Pregnancy & Smoking Facts

Smoking while pregnant puts both the mother and the baby at risk for disease. Some women may not be aware of the dangers while others simply do not care. It is important to be educated about the risks involved in smoking while pregnant.

Chemicals

The fetus absorbs all of the cancer-causing chemicals found in cigarettes through the placenta.

Miscarriages

Women are almost twice as likely to have a miscarriage if they smoke during pregnancy.

Birth Defects

Women who smoked during pregnancy are more likely to give birth to babies with defects.

Stunted Growth

Smoking while pregnant will slow down the growth of the fetus as well as the fetus's major organs.

Prevalence

Over 11 percent of women admitted to smoking during their pregnancy in 2002.

References

• Pregnancy Smoking Facts

Resources

• American Lung Association