Smoking & Pregnancy
If you are planning or expecting a baby stopping smoking is one of the most important things you can do to help you have a healthy baby and a safe delivery.
We know stopping smoking can be difficult but there is lots of information on this website to help you. You can also sign up to receive motivational stop smoking text message as you stop smoking.
COVID-19 and Stop Smoking London:
Pregnant woman are being advised to reduce social contact through social distancing measures as they are identified as a COVID-19 vulnerable group by the Chief Medical Officer.
If you're pregnant and worried about coronavirus, you can get advice from the Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists. For help to stop smoking call us now on 0300 123 1044. We are here to help you throughout your stop smoking journey.
Benefits of stopping
There is no safe level of smoking during pregnancy. The only way to reduce the risk of health problems for you and your baby is to stop smoking completely.
Every cigarette contains over 4,000 chemicals; these reduce the amount of oxygen and nutrients going to your baby. When you stop smoking, these chemicals start to leave your body immediately, so your baby gets the oxygen and nutrients needed to grow and develop.
Stopping smoking reduces your chances of having a miscarriage and greatly reduces the risk of having a baby born too early, underweight or stillborn. It also help to protect your baby from developing respiratory and ear infections and asthma and will reduce the risk of cot death.
Stopping smoking as early as possible in pregnancy is best but stopping at any time has benefits so stop now and you and your baby will start to feel the rewards straight away.
Second-hand smoke
Being exposed to other people's tobacco smoke (also called second-hand smoke) carries the same risks to your baby as mum smoking. A 100 percent smoke free environment is recommended for all women during pregnancy.
Stopping now means you and your partner are also protecting the future health of your baby. We know that children exposed to other people's tobacco smoke as they grow up are at increased risk of asthma, ear infections, meningitis and cot death.
Trying to conceive
Stopping smoking can improve your chance of becoming pregnant.
Smoking reduces fertility in both women and men and can increase the length of time it takes to get pregnant. Smoking can also reduce the success of fertility treatment.
We know that men who smoke have a lower sperm count than non-smokers, poorer quality sperm and increased impotence.
Smoking and stress
Many people think that smoking reduces stress but it doesn't! This is a myth that people believe because smoking relieves nicotine withdrawal symptoms like irritability and low mood - tricking you into believing it helps with stress.
It is proven that people who stop smoking have less anxiety, depression, and stress, plus improved mood than those who continue to smoke. By stopping now you can relax and enjoy the pregnancy.
Nicotine Replacment Therapy
Nicotine Replacement Therapy (often referred to as NRT in England) is free from your local stop smoking service or doctor whilst you're pregnant and there are a variety of products available.
Licensed products such as patches and lozenges are the recommended option in pregnancy. NRT provide clean, safe nicotine without the other chemicals in cigarette smoke.
If you're suffering with morning sickness the gum or lozenge may not be the best choice for you, while they work, they may not be tolerated so well. You may be better using an inhalator or mouthspray alongside a patch.
Before using these products, speak to your midwife, GP a pharmacist or a specialist stop smoking adviser in your borough to make sure you get the right one for you.
Tablets from your doctor
There are two types of tablets from your doctor that can help you to stop smoking but both Champix and Zyban are not recommended for use during pregnancy.
E-Cigarettes
Many smokers find e-cigarettes helpful when they stop smoking and they carry only a fraction of the risk. You can use an e-cigarette if it helps you, and it is much safer for you and your baby than continuing to smoke.
Help someone you care about stop today
What are your next steps?
Spend your money on something for you and your baby!
Stopping smoking is one of the most important things you can do to help you have a healthy baby, smooth pregnancy and safe delivery. Stopping smoking also means more money that can be spent on you and your new baby!
How much extra money will you have when you quit smoking?
In one week you could save
£38
That's some luxurious pregnancy skincare products for you
or
A Moses basket for baby
In one month you could save
£167
For a pregnancy photo shoot for you
or
Some cute new clothes for baby
In six months you could save
£1003
That’s a relaxing pregnancy spa break for you
or
A new pram, cot and car seat with all the accessories
In one year you could save
£2007
That’s a great babymoon getaway for you
or
A savings account for your baby’s future
In one week you could save
£77
That’s a relaxing pregnancy spa treatment for you
or
An activity centre or bouncer for baby
In one month you could save
£334
That’s a weekly antenatal yoga class throughout your pregnancy
or
A new nursery dresser and changing unit for baby
In six months you could save
£2007
That’s an amazing baby shower with your friends and family
or
A designer pushchair and carrycot travel system for baby
In one year you could save
£4015
That’s the deposit for a new family car
or
A fully kitted out and decorated nursery for baby
In one week you could save
£115
That’s a 4D ultrasound scan of your baby
or
A top of the range baby video monitor
In one month you could save
£501
That’s a night away for you in a luxury hotel
or
Over a year’s worth of nappies and baby wipes
In six months you could save
£3011
That’s a new post-pregnancy wardrobe
or
Baby’s first family holiday by the sea
In one year you could save
£6022
To save towards your maternity leave
or
A new and approved family car
