Vaping FAQs

can vaping harm your pregnancy

by Ms. Wendy Thompson PhD Published 2 years ago Updated 1 year ago
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Here are some very real and very serious problems that your baby is at risk of developing if you vape during pregnancy:

  • Your baby could be stillborn.
  • Your baby could be born with low birth weight, and may need to be kept in the NICU.
  • The chances of developing defects at birth increase.
  • There is risk of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome, colic, asthma, and ADHD.

Although the aerosol of e-cigarettes generally has fewer harmful substances than cigarette smoke, e-cigarettes and other products containing nicotine are not safe to use during pregnancy. Nicotine is a health danger for pregnant women and developing babies and can damage a developing baby's brain and lungs.

Full Answer

Is vaping when pregnant harmful to Your Baby?

Vaping during pregnancy has deeper implications. In utero exposure to nicotine, which is found in many vaping products, is known to directly harm fetuses by causing abnormal lung, heart, brain, and immune system development, which carries lifelong consequences.

What are the effects of vaping on pregnancy?

Other risks include:

  • Preterm labor
  • Stillbirth
  • Low birth weight
  • Birth defects

Is smoking weed bad for pregnant women?

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Is Vicks VapoRub bad for pregnant women?

You can safely use Vicks Vaporub if you’re pregnant. The main ingredients in Vaporub are camphor, eucalyptus oil, and menthol, all of which are safe for pregnant women in the small doses they’d receive from administering Vicks either topically or through inhaling it (source: DailyMed).

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Can vaping hurt a unborn baby?

Using electronic cigarettes (vaping) during pregnancy isn't safe. Most electronic cigarettes (e-cigarettes) contain nicotine, which permanently damages a baby's developing brain and many other organs. E-cigarette liquids also contain chemicals, flavors and other additives that might not be safe for your baby.

Can vaping cause a miscarriage?

Is vaping safe during pregnancy? No. Most vaping products contain nicotine, which is known to be harmful to a developing baby. Nicotine use in pregnancy can harm a baby's developing brain, can cause babies to be born too small or too early, and increases the chance of miscarriage, stillbirth, and SIDS.

Is vaping better than smoking while pregnant?

E-cigarettes don't burn tobacco and do not produce tar or carbon monoxide, which can cause serious harm to an unborn baby. Experts estimate that vaping is at least 95% less harmful than smoking.

At what stage of pregnancy does smoking affect the baby?

1. The most sensitive period for causing birth defects is the fifth to the 10th week after the last menstrual period (the third to eighth week of gestation).

How soon should you stop smoking while pregnant?

It Is Never “Too Late” to Quit Smoking During Pregnancy! Quitting smoking before getting pregnant is best. But for women who are already pregnant, quitting as early as possible can still help protect against some health problems for their developing babies, such as being born too small or too early.

How do you stop vaping when pregnant?

If you are having a hard time quitting during pregnancy on your own, or with counseling, you may consider nicotine replacement therapy (NRT). FDA-approved forms of NRT include nicotine gum, patches, inhalers, nasal spray, and lozenges.

Do they test newborns for nicotine?

Meconium drug screening identifies substances that can elicit newborn withdrawal symptoms. Including nicotine and/or its metabolites in the meconium drug screen helps discern the level of exposure and assists in the management of withdrawal symptoms.

How long does nicotine stay in a baby system?

The half-life of nicotine is approximately 2.5 hours in adults15 and 9–11 hours in newborns,16--one of the shortest half-lives of drugs used during pregnancy17.

Does nicotine increase miscarriage?

This finding strengthens the evidence that women should not smoke while pregnant, and all women of reproductive age should be warned that smoking increases the risk of miscarriage. Smoking during pregnancy causes low birthweight, placental abruption, and sudden infant death syndrome (1, 2).

What can cause a miscarriage?

Various factors increase the risk of miscarriage, including:Age. Women older than age 35 have a higher risk of miscarriage than do younger women. ... Previous miscarriages. ... Chronic conditions. ... Uterine or cervical problems. ... Smoking, alcohol and illicit drugs. ... Weight. ... Invasive prenatal tests.

Can vaping affect implantation?

Our results indicate that e-cigarettes negatively influence implantation success and the future health of the in utero exposed fetus, resulting in abnormal pregnancy outcomes.

Can vaping cause small baby?

