Quitting smoking

Smoking is unhealthy for you and your baby. Smoking during pregnancy carries many additional risks:

• A woman who smokes is less likely to get pregnant
• There is an increased risk of miscarriage.
• There is a higher chance of a premature birth.
• Babies of smoking mothers are more likely to have growth retardation or low birth weight.
• There is a higher risk of congenital abnormalities, such as a cleft lip or club foot.
• Smoking increases the risk of SIDS after birth.
• A baby is more likely to have allergies and respiratory diseases.

QUITTING BEFORE PREGNANCY

Quitting is often difficult, but not impossible. It is best to stop before you get pregnant. You are much more fertile after you stopped, and the chance of a miscarriage is also smaller than if you only stop when you are already pregnant. Another advantage is that you can still use aids outside the pregnancy, such as nicotine replacement products (e.g., chewing gum or patches) or medicines. Your doctor can help you with this.

Discontinue using these aids during pregnancy.

As soon as you know you are pregnant, try to quit smoking as soon as possible. Smoking fewer cigarettes or light cigarettes does not have the desired effect, because the baby will still ingest harmful substances.
During pregnancy it is no longer possible to use medicines that can help you stop smoking. Nicotine replacements also contain nicotine, and this substance is bad for your baby. If you really can't stop without these drugs, you can choose to use them anyway (under the good guidance of your doctor). That is still better than smoking the entire pregnancy.

If you have not been able to stop smoking right away, it still makes sense to stop at any other time during the pregnancy. As soon as you stop, this has an immediate effect on the health of the baby!

STOP SMOKING PLAN

If you have decided for yourself that you are going to quit smoking, it is good to make a plan. Research shows that women who are prepared to quit smoking succeed better in this than women who do not make a plan. Making a plan doesn't have to be complicated at all. Your plan starts with setting a quit date. On that date you stop smoking. It is best to choose a date within three weeks from today. In your quit plan you can write down what you will do when you are having a hard time, who you can call for support and what reward you give yourself if you do not smoke. If you like, you can make such a stop plan together with your midwife.