Smoking During Pregnancy: Risks and Effects on Mother & Baby

Effects of Smoking During Pregnancy

Smoking during pregnancy can have serious negative effects on the health of both the mother and the baby. Some of the risks associated with smoking during pregnancy include:

For the mother:

- Increased risk of ectopic pregnancy

- Increased risk of placental abruption

- Increased risk of preterm birth

- Increased risk of low birth weight

- Increased risk of sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS)

- Increased risk of respiratory problems, such as asthma and bronchitis

- Increased risk of ear infections

- Increased risk of dental problems

- Increased risk of gum disease

- Increased risk of osteoporosis

- Increased risk of heart disease

- Increased risk of stroke

- Increased risk of cancer

For the baby:

- Increased risk of miscarriage

- Increased risk of premature birth

- Increased risk of low birth weight

- Increased risk of birth defects, such as cleft lip and palate and neural tube defects

- Increased risk of developmental problems, such as learning disabilities and behavioral problems

- Increased risk of respiratory problems, such as asthma and bronchitis

- Increased risk of ear infections

- Increased risk of dental problems

- Increased risk of gum disease

- Increased risk of obesity

- Increased risk of type 2 diabetes

- Increased risk of heart disease

- Increased risk of stroke

- Increased risk of cancer

If you are pregnant or thinking about becoming pregnant, it is important to quit smoking as soon as possible. Quitting smoking can improve your health and the health of your baby.

Resources to Help You Quit Smoking:

- The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)

- The National Cancer Institute (NCI)

- SmokefreeTXT

- 1-800-QUIT-NOW