Exposure to tobacco smoke can also harm an unborn baby. Chemicals from tobacco smoke, such as carbon monoxide and nicotine, can cross the placenta to affect the unborn baby. Babies born to mothers who smoke have a greater risk of preterm birth and low birth weight, as well as low oxygen levels, developmental and learning problems, visual and respiratory problems, bleeding in the brain, and jaundice.
Pregnant women who smoke, or who are exposed to second-hand smoke, have a higher risk of pregnancy complications such as miscarriage, ectopic pregnancy, or gestational hypertension.
Environmental tobacco smoke (ETS), also known as second-hand and third-hand smoke, can also cause health problems for children after birth. The harmful products in tobacco smoke can also be passed to the infant in breast milk. When children breathe in ETS, they are passively smoking. Passive smoking can cause ear, throat and/or lung infections, asthma, allergies, coughing, and wheezing, and may lead to SIDS (Sudden Infant Death Syndrome). The effects of ETS will continue to harm the health of children and their mothers until smoking is completely removed from their environment.
Third-hand smoke, the chemicals from smoke that remain even after the smoke is gone, is also dangerous. Third-hand smoke can get trapped in hair, skin, fabric, carpet, furniture, dust, and all indoor surfaces over time. These chemicals pollute the air and can adversely affect people’s health. Infants are especially susceptible to third-hand smoke because they breathe more quickly and spend more time on the floor where there is a build-up of chemicals.
It is important for both the woman’s health and the health of her baby to have a smoke-free environment. Most women know the general health effects of smoking on their health. Healthcare providers, friends, family members, and others who support pregnant women are encouraged to explore what pregnant women know and understand about how tobacco smoke affects their pregnancy, unborn baby, and children. Every woman has her own reasons for smoking and quitting smoking.
According to the Society of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists of Canada (SOGC), the safety of vaping has not been established in pregnancy. E-cigarettes and other nicotine-containing products are known to be harmful to the developing baby and may cause harm to the brain and lungs of the developing baby. In addition, the safety of some of the chemicals and flavorings used in e-cigarettes have not been established.
It is recommended that pregnant women and women planning to become pregnant avoid use of e-cigarettes and speak to their health care provider for support in quitting smoking.
For help and support to quit smoking, call Smokers’ HelpLine at 1-877-513-5333 or visit www.smokershelpline.ca or www.pregnets.org.
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