What are the best steps to quit smoking and stay smoke-free during pregnancy?

Quitting smoking can be challenging, and so can avoiding secondhand smoke, but pregnant mothers don’t have to do it alone. With the right resources and support, it’s entirely possible to stop smoking, stay smoke-free and create a healthier future for both the mother and the baby. The best steps to quit smoking and avoid secondhand smoke include: Set a quit date: Choose a specific day within the next two weeks to stop smoking completely. Remove triggers: Stay away from situations, environments or people that make you want to smoke. Seek professional help: Many healthcare providers offer smoking cessation programs tailored to pregnant women, such as Ochsner’s Smoking Cessation Program. Clinics and counseling services can provide personalized guidance to help pregnant women quit. Consider nicotine replacement therapy (NRT): Ask your doctor if NRT options like patches, lozenges or gum are safe for your pregnancy. Lean on support: Share your goal to quit with family and friends who can encourage and support you through the process. Avoid secondhand smoke: Avoid people or places where you know you'll be exposed to secondhand smoke.

What Are Best Steps to Quit Smoking and Stay Smoke-Free While Pregnant

Q: What are the key risks to pregnancy from smoking?

Miscarriage and stillbirth: Smoking can increase the risk of losing the baby during pregnancy. It can also make it harder to get pregnant by causing infertility. Premature birth: Babies born too early may face challenges like underdeveloped lungs, difficulty feeding, higher risk of cerebral palsy, hearing and vision difficulties, and prolonged hospital stays. Low birth weight: Smoking can stunt a baby’s growth, putting them at risk of health issues immediately after birth and later in life. Placental problems: Smoking increases the chances of placenta previa (where the placenta blocks the cervix) or placental abruption (where the placenta detaches from the uterine wall). Both are serious complications that endanger both mother and child.

What Are the Best Steps to Quit Smoking and Stay Smoke-Free While Pregnant?

Smoking during pregnancy can not only impact the mother’s health, but it can also affect the baby’s development and well-being. Did you know that nearly 1 in 10 pregnant women smoke, and almost 500,000 babies per year are born to mothers who smoke? These children are at an increased risk of complications, both at birth and later in life.

If you’re a smoker and pregnant, it’s common to feel overwhelmed about quitting. But the good news is it’s never too late to make a change for the better. Learn how smoking affects pregnancy, the potential risks to your baby and actionable steps to become smoke-free before, during and after pregnancy.

What are the risks of smoking during pregnancy?

Smoking while pregnant exposes the baby to harmful chemicals like nicotine and carbon monoxide. These toxins can cross the placenta, reducing the essential oxygen and nutrients the baby needs for healthy growth. No amount of smoking during pregnancy is safe. Even cutting down or switching to “low-tar” cigarettes doesn't eliminate the risks.

What are the key risks to pregnancy from smoking?

Miscarriage and stillbirth: Smoking can increase the risk of losing the baby during pregnancy. It can also make it harder to get pregnant by causing infertility.
Premature birth: Babies born too early may face challenges like underdeveloped lungs, difficulty feeding, higher risk of cerebral palsy, hearing and vision difficulties, and prolonged hospital stays.
Low birth weight: Smoking can stunt a baby’s growth, putting them at risk of health issues immediately after birth and later in life.
Placental problems: Smoking increases the chances of placenta previa (where the placenta blocks the cervix) or placental abruption (where the placenta detaches from the uterine wall). Both are serious complications that endanger both mother and child.

How can babies be affected by smoking?

Smoking impacts nearly every organ a baby develops while in the womb. These effects can start during pregnancy but may continue to show as the child grows.

The immediate risks of babies born to mothers who smoke are at higher risk for the following:

Cleft lip and cleft palate: Facial malformations that often require surgery
Congenital heart defects: Issues with the heart’s structure that can lead to long-term health challenges
Smaller head circumference: Linked to lower brain volume and developmental delays

Even after birth, the effects of smoking during pregnancy can continue to impact a child. The long-term risks include:

Cognitive delays: Children may struggle with lower IQ and problem-solving skills.
Behavioral disorders: Attention disorders like ADHD are more common in children born to mothers who smoke during pregnancy.
Sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS): Babies exposed to tobacco smoke face a higher risk of unexplained death during sleep in their first year of life.

What are the benefits of quitting smoking during pregnancy?

The sooner you stop smoking, the healthier pregnancy will be for both the mother and the baby. Quitting at any stage of pregnancy reduces the risk of complications and improves overall health. Plus, it sets a strong foundation for a smoke-free home, which gives the baby the best start in life.

The immediate benefits to a baby after quitting smoking are:

Improved oxygen supply: The baby will get more oxygen and nutrients, which is critical for healthy growth.
Normal growth rates: Stopping smoking reduces the chances of low birth weight and developmental delays.
Strengthened lungs: The baby is less likely to face issues like respiratory infections or asthma after birth.

The benefits for the mother after quitting smoking are:

Improved health: Quitting smoking lowers the mother’s own risk of cancer, heart disease and stroke.
Fewer complications: A smoke-free pregnancy can lower the chance of complications during labor and delivery.
Empowerment: Quitting smoking during pregnancy sets a powerful example and shows resilience, strength and dedication to your family's health.

What are the best steps to quit smoking and stay smoke-free while pregnant?

Quitting smoking can be challenging, and so can avoiding secondhand smoke, but pregnant mothers don’t have to do it alone. With the right resources and support, it’s entirely possible to stop smoking, stay smoke-free and create a healthier future for both the mother and the baby.

The best steps to quit smoking and avoid secondhand smoke include:

Set a quit date: Choose a specific day within the next two weeks to stop smoking completely.
Remove triggers: Stay away from situations, environments or people that make you want to smoke.
Seek professional help: Many healthcare providers offer smoking cessation programs tailored to pregnant women, such as Ochsner’s Smoking Cessation Program. Clinics and counseling services can provide personalized guidance to help pregnant women quit.
Consider nicotine replacement therapy (NRT): Ask your doctor if NRT options like patches, lozenges or gum are safe for your pregnancy.
Lean on support: Share your goal to quit with family and friends who can encourage and support you through the process.
Avoid secondhand smoke: Avoid people or places where you know you'll be exposed to secondhand smoke.

At Ochsner's Smoking Cessation Program, we understand that quitting smoking while pregnant can feel daunting. That’s why we offer a comprehensive, risk-free program tailored to the unique needs of expecting mothers. Our services include counseling, safe quitting strategies and ongoing support to help you kick the habit for good.

The risks of smoking while pregnant may feel daunting, but they are not insurmountable. With expert care, a clear plan and a community to support you, you can quit smoking and protect your baby’s health.

If you are ready to quit, Ochsner is here to help. Talk to your doctor or contact our smoking cessation team today about quitting strategies that work for you. Every smoke-free day is a step closer to giving your baby the healthiest start in life.

Learn more about Ochsner's Smoking Cessation Program.

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