Quitting smoking during pregnancy is one of the most important things an expectant parent can do for their baby’s health. Cigarette smoke contains more than 7,000 chemicals — many of which cross the placental barrier and directly affect fetal development. Here’s what you need to know, and what you can do.
Risks of Smoking During Pregnancy
- Miscarriage: Smoking significantly increases risk of pregnancy loss in all trimesters
- Preterm birth: Smokers are twice as likely to deliver preterm (<37 weeks)
- Low birth weight: Nicotine restricts blood flow to the placenta, reducing nutrient delivery; babies of smokers average 200g lighter
- Placental complications: Placenta previa and placental abruption risk increases significantly
- Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS): Babies born to smokers have 2–3x higher SIDS risk
- Fetal development: Exposure to carbon monoxide reduces oxygen to the developing brain
- Long-term childhood health: Higher rates of asthma, respiratory infections, and behavioral problems in children of smoking mothers
It’s Never Too Late to Quit During Pregnancy
The benefits of quitting begin immediately — even in late pregnancy. Stopping smoking at any point during pregnancy reduces risks for the baby. A mother who quits in the third trimester still meaningfully reduces SIDS risk, improves birth weight outcomes, and gives the baby better oxygen levels during delivery.
Safest Ways to Quit Smoking While Pregnant
Always consult your OB/GYN first. Treatment approaches during pregnancy require medical guidance. With that said, here’s what is generally recommended:
- Behavioral replacement (QuitGo®): As a nicotine-free, tobacco-free tool, QuitGo® delivers no harmful substances. It addresses the hand-to-mouth behavioral habit — one of the hardest parts of quitting — without any chemical exposure to the baby.
- Counseling and support: Pregnancy is associated with high motivation to quit; counseling during this period has some of the best quit rates of any life stage.
- NRT (with doctor approval): Some OB/GYNs may recommend nicotine patches or gum as a lesser-harm option compared to continued smoking — but this varies and requires professional guidance.
- Prescription medication: Most cessation medications are not recommended during pregnancy without careful medical consideration.
After the Baby Arrives: Don’t Start Again
The postpartum period is a high-risk relapse window. Stress, sleep deprivation, and the end of pregnancy motivation can combine to trigger smoking again. Keeping QuitGo® on hand through the postpartum period provides a safe, nicotine-free behavioral tool for stress moments when the urge to smoke feels strong.
Secondhand Smoke and Your Baby
Even if you quit smoking, living with smokers exposes your baby to secondhand smoke — which carries many of the same risks as direct smoking exposure. Establishing a smoke-free home and smoke-free environment around your baby is as important as quitting yourself. See our guide on secondhand smoke dangers for more.
Related: How to Quit Smoking | Nicotine-Free Alternatives | Benefits of Quitting Smoking