Quitting smoking means
 |
You are less likely to develop cervical cancer. |
| |
You are less likely to be infertile. |
| |
There is less chance of early menopause. |
| |
Women who do not smoke and use the combined contraceptive pill are less likely to develop heart disease than pill users who do smoke. |
| |
Women who have stopped smoking take no longer to become pregnant than women who have never smoked. |
| |
Men reduce their risk of impotence, can improve sexual potency, and have an improved sperm count and quality. |
Pregnancy and Smoking
There is no safe level of smoking throughout your pregnancy. Smoking during pregnancy makes it harder for an unborn baby to get the oxygen and nourishment the baby needs to survive. The good news is that by stopping smoking your baby benefits straight away.
Smoking is known to affect a baby's development in the womb before it is born. Chemicals in tobacco smoke - nicotine, carbon monoxide and other toxic chemicals - pass through the placenta to the baby. Nicotine increases the baby's heart rate and breathing just as it affects the mothers.
Quitting smoking means:
| |
You are less likely to have a miscarriage. |
| |
You are less likely to have a baby of low birth weight baby (low birth weight is associated with higher risk of death and disease in infancy and early childhood). Quitting smoking by the father is important too. |
| |
You are less likely to bleed during pregnancy. |
| |
You are less likely to have a baby with poor lung development. |
| |
You are less likely to experience delivery complications. |
Birth and Beyond
Quitting smoking means
| |
The baby is more likely to be born at the right time. |
| |
The baby is less likely to become distressed during labour and you are less likely to need forceps or a caesarean for the birth. |
| |
Babies are less likely to die at, or soon after birth, and are less likely to have health problems. |
| |
Babies are less likely to be cared for in the nursery and separated from their mother. |
| |
Babies are less likely to die from sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS) or cot death. Quitting smoking by the father also means the baby is less likely to die from cot death. |
| |
Babies will find it easier to fight infections. |
| |
Children are less likely to have learning problems later in life. |
| |
Babies are more likely to feed properly and be more settled, making happier home environments. |
Breastfeeding
Quitting smoking means
| |
There are no tobacco poisons being passed to the baby through the breast milk. |
| |
You will produce more breast milk. |
| |
Your baby will feed better. |
If you do continue to smoke while breastfeeding, then it is better to smoke after you have fed rather than before or during a feed.
Passive smoke: dangerous for babies, dangerous for children.
Quitting smoking means Your baby is not being exposed to the dangerous chemicals in cigarettes.
Your baby will be more settled and will feed better.
Your baby is less likely to die from SIDS.
Your baby is less likely to develop lung and ear infections, and asthma.
Your baby is more likely to have normal lung function and growth.
Your baby is less likely to be hospitalised.
What can I do? Think about quitting - for yourself and your baby. Stopping smoking at any stage, before, during and after pregnancy is beneficial, the earlier the better.
Partners can help too
If you smoke and your partner is pregnant, giving up yourself is one of the best ways to help. If you don’t feel ready to quit, you can still help:
Avoid smoking inside your car, home or around your partner.
After the birth, do not smoke near your baby.
If your partner smokes, encourage her to quit smoking for herself and the baby.
Support your partner in giving up by not leaving cigarettes, lighters and ashtrays lying around.
Help is available
For information, help and specialist advice on stopping smoking during pregnancy, call the Pregnancy Quitline 1300 889 010 (SA residents only). Advisors are specially trained to help you through the special challenges of quitting and staying quit once your baby is born.
A range of free resources are available that provide further information and advice on stopping smoking.
Drugs in Pregnancy Information Line
08 8161 7222
Child and Youth Health Parent Helpline (24hrs)
Ph: 1300 364 100 (local call cost from anywhere in South Australia)
For mobile callers, ph: (08) 8303 1555 (normal rates apply)
Child and Youth Health Parent Helpline provides telephone information, counselling and support - 24 hours a day, seven days a week, every day of the year for parents in South Australia.
http://www.cyh.com/SubContent.aspx?p=102
Information 
