How Bad Is It To Smoke While Pregnant?

When should a pregnant woman stop smoking?

Quitting smoking at any point during pregnancy can help. But quitting before week 15 of pregnancy provides the greatest benefits for your baby, and quitting before your third trimester can eliminate much of the potential impact on your baby’s birth weight.

Can a smoker have a healthy baby?

You also lower your risk for many other health problems. and had a healthy baby, so this baby will be healthy, too. Smoking during pregnancy increases the chances of having a small or preterm baby (born before term). Preterm babies are more likely than normal weight babies to have serious health problems.

How does smoking affect a fetus?

Smoking during pregnancy affects you and your baby’s health before, during, and after your baby is born. Increase your baby’s heart rate. Increase the chances of miscarriage and stillbirth. Increase the risk that your baby is born prematurely and/or born with low birth weight.

Why is smoking bad when your pregnant?

Every time you smoke, the baby effectively smokes too, as harmful nicotine and other chemicals pass through the placenta and into the fetus. Smoking also reduces blood flow for your baby. Smoking while pregnant can result in a far higher risk of: miscarriage, stillbirth or ectopic pregnancy.