Smoking and pregnancy

Stopping smoking increases your chances of having a child!

The toxic substances in tobacco smoke damage DNA and the human reproductive cells: smoking leads to a drop in fertility, interferes with sperm production in men and reduces the number of eggs in each ovary in women.

How smoking affects the baby

Effects on the foetus:

  • stunted growth (below-average weight, size and head circumference),
  • risk of premature birth is 3 times as high,
  • risk of birth defects,
  • stunted lung growth,
  • reduced oxygen level in the blood,
  • reduced nutrient supply,
  • increased foetal distress.

Effects on the baby:

  • risk of sudden infant death syndrome is twice as high,
  • impaired intellectual development,
  • respiratory problems: bronchitis, ear infections, pneumonia, chronic cough, asthma, bronchiolitis,
  • greater susceptibility to illness,
  • more crying,
  • lack of attention,
  • nervousness.

Impact on breastfeeding

The presence of nicotine in your milk, in small or large doses, can affect the quality of feeds. To start with, tobacco reduces your prolactin level (hormone that triggers milk production). Mothers who smoke find that they quickly run out of milk.

Nicotine also interferes with the let-down reflex: milk flows more slowly and less easily.

Consequence:

  • babies struggle to feed,
  • take in fewer nutrients
  • and gain less weight.

Mothers who smoke and need help to give up can speak to their GP or a smoking cessation specialist.

Replacement products (such as gums and patches) can be prescribed: if they are used correctly, the amount of nicotine absorbed by the mother is much lower than if she had smoked a pack of cigarettes. They also prevent the child from being exposed to various other toxic substances in cigarette smoke (in particular, carbon monoxide); consuming these products is therefore considered less harmful than smoking.

How can you stop?

Finding out that you are pregnant is the perfect opportunity to stop smoking.

Some people, however, find it really tough to actually take the step.

Do not assume that smoking fewer than 5 cigarettes a day is harmless: carbon monoxide, the main toxic substance in cigarette smoke, remains in your blood. Furthermore, when heavy smokers reduce their consumption, they inhale the cigarette smoke more intensely and increase the absorption and harmfulness of the combustion products (including tar and carbon monoxide).

Many maternity hospitals now offer specialist consultations, allowing a tailored strategy to be developed for each individual. This is the best solution for people who know from the outset that they will not be able to stop smoking on their own.

If the urge to smoke is too strong, do not hesitate to consult a specialist, who can help you find the method of quitting that is right for you.

Maternity hospitals in Luxembourg

(free antenatal classes)

Publications

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