Yes, vaping can cause birth defects due to the presence of nicotine, a toxic and addictive chemical. An unborn child is at risk of developmental problems like small head circumference, low birth weight, orofacial clefts, and other pregnancy issues like preterm birth, stillbirths, and sudden infant death syndrome.

What are the side effects of vaping (E-cigarettes) while pregnant?

The full effects of vaping and vaping while pregnant are still being investigated but the following are a list of the current known side effects:

How to stop vaping while pregnant?

Nicotine is dangerous for the baby and the mother and so it is best to choose a natural method of quitting smoking and vaping – one that avoids any drugs.

What are the risks of smoking cigarettes while pregnant?

Miscarriage. Placenta issues. Stillbirth. Low weight babies. Read more about the side effects of smoking while pregnant.

Can vaping harm a baby?

It can damage the baby’s brain and is a risk to both the mother’s lungs and the babies lungs 1. The best advice and safest advice is for expectant mothers not to vape because not enough is known about the safety of vaping especially during pregnancy and even juices without nicotine may contain harmful chemicals.

What are the conditions that can be exacerbated by the ultrafine particles inhaled by vapers?

Asthma & emphysema – these can be exacerbated by the ultrafine particles inhaled by vapers 11, 12

Is vaping liquid safe?

Some vaping liquids or juices do not contain nicotine but all vaping liquids contain chemicals which can be harmful. It is currently thought that vaping with a juice that does not contain nicotine is safer than with it. Read more about the side effects of nicotine vaping.

Is vaping bad for pregnant women?

Vaping during pregnancy is an extremely controversial issue. The expectant mother hasn’t done anything wrong and has simply found herself in a hugely difficult situation, like every other vaper and nicotine addict on the planet. Expectant mothers should be treated with kindness, understanding and respect.

What are the different types of e-cigarettes?

E-cigs also go by a lot of different names: 1 Vapes 2 Vape pens 3 Cig-alikes 4 E-hookahs 5 Hookah pens 6 Mods 7 Electronic nicotine delivery systems (ENDS)

How many people quit smoking with an e-cigarette?

E-cigarette users were more likely to quit smoking (18 percent) than those who used the patch or other nicotine replacement options (10 percent). While that sounds good at first, it means that more than 80 percent of the vaping group kept smoking.

Is vaping safer than smoking?

These may include nicotine (the stimulant in tobacco), natural or artificial flavors and scents, and vapor-producing chemicals like polyethylene glycol (the stuff in antifreeze). Some have few er risk y chemicals than others, but it's hard to make a safe choice. Here's why:

Can e-cigs help me quit smoking?

That's not likely. You may have heard that some people use e-cigs to help them quit smoking, but it's just not that simple.

Does vaping affect fertility?

There aren't any good human studies on vaping and fertility. Experts suspect that vaping may be less harmful than cigarette smoke, but isn't entirely safe. No matter how it's delivered, nicotine can affect fertility. To be on the safe side, you and your partner might want to quit altogether while you're trying to conceive.

Can pregnant women vape?

The Centers for Disease Control has also issued a warning that pregnant women should not vape. There are no studies on vaping during pregnancy, but we do know that any form of nicotine can affect a developing baby's brain and lungs.

Can e-cigarettes harm breastfeeding infants?

We don't know much about the effects of e-cigs on breastfeeding infants, but we do know that any secondhand smoke can be harmful to children.

How many women vape before pregnancy?

According to a March 2019 study, 7% of women reported vaping three months before pregnancy, while pregnant, or up to six months after delivery. More than 38% of women who vaped during the last trimester reported using products that contained nicotine. Further compounding the issue, vaping rates have skyrocketed among middle and high school girls. ...

Why did the FDA warn about vaping?

Food and Drug Administration (FDA) sent a warning letter to a prominent vaping products company, saying it had violated federal regulations because it did not receive agency approval to market its products as a healthier alternative to cigarettes.

Why do people vape?

There is no data to suggest vaping can help people quit smoking. In fact, there are several reasons that vaping may keep patients addicted to nicotine: 1 Vaping is more socially acceptable than smoking. ENDS typically don’t leave a noticeable scent in the user’s hair or clothing. 2 Sweet and fruity flavored products taste better than traditional tobacco to many patients. 3 The amount of nicotine is unregulated and not always appropriately labeled on packaging.

Is vaping better for pregnant women?

Unfortunately, many pregnant women have been led to believe that vaping instead of smoking is healthier for their babies. This confusion can be boiled down to a general lack of transparency with consumers and four widespread myths.

