A smoke-free pregnancy

Smoking is harmful for your pregnancy and your baby

2 types of smoking may be distinguished:

Maternal smoking

During your pregnancy, your baby receives oxygen through your blood.
When you smoke, your blood is filled with carbon monoxide and other harmful substances contained in cigarettes. These substances cross the placental barrier and your baby receives less oxygen.

Passive smoking

Passive smoking is as dangerous as maternal smoking. During your pregnancy you should thus avoid all smoky areas and do not hesitate to ask your friends and family not to smoke in your presence.

Some of the consequences of smoking

• Increase in the time taken to conceive and decrease in successful IVF treatments (In Vitro Fertilisation).
• Increase in the number of miscarriages and extrauterine pregnancies.
• Lower infant birth weight.
• General maturational lag and/or prematurity.

It is never too late to stop smoking, even if your pregnancy has already begun. Giving up smoking will reduce the risks for both you and your child.

Do not hesitate to ask your midwife or doctor for advice. They will be able to guide you towards a personalised anti-smoking consultation.

DDA