine withdrawal once it is born. This can make your baby stressed and irritable and it may be difficult to stop them crying.

Smoking while you are pregnant also increases the risk of your baby dying from cot death by at least 25%.

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Stopping smoking will help both you and your baby immediately. Harmful gases, such as carbon monoxide, and other damaging chemicals will clear from your body. When you stop smoking:

  • You will reduce the risk of complications in pregnancy and birth
  • You are more likely to have a healthier pregnancy and a healthier baby
  • You will reduce the risk of stillbirth
  • Your baby is less likely to be born too early and have to face the breathing, feeding and health problems that often go with being premature
  • Your baby is less likely to be born with a low birth weight. Babies of smokers are, on average, lighter than other babies, which can cause problems during and after labour. For example, they are more likely to have problems keeping warm and are more likely to get infections
  • It will reduce the risk of sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS), also known as "cot death"
  • Stopping smoking now will also help your baby later in life. Children whose parents smoke are more likely to suffer from asthma and other serious illnesses that may need hospital treatment.

The sooner you stop smoking, the better but even if you stop in the last few weeks of your pregnancy this will benefit you and your baby.