Can vaping harm a pregnant woman?

Vaping during pregnancy has deeper implications. In utero exposure to nicotine, which is found in many vaping products, is known to directly harm fetuses by causing abnormal lung, heart, brain, and immune system development, which carries lifelong consequences.

Can vaping help you quit smoking?

Myth 2: Vaping can help me quit smoking. There is no data to suggest vaping can help people quit smoking. In fact, there are several reasons that vaping may keep patients addicted to nicotine: Vaping is more socially acceptable than smoking. ENDS typically don’t leave a noticeable scent in the user’s hair or clothing.

Does vaping harm fetuses?

In utero exposure to nicotine, which is found in many vaping products, is known to directly harm fetuses by causing abnormal lung, heart, brain, and immune system development, which carries lifelong consequences.".

What Is Vaping?

Smoking an e-cigarette, or a similar device, is known as vaping. E-cigarettes are electronic cigarettes. They are battery-powered, and work on liquid-filled cartridges. They work when the liquid gets heated and turns into vapor. This vapor is then inhaled by the user. It is because of this that smoking an e-cigarette is known as vaping.

Why do people want e-cigarettes?

Most people opt for e-cigarettes when they are addicted to nicotine but want to find a way to reduce the dosage that they consume.

What E-Liquids Do E-Cigarettes Contain?

While there are many chemicals that may go into making the e-liquid, there are four standard ingredients that are used. These are nicotine, water, vegetable glycerine base of propylene glycol, and flavorings. Let us look at each component in a little more detail:

Can smoking cigarettes cause cancer?

Smoking regular cigarettes have been known to cause many health issues, out of which cancer is a very serious and notable one. E-cigarettes have also been linked to lung diseases and cancer. The level of nicotine that is present in e-cigarettes is not always reported correctly on the packaging.

Is vaping bad for pregnancy?

While there are the obvious health issues with nicotine, vaping can have some serious consequences when it comes to your pregnancy specifically. Here are some dangers caused by vaping of which you should be aware:

Is smoking e-cigarettes while pregnant dangerous?

How to Limit Exposure to E-Cigarettes When Pregnant. FAQs. Most people are well aware that smoking while pregnant is quite harmful to both the mother and the baby. Even so, some women may continue their nicotine habit even while they are expecting.

Is e-cigarette smoke harmful?

The vapor emitted from an e-cigarette is just as harmful as the smoke emitted from a regular cigarette.

How does vaping affect pregnancy?

However, nicotine use narrows the blood vessels, which can result in lack of oxygen and nutrients for the baby. At the same time, e-cigs contain chemicals that might be carcinogenic.

Is e-liquid carcinogenic?

On top of that, e-cigs contain many chemicals and experts can’t be sure which toxins reach the baby and which not. In fact, the Medicines and Healthcare Products Regulatory Agency revealed that some chemicals are carcinogenic. A study showed that after the e-liquid’s been heated, chemicals like formaldehyde are formed, which is carcinogenic.

Is vaping while pregnant safe?

Though it seems like it should be safer to vape without nicotine while pregnant, there are some studies that show that it is equally dangerous. Since these are early days in the context of vaping, there are no concrete results that definitively say that it is 100% safe or unsafe.

Can a newborn have nicotine withdrawal?

Asthma. ADHD. Note that the newborn may go through nicotine withdrawal, which can lead to trouble sleeping, eating disorders, and irritability. Therefore, many organizations, such as the American Congress of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, recommend avoiding vaping and smoking during pregnancy and breastfeeding.

Can vaping affect your health?

Far from the physical health of the pregnant woman, vaping may affect her social health . As often any unhealthy habit during pregnancy is easily stigmatized by people, expectant women who vape may experience isolation or verbal abuse, which can cause additional stress to the body. Any burst of cortisol can hurt the fetus.

Is vaping hard to regulate?

As e-cigs and vaporizers come in all shapes and flavors, vaping is something hard to regulate. In fact, up to 2016, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration couldn’t keep track on all the hundreds of brands and thousands of flavors on the market. What’s more, vaping and pregnancy is a topic that has not been researched in-depth yet;

Can vaping stop you from smoking?

Nobody can stop you, but the safest option, according to experts, is to stay away from vaping and smoking. Vaping can lead to numerous problems, such as difficulties with the placenta, premature birth, stillbirth, low weight, nicotine withdrawal, and congenital disabilities. Vaping after pregnancy also has a negative effect on kids ...

