Smoking during pregnancy: Better not!

Why pregnant women should quit smoking

Of course there are women who smoked during their pregnancy and gave birth to a healthy baby. However, if you are aware of the risks of smoking during pregnancy, the responsible way is to quit as soon as possible. Preferably forever, because even after birth, the harmful substances enter your child’s body via breast milk and passive smoking and, according to many studies, increase the risk of sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS) . The first time will certainly be difficult, but you and your baby will feel better without smoking.

Why is your baby at risk from smoking during pregnancy?

Each cigarette contains around 4,800 different substances, of which over 250 are harmful. During pregnancy, every cigarette not only harms your body, but also your baby’s small organism:

• Nicotine constricts the blood vessels in the body and leads to poor blood circulation. The placenta is also affected and can only supply your baby with limited oxygen and nutrients.
• Toxins in your bloodstream are passed to the baby via the placenta. It reacts much more sensitively to the harmful substances than an adult body and can suffer developmental damage.
• When smoking, a large amount of carbon monoxide enters the bloodstream and impairs the oxygen supply. As a result, your baby is also supplied with less oxygen.

Possible consequences of smoking for the baby

Babies born to smokers are, on average, smaller and lighter than their peers due to the restricted supply of nutrients . Exposure to the various pollutants can lead to delayed development or maldevelopment of the lungs, brain and other internal organs. Smoking during pregnancy also increases the risk of:

• premature births
• miscarriages or stillbirths
• placenta detachment
• placenta previa
• premature rupture of membranes
• sudden infant death
• possible late effects: asthma, infections, learning and concentration disorders, cancer

In addition, the baby often suffers from withdrawal symptoms after birth , since it is no longer supplied with the addictive substances by the mother. Babies sleep poorly, are restless and nervous, and are difficult to breastfeed.

Quit smoking during pregnancy

Quitting smoking isn’t easy, and even if you know it’s better for you and your baby, you may find it very difficult to quit smoking while pregnant.

• Resist the temptation: If the desire for a cigarette gnaws at you, try to think of alternative actions. Breathe in and out deeply ten times, make yourself a delicious cup of tea or go for a walk.
• Recognizing and changing habits: Physical addiction is one thing. However, the small rituals that have unconsciously accompanied your everyday life are almost as powerful. For example the cigarette after eating. Be aware of the occasions on which you reach for a cigarette. You can prepare yourself and have a distraction ready in critical moments – for example a fruit plate after the meal.
• Smoke-free environment: When others smoke and you stand by, you find it difficult to give up. Secondhand smoke is just as bad for you and your baby . Ask your partner, family and friends for their support. If you want to smoke, you can take a short walk outside, for example. Smoking in your area or your apartment is now taboo.
• Seek support: You are not alone with your problem. Look for help and advice centers in your area. You can also obtain further information and advice by telephone or on the Internet. For example, the Federal Center for Health Education offers a lot of additional information, a hotline and an exit program in its “smoke-free” project .