Are you pregnant and smoking? In Alberta, more than half of mothers under 20 who gave birth to a live baby between 2000 and 2002 smoked during pregnancy. That’s much more than the rate among mothers in older age groups. But the good news is that young women are also more likely to quit. Maybe they worry about their baby’s health.
Premature labour is twice as common in pregnant smokers. The risk of miscarriage in the first 20 weeks of pregnancy is 33% higher for smokers than for non-smokers.
Babies born to smokers are smaller than babies born to non-smokers. Low-birth-weight babies are at risk for developmental problems, delayed speech, cerebral palsy, visual and hearing difficulties, learning disabilities and breathing problems. Smoking during pregnancy also increases the risk of sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS).
A mother’s smoking continues to harm her baby after birth, especially if she breastfeeds. Nicotine is passed onto babies through the breast milk of smoking mothers. And second-hand smoke in the home is harmful to everyone, but especially to babies.
Think about quitting, for you and your baby.
Quick facts
- Smoking during pregnancy increases the risks of miscarriage and stillbirth.
- Mothers who smoke are much more likely to have a low-birth-weight baby. Low-birth-weight babies can have severe health problems, and may even die.
- A mother’s smoking increases the risk of sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS).
- Smoking during pregnancy may put the child at risk for intellectual and behavioural problems.
- Smoking continues to harm a baby after birth. The baby may be exposed to nicotine through the mother’s breast milk, and may be exposed to second-hand smoke in the home.
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