Smoking and Pregnancy
Anyone who smokes faces a higher risk of developing cancer, lung disease, heart disease and other health problems. But smoking during pregnancy can harm the health of both mothers and their unborn babies. Pregnant women who smoke are allowing their unborn babies to smoke.
Smoking during pregnancy can cause:
- stillbirth
- prematurity
- low birth weight
- sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS)
- asthma and other respiratory problems
Quitting While Pregnant
Quitting smoking is not easy for anyone. But there is no more important time to make quitting a priority than when a woman is bringing a new baby into the world. Quitting now will improve and protect the health of both mother and baby.
Pregnant women can get help with quitting smoking. Talk to your doctor or contact one of these programs for help and resources:
- MomsFirst, a program of the Cleveland Department of Public Health, offers home visiting services to pregnant women in the City of Cleveland
- Steps to a Healthier Cleveland offers free Freedom From Smoking classes for City of Cleveland residents and employees - click here to contact us
- Ohio Tobacco QUIT Line or 1-800-QUIT-NOW is a free online or telephone help line for people looking to quit smoking
