Smoking and Pregnancy

The choices made by pregnant women affect their health and that of unborn babies. So, if concerns about your health have not convinced you to quit smoking, do so for the sake of your unborn child. Smoking affects the health of your baby before, during, and even after birth. The nicotine in tobacco, carbon monoxide, and other poisonous elements that you inhale when smoking go to your bloodstream directly. These are eventually carried to the baby. 

No amount or level of smoking is safe for pregnant women and unborn babies. Any amount of cigarette smoke can essentially damage the health of a mother and her unborn baby. Even passive smoking can affect the unborn child and the mother. Unfortunately, some women continue to smoke even during pregnancy. 

Effects of Smoking during Pregnancy 

Women that smoke during pregnancy have a higher risk of numerous health problems. These include low birth weight and preterm birth, as well as, birth defects of the lip and mouth. Sudden infant death syndrome risk also increases when a mother smokes during and even after the birth of the baby. 

Vaping without a vape pen guide or using tobacco products that have nicotine, which is the addictive substance in cigarettes, is not safe at all. That's because nicotine can damage the lungs and brain of the developing baby. Some vaping products contain flavorings that can also hurt the developing baby. 

Smoking during pregnancy will: 

• Lower the oxygen amount that is availed to the mother and her developing baby. 

• Increase the heart rate of the baby. 

• Increase the risk of stillbirth and miscarriage. 

• Increase the chances of premature birth and/or low birth weight. 

• Increase the risk of respiratory or lung problems for the baby. 

• Increase the chances of your baby having birth defects. 

• Increase the Sudden Infant Death Syndrome risk. 

The more the number of cigarettes a pregnant woman smokes per day the higher the chances of the unborn child developing these health problems. Unfortunately, some women continue their smoking during pregnancy even with knowledge of the health risks associated with the habit. That's because they are unable to quit smoking due to the addictive nature of nicotine. But, based on the harm reduction principle, research has shown that pregnant women that are unable to stop smoking should reduce their intensity to not more than 6 cigarettes per day. 

Vaping during Pregnancy 

Many women that smoke switch to vaping when they become pregnant. That's because they think vaping is a safer alternative to traditional smoking. But, using vape pens may not feel the same as smoking a traditional cigarette. There are many unanswered questions about vaping during pregnancy. 

But, what is known so far is the fact that the substances you take when smoking a traditional cigarette may still reach your lungs when you vape. Vaping is inhaling a liquid aerosol in vapor form. This liquid contains nicotine. What's more, e-juice or e-liquid can have different flavors and other chemicals. Some of these chemicals and flavors are toxic. 

Therefore, though you might have heard that vaping is less harmful than smoking, using electronic cigarettes is not completely risk-free. It's also good to bear in mind the fact that vaping is a relatively new phenomenon. As such, its exact effects on the health of a pregnant woman and her unborn child might be yet to be known. 

Secondhand Smoke and Pregnancy

When living with a smoker or a person that uses even the best vape pens, you will breathe cigarette smoke or aerosol too. This is what is known a secondhand smoke or vapor. Second-hand smoke is harmful to a pregnant woman and the baby. Cigarette smoke has chemicals that linger inside a room for up to 5 hours. And, smoking in a different room or opening windows might not help. 

That means if you or a person in your home smokes, the pregnant mother and her unborn child are exposed to harmful substances like carbon monoxide, tar, and nicotine that the smoker inhales. Exposure to secondhand smoke during pregnancy, therefore, increases the risk of stillbirth, low birth weight, and birth defects. 

Research has shown that exposure to secondhand smoke increases the risk of adverse birth results. Secondhand smoke exposure after birth increases the risk of developing allergies and asthma, as well as, ear and lung infections. It can also cause sudden infant death syndrome. 

Quitting Smoking during Pregnancy 

If you quit smoking during pregnancy, you reduce the health risks of your baby regardless of the point at which you make this move. The amount of oxygen that the unborn child receives increases within a day when a pregnant woman stops smoking. The benefits enjoyed by the baby are more when a pregnant woman quits before the 15th week of pregnancy. Quitting before the third trimester eliminates most potential effects on the birth weight of the baby. 

It's these reasons that are tempting some women to use the best vape pen as a way to quit smoking. But, the healthy approach to quitting smoking during pregnancy is to talk to your healthcare provider first. Once you've discussed the move with your doctor, get rid of smoking materials. Make your car and home smoke-free places. 

Additionally, avoid any situation that makes you crave for cigarette smoke or vapor. For instance, you can spend time with non-smokers and hang out in places where smoking and vaping are not allowed. Also, get the support of family and friends. Come up with a goal and a reward for achieving it. For instance, you can spend the money you usually spend on traditional cigarettes to purchase something for your baby. 

The Bottom Line

Smoking and pregnancy have never mixed well. Even if a smoker decides to use the best vape pen for e liquid, the unborn baby may still be exposed to the same harmful substances of traditional cigarettes. That's because e-liquid can contain nicotine, flavoring, and other harmful chemicals that can hurt a pregnant woman and her unborn baby. The best approach, therefore, is to quit smoking before pregnancy. If unable to quit smoking on your own, talk to your healthcare provider.