Reasons to stop smoking

Stopping smoking is good for you and your baby. Stopping before or during early pregnancy is best, but it is good for you and your baby to stop at any point. Stopping smoking is good for your partner’s health too.

Why stop?

Most people know that smoking during pregnancy has dramatic long-term effects on your baby. But do you know that the specific risks?

Research has shown that growth is affected in babies whose mothers smoke during their pregnancy. This is mainly due to the effects of carbon monoxide. Your baby could be born too early and weigh less than normal. A baby with low birthweight can pick up infections more easily, have difficulty breathing during and after birth and have health problems that last throughout life.

There is strong evidence that if you, or someone in your household, smokes it will affect your pregnancy and your baby’s health. So there has never been a better time to stop.

Carbon monoxide is a poisonous chemical which builds up in your blood stream if you smoke. Some areas of Scotland offer carbon monoxide testing to all pregnant women to show them the risks and help support their attempts to quit.

If you stop smoking, you will reduce risks to your pregnancy such as miscarriage or stillbirth as well as cot death and asthma.

Passive smoking

Passive smoking can affect babies still in the womb. If you breathe second-hand smoke, the chemicals in the smoke can make their way to your unborn baby.

Babies who live with people who smoke are likely to be harmed by breathing in second-hand smoke. Smoking regularly near a baby is one of the causes of cot death (see Reducing the risk of cot death). Don't feel bad about asking others not to smoke nearby. Smoke travels quickly: if you live with smokers who cannot stop, or there are smokers in the house, try to get them to smoke outside.

Your midwife or GP can put you in touch with stop smoking services, some specifically for pregnant women, who help you to stop and support you. Advice and information about services is also available from Smokeline on 0800 84 84 84 or visit the Can Stop Smoking website.