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Smoking and pregnancy

7-minute read

Key facts

  • Smoking in pregnancy can harm both you and your baby.
  • Smoking in pregnancy is one of the main causes of stillbirth.
  • Even if you don’t smoke, you should avoid passive smoking (being around others when they smoke) while pregnant.
  • There are many strategies you can use to try and quit. Call Quitline on 13 7848 or ask your doctor for help.
  • Many people take a few tries to completely quit smoking, but the results are worth the effort.

How does smoking affect my fertility?

Quitting smoking increases your fertility for both females and males.

Females who smoke may have:

Males who smoke may have:

  • trouble getting and maintaining an erection
  • lower sperm count
  • damage to DNA in sperm causing health problems in your baby

How can smoking affect my baby?

Smoking during pregnancy exposes your baby to harmful chemicals. Every time you smoke, your baby effectively smokes too. Nicotine and other harmful chemicals pass through the placenta and into your baby’s body. Smoking also reduces blood flow to your baby.

Smoking while pregnant can result in a far higher risk of:

Exposure to smoking during pregnancy can increase your baby’s risk of developing many health conditions, even after birth. This includes a much higher risk of lung conditions, middle ear infections and dying from sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS).

Babies who are exposed to second-hand smoke are also more likely to have inflamed airways, allergies and infections.

Other conditions such as childhood cancers, obesity and dental problems are more common among children exposed to second-hand smoke. However, it is not yet clear that passive smoking causes these problems.

Can I still breastfeed if I smoke?

When you smoke, nicotine and other harmful chemicals are passed on to your baby through breast milk, so it’s important to try to quit. But even if you continue smoking, breastfeeding is still best for your baby.

If you do smoke while breastfeeding, it’s best to wait until after a feed to smoke. This will minimise your baby’s exposure to nicotine and other chemicals found in cigarettes.

I don’t smoke, but my partner does. Can passive smoking during pregnancy be harmful for my baby?

Passive smoking carries the same risks of harm to both you and your baby. Pregnancy may be a good time for your household to become smoke-free.

If your partner or other household members aren’t ready to quit, it’s a good idea to ask them to smoke outside the house or car. It’s illegal to smoke with kids in the car.

How can I cut down or quit smoking?

Totally quitting smoking is the best goal, but some people find it easier to start by cutting down.

There are many different quitting methods. Many people need to try a few different methods before they find one that works for them.

Every attempt to give up cigarettes is a step towards becoming an ex-smoker. Talking to your doctor is a good starting point, as is contacting Quitline.

Methods that work include:

  • going cold turkey — simply stopping smoking works for many people
  • gradually cutting down how much you smoke until you stop completely
  • support services such as Quitline
  • mobile apps, such as My QuitBuddy
  • nicotine replacement therapies
  • prescription medicines (not recommended if you are pregnant, but your partner can try this)

It’s a good idea to discuss your plans with your family and friends so they can support you.

What medicines or products can help me quit smoking?

Medicines that help to manage withdrawal symptoms — such as Champix (varenicline) or Zyban (bupropion) — are not recommended if you are pregnant or breastfeeding, but may be suitable for other members of your household. Nicotine replacement therapies (NRT) can help. They are readily available from pharmacies and some supermarkets, and come in two categories:

  • steady response products, such as nicotine patches
  • quick response products, such as chewing gum, lozenges, tablets and inhalers

Using NRT products is safer than smoking, but they can still be harmful to your baby. It is important to discuss the risks and benefits with your doctor or pharmacist and follow their advice.

If you are pregnant, it’s better to use NRT lozenges, mouth spray, gum or inhalators, which usually provide a lower daily dose of nicotine than the patch. However, if you have nausea or vomiting, you may prefer the patch. You can use the daytime patch to help you quit, but you should remove it before going to bed. You should not use the 24-hour nicotine patch during pregnancy.

Are e-cigarettes healthier than traditional cigarettes?

While some smokers have found that e-cigarettes (also known as ‘vaping’) are useful aids in giving up tobacco and tar, the long-term health effects are still unknown. Due to their ingredients, even non-nicotine e-cigarettes may be harmful to your baby.

Vaping or using e-cigarettes is not recommended as a first-line option to help you quit. If you have already tried other strategies and think that e-cigarettes may help you quit smoking, speak to your doctor.

Are low-tar or roll-your-own cigarettes safer than traditional cigarettes?

There’s no evidence that low-tar, roll-your-own or natural tobacco cigarettes are safer for you and your baby than regular cigarettes. It’s also not a good idea to switch to cannabis (marijuana) or using a water pipe instead of smoking. These substances carry their own risks to you and your baby, including low birth weight and poorer physical health.

Learn more here about the development and quality assurance of healthdirect content.

Last reviewed: August 2022


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Need more information?

Smoking, pregnancy and breastfeeding | NT.GOV.AU

Smoking during pregnancy, passive smoking and why you should quit smoking.

Read more on NT Health website

Smoking | Red Nose Australia

Smoking in pregnancy increases your baby’s risk of death during pregnancy and up to one year of age

Read more on Red Nose website

Smoking and pregnancy: in pictures | Raising Children Network

Smoking makes it harder to get pregnant and harms your baby if you’re pregnant. For help to quit smoking, call Quitline on 137 848, or speak to your GP.

Read more on raisingchildren.net.au website

Effects of caffeine, alcohol and smoking on reproductive outcomes

Some lifestyle behaviours are known to affect fertility, pregnancy health and the health of the baby at birth and in adulthood. Here is what you need to know about how caffeine, alcohol and smoking affect fertility and reproductive outcomes.

Read more on Your Fertility website

Smoking or vaping during pregnancy | ACT Health

Read more on ACT Health website

Smoking and vaping | ACT Health

Read more on ACT Health website

Passive smoking - Better Health Channel

Passive smoking means breathing other people's second-hand tobacco smoke. Passive smoking increases the risk of serious illness in both children and adults.

Read more on Better Health Channel website

Passive smoking and your health

Information on passive smoking and your health.

Read more on WA Health website

Passive smoking | Sydney Children's Hospitals Network

What is passive smoking? Passive smoking is breathing in smoke from other people’s cigarettes, cigars or pipes

Read more on Sydney Children's Hospitals Network website

Second-hand & third-hand smoking & vaping | Raising Children Network

Second-hand and third-hand smoke and vapour can cause serious health problems for children. To reduce risk, quit smoking and have a smoke-free home and car.

Read more on raisingchildren.net.au website

Call us and speak to a Maternal Child Health Nurse for personal advice and guidance.

Need further advice or guidance from our maternal child health nurses?

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