What are e-cigarettes called?

And the terminology is just as varied — you may hear them called e-cigs, cigalikes, vape pens, personalized vaporizers or mechanical mods.

Is e-cigarette regulated?

These products are difficult to study: No researcher would willingly put an expecting mom potentially in harm's way in the name of research. What's more, there are hundreds of e-cigarette brands and thousands of e-liquid flavors, and they just recently began to be regulated by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA).

Are e-cigarettes safer than regular cigarettes?

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and a 2016 Surgeon General report say that e-cigarettes are not safe for pregnant women, but because vaping has a potential benefit to smokers who are not pregnant, researchers are still conducting studies.

Is vaping dangerous when you're pregnant?

Smoking during pregnancy can be harmful to your baby both before and after birth — which is why many groups, including the AMA, AAP and the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG), which represents American OB-GYNs, urge moms to avoid lighting up at all during pregnancy.

Can vaping cause miscarriage?

That goes for conventional cigarettes as well as e-cigarettes, since vaping still exposes your baby to nicotine and other potentially harmful substances. Because e-cigarettes do contain nicotine, experts are concerned that they could also increase the risk for: Ectopic pregnancy. Miscarriage. Problems with the placenta (such as placental abruption)

Is e-cigarette vapor harmful?

But e-cigarette vapor definitely isn't harmless water vapor. The liquids used in e-cigarettes are typically made up of propylene glycol, vegetable glycerin, nicotine and flavoring chemicals. And some research has shown that when this liquid is heated at a high voltage (some vaping products allow the user to determine how low or high the voltage to produce more or less vapor), other chemicals are formed, and some of them, like formaldehyde, cause cancer.

Can you smoke cigarettes while pregnant?

Or, if you're a non-smoker, you might have wondered whether secondhand vapor from electronic cigarettes affects your baby.

Is it safe to quit smoking while pregnant?

Although it would be safer to quit altogether whilst pregnant, it is widely understood how difficult that can be.

Is vaping 0% nicotine safe for pregnant women?

As there is no nicotine, surely it can’t be that harmful to your baby? Again, the results from these studies cannot yet confirm if this is safe or not. Scientists are still unsure of the effects that e-liquid chemicals can have on unborn babies.

Can you vape while pregnant?

Vaping while pregnant. It’s common knowledge that smoking cigarettes whilst you are pregnant can harm your unborn child, and cause a myriad of health issues. Many of these health issues can cause permanent damage to your baby, and have negative effects for the duration of his or her entire life. Vaping is touted as a safer alternative ...

Can second-hand ‘vape smoke’ cause harm to pregnant women?

It is also worth noting that so-called “passive vaping” poses no known risks to bystanders.

What is an e-cigarette?

What are e-cigarettes? Electronic cigarettes (also called electronic nicotine delivery systems or e-cigarettes) come in different sizes and shapes, including pens, mods, (i.e., these types are modified by the user) and tanks. Most e-cigarettes contain a battery, a heating device, and a cartridge to hold liquid.

Is nicotine bad for babies?

Nicotine is a health danger for pregnant women and developing babies and can damage a developing baby’s brain and lungs. Also, some of the flavorings used in e-cigarettes may be harmful to a developing baby. Top of Page.

Is it safe to smoke e-cigarettes while pregnant?

You may have heard that e-cigarettes are safer than regular cigarettes or that they can help you to quit smoking. Quitting can be hard—but if you’re pregnant, quitting all forms of tobacco products, including e-cigarettes, is best for you and your baby. Learn more about resources to quit all tobacco products.

Can you quit smoking after a baby is born?

After your baby is born, you will have more options for FDA-approved quit-smoking medications. E-cigarettes are not approved by the FDA to help people quit smoking. It’s important to know that nicotine is poisonous, and parents and caregivers should keep all products containing nicotine, including e-cigarettes and stop-smoking medications, ...

Are e-cigarettes safer than regular cigarettes in pregnancy?

Although the aerosol of e-cigarettes generally has fewer harmful substances than cigarette smoke, e-cigarettes and other products containing nicotine are not safe to use during pregnancy . Nicotine is a health danger for pregnant women and developing babies and can damage a developing baby’s brain and lungs. Also, some of the flavorings used in e-cigarettes may be harmful to a developing baby.

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