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What Are the Risks of Smoking During Pregnancy?

I'm pregnant with my first child. But I'm worried because I've been a smoker since college and am afraid I won't be able to quit. How could smoking affect the pregnancy?
– Evangeline

You wouldn't light a cigarette, put it in your baby's mouth, and encourage your little one to puff away. As ridiculous as that sounds, pregnant women who continue to smoke are allowing their fetus to smoke too. The smoking mother passes nicotine, carbon monoxide, and other chemicals to her growing baby.

If a pregnant woman smokes, it could cause:

miscarriage or stillbirth
premature birth
low birth weight
sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS)
asthma and other respiratory problems

As hard as quitting can be, it's vital to stop smoking as soon as possible. Talk to your doctor about options for quitting. Not only will you be keeping your unborn baby healthier, you'll also be well on your way to being healthier yourself!

Medically reviewed by: Elana Pearl Ben-Joseph, MD

Date reviewed: June 2016

What Are the Risks of Smoking During Pregnancy?

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