The effects of smoking whilst pregnant and how to get support to stop smoking.

Smoking in pregnancy is harmful to your baby. By quitting smoking, you can protect your baby's health during pregnancy and after they're born.

Cigarettes release over 7,000 chemicals when burnt, these chemicals can harm your baby and reduce the amount of oxygen and nutrients your baby receives from the placenta.

Smoking can increase the risk of:

  • miscarriage
  • premature birth
  • low birthweight or small baby
  • stillbirth
  • birth defects

This may be hard to read if you're a smoker, but support is available. If you want expert help, you can refer yourself to our stop smoking service.