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Pregnant or Planning to Have a Baby
Know the Facts
If you’re pregnant or planning to have a baby, you probably know that smoking cigarettes is a health threat for you and your baby. Many people make it a goal to quit during this time in their lives. In 2021, 4.6% of mothers smoked cigarettes at any time during their pregnancy.
It’s most helpful for you and your baby to quit smoking before you get pregnant. But if you’re already pregnant, quitting can still help protect you and your baby from health problems.
Health problems caused by smoking cigarettes can be serious. For example, your baby can be born too early or have a birth defect. And even if you smoked cigarettes and had a healthy pregnancy in the past, that does not mean it’s safe to smoke during your next pregnancy.
Some people might think it is safe to start smoking again after their baby is born. But your baby is not out of harm’s way.
- Babies who breathe secondhand smoke are more likely to die from sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS).
- Babies who are around cigarette smoke have weaker lungs than babies who are not around cigarette smoke.
- Babies who are around cigarette smoke are more likely to have ear infections and breathing problems.
Though quitting smoking can be hard, the benefits are worth it!
- You’ll increase your chances of having a healthy baby.
- You’ll breathe better.
- You’ll be surprised how much easier it is to be active.
Learn what percent of people currently smokes cigarettes, both in the United States overall and among specific population groups.
Amanda B. smoked while she was pregnant. Her baby was born 2 months early and was kept in an incubator.
“I’ll never forget her tiny, little cry. It wasn’t like the cries you hear; you know—a loud, screaming, typical baby cry. It was just this soft, little cry.”
The right kind of support can help pregnant people get through the unique challenges of quitting during this phase of life. Special quitting help and guidance is available for you and for the people around you. Resources include:
- Smokefree Women – Information on quitting, mood, stress, body weight, and more for women at all stages of life, including pregnancy
- Free or low-cost quit counseling for pregnant women through Medicaid
- Quit-smoking treatments, such as counseling and medication, may be free or reduced in price through insurance (including Medicaid), health plans, or clinics.
- Pregnancy & Motherhood