Smoking and Pregnancy

You may have heard or already know that smoking when you are pregnant puts your baby’s health and our own health at risk, but here are some things that you might not know can happen:

  • Your baby may be born prematurely
  • Your baby may be smaller-than-average at birth because it is not getting enough oxygen and nutrition.  This can lead to more health problems for your baby.
  • Your baby is at increased risk for sudden infant death syndrome, asthma, bronchitis and pneumonia, ear infections, and colds.
  • You are at higher risk for having a miscarriage

The good news is that if you are able to quit or cut down on smoking, you can lower the risk of harm for you and your baby!

 Quitting, cutting down, and everything in between

If you are thinking about or are ready to quit, that is great news!  If you don’t know where to start, are wondering about different options, have questions you want answered or just want someone to talk to, contact your CPNP worker, nurse, or doctor.  It is very important that you get the right support because it will help you have a greater chance of being successful. 

We understand that quitting is a very hard thing to do, and you might not be ready to quit right now.  Even if you are not ready to quit, even cutting down on the number of cigarettes you smoke each day can decrease harm to you and your baby. 

Tips to cut back on smoking

Here are some things you can do to try to cut down:

1. Cigarette Fading.  The goal of cigarette fading is to gradually cut down on the number of cigarettes you smoke each day.  The way to do it is to gradually increase the time between each cigarette so that at the end of each day, you will have smoked fewer cigarettes.
2. Delay.  Delay the time you start to smoke when you get a craving.  Eg. Delay the first cigarette of the day.
3. Escape.  Escape means to try to avoid situations that make you want to smoke. 
4. Evade.  Evading means to avoid situations where you know there will be smoking so that you won’t be tempted to do the same. Eg. Hang out with non-smoking friends or go to non-smoking places.
5. Distract. Distract yourself with something to keep your mind focused on something other than smoking.  Eg. Play cards or wash the dishes.
6. Substitute. Substitute cigarette cravings with other, healthier alternatives that will still keep your mouth and hands busy.  Eg. Chew on gum or chew on a hard candy.

Above content adapted from North STARSS (Start Thinking About Second Hand Smoke) Program.

 

There are many other programs and strategies that can help you start thinking about quitting or cutting down your smoking.  Talk to your CPNP Worker, CHR, Nurse, Doctor, Midwife, Elder or someone else you trust to see what will work best for you. 

See the How to Quit Smoking section for more information on quitting smoking.