Avoid Smoking
Smoking can cause many serious health problems for both you and your baby. Smoking damages your lungs, can shorten your lifespan and exposes your growing baby to the dangers of secondhand smoke. Avoid smoking around your baby and consider quitting either on your own or with help from a smoking cessation program.
The Dangers of Secondhand Smoke
Secondhand smoke is a mixture of smoke given off by the burning end of a cigarette, pipe or cigar and the smoke exhaled from the lungs of a smoker. Secondhand smoke is also called passive smoke, and exposure to this smoke is called involuntary smoking.
Secondhand smoke is a very serious health risk for your baby. It affects an infant’s small, developing lungs. Research shows that it can make your baby more prone to colds, coughs and wheezing and can put them at higher for pneumonia, bronchitis, ear infections and asthma. It also may increase the risk of a baby dying from Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS).
For your baby’s health and safety, do not smoke or allow others to smoke around your baby or inside your home.
How to Quit Smoking
Making the decision to quit is a choice that only you can make, but remember that this decision is important for you and your baby’s health. Steps to consider on your journey to quit smoking after you’re pregnant include:
- Making a solid decision to quit.
- Setting a quit date.
- Choosing a quitting plan.
- Dealing with withdrawal.
- Staying positive, but also being watchful, careful and firm in your decision.
Your health care provider can share helpful resources for this journey. We are here to support you with this decision. If you’re ready quit TODAY, Cone Health's Virtual Urgent Care team is also available immediately to start your journey to a tobacco free life. Learn more about this program and other smoking cessation resources offered by Cone Health and other organizations.
