Myths vs facts | Right Decisions

You might have been told a lot of different things about smoking in pregnancy, or quitting while you're pregnant.

It can sometimes be hard to know what's true and what's not, and who to believe as even someone who's got your best interest at heart might be giving you out of date information.

We've listed the most common myths that we hear about smoking in pregnancy and give you the facts you can trust.

Myth #1: I’m pregnant and have been smoking, so there is no point in stopping now.

Fact: Quitting smoking at any stage of your pregnancy has health benefits for you and your baby. Even after just one day of not smoking, your baby will get more oxygen. This will help your baby’s lungs develop well. Quitting now also lowers your chances of having a baby with low birth weight.

Myth #2: Quitting smoking will be too stressful on my baby.

Fact: Quitting smoking doesn’t put extra stress on your baby. It’s one of the best things that you can do for your health and your baby’s health during pregnancy—and after the baby is born. By quitting smoking now, you will be protecting your infant from the dangers of secondhand smoke and reducing the risk of sudden infant death syndrome.

Myth #3: Smoking fewer cigarettes or switching to e-cigarettes during pregnancy is OK.

Fact: There is no safe amount of smoking. Every puff of a cigarette releases harmful chemicals that will reach your baby and affect your health too.

Myth #4: Smoking relaxes me, and being relaxed is better for me and my baby.

Fact: Smoking may make you feel calmer, but it hurts your body more than it helps. The relaxed feeling is only temporary and whatever is causing your stress will likely return. Smoking speeds up your heart rate and increases your blood pressure. It also increases the carbon monoxide in your bloodstream, which means your baby gets less oxygen.

Myth #5: There is nothing wrong with having a small baby.

Fact: Smoking during pregnancy increases the chances of having a low birth weight baby. Babies with low birth weight are more likely to have serious health problems than normal weight babies. These problems can affect your baby’s health now, throughout their childhood, and into adulthood.

Myth #6: The only way to quit smoking is cold turkey.

Fact: Pregnant women have other ways to quit smoking besides cold turkey. Contact the Quit Your Way Maternity Service for support information and advice on the best ways to quit for you.

Myth #7: I smoked during my last pregnancy and had a healthy baby, so this next baby will be healthy, too.

Fact: Every time you smoke during pregnancy, you put your baby’s health at risk. If you smoked and had a healthy pregnancy in the past that does not mean your next one will be healthy, too.