Pregnancy and smoking

We know that it can be difficult to quit smoking. But we also know that you want to give your baby the best possible start in life.

Protecting your baby from tobacco smoke is one of the best things you can do to give your child a healthy start in life. Even if you’re not smoking when pregnant, it’s good to be aware of second-hand smoke too.

Every cigarette harms

Every cigarette you smoke in pregnancy harms your unborn baby. Cigarettes restrict the oxygen supply to your baby, so their heart has to beat harder every time you smoke. Cigarettes also contain over 4,000 chemicals which are all harmful to both you and your baby.

Once your baby is born, if you smoked during pregnancy, your baby will experience nicotine withdrawal as their body was dependant on yours. This can make your baby stressed and irritable and it may be difficult to stop them crying.

Smoking when pregnant also increases the risk of your baby dying from cot death by at least 25%.

It’s never too late to stop smoking

No matter what stage you’re at in your pregnancy, it’s never too late to stop smoking.

The Greenwich Stop Smoking Service offers pregnant women free support to help with stopping smoking.

Text ‘QUIT’ to 60060

Email lg.smokefreegreenwich2030@nhs.net  – just send your name and telephone number.

Call the Live Well Greenwich Line on 0800 470 4831 to be connected with a friendly, trained Stop Smoking Advisor.

The NHS also offers specialist support for pregnant women who want to quit.