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does smoking or vaping while pregnant affect fetal development

by Mrs. Jewel Jacobson Published 1 year ago Updated 1 year ago

The negative impact on both fertility and fetal health should serve as a caution for women who vape that are considering becoming pregnant. Researchers from Oregon State University found in a meta-analysis that “e-cigarette usage during pregnancy will be as harmful to fetal lung development as is conventional cigarette usage.”

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 it safe to use vaping during pregnancy?

There is emerging evidence that vaping during pregnancy may increase the risk of small for gestational age newborns. Pregnant women generally report that they used vaping products during pregnancy for smoking cessation and perceived that this was a healthier alternative to traditional cigarettes.

How does smoking during pregnancy affect the foetus?

Smoking during pregnancy affects foetal brain development Smoking during pregnancy exposes the foetus to thousands of health-threatening chemicals, restricting foetal body and head growth. Alterations in brain structure and function have been seen in children exposed to prenatal smoking.

How can smoking harm you and Your Baby?

How Can Smoking Harm You and Your Baby? 1 Your baby may be born too small, even after a full-term pregnancy. 2 Your baby may be born too early (premature birth). Premature babies often have health problems... 3 Smoking can damage your baby’s developing lungs and brain. 4 Smoking doubles your risk of abnormal bleeding during pregnancy and delivery.

Is it safe to smoke during pregnancy?

If you smoked and had a healthy pregnancy in the past, there’s no guarantee that your next pregnancy will be healthy. When you smoke during pregnancy, you put your health and your baby’s health at risk. 3 Smoking can cause fertility problems for you or your partner. Women who smoke have more trouble getting pregnant than women who don’t smoke.

Is vaping safe during pregnancy?

Is it safe to smoke e-cigarettes while pregnant?

Can a baby smoke e-cigarettes?

Can pregnant women smoke e-cigarettes?

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Can vaping cause birth defects?

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.

Is it better to vape or smoke when pregnant?

Carbon monoxide is particularly harmful to developing babies. The vapour from an e-cigarette does contain some of the potentially harmful chemicals found in cigarette smoke, but at much lower levels. If using an e-cigarette helps you to stop smoking, it is much safer for you and your baby than continuing to smoke.

Can you have a healthy baby if you smoke during pregnancy?

Smoking doubles your risk of abnormal bleeding during pregnancy and delivery. This can put both you and your baby in danger. Smoking raises your baby's risk for birth defects, including cleft lip, cleft palate, or both. A cleft is an opening in your baby's lip or in the roof of her mouth (palate).

How does smoking affect a fetus development in the womb?

Smoking during pregnancy can cause tissue damage in the unborn baby, particularly in the lung and brain, and some studies suggests a link between maternal smoking and cleft lip. Studies also suggest a relationship between tobacco and miscarriage.

How long does nicotine stay in a fetus system?

This pilot study represents the first examination of specific effects of maternal smoking during on infant neurobehavior at 10–27 days. 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.

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 common are birth defects from smoking?

Babies born to mothers who smoked had roughly 20% to 30% higher odds of having shortened or missing arms and legs, cleft lips and cleft palates, and abnormally shaped heads or faces compared to babies born to nonsmoking mothers.

Can you tell a smoker by the placenta?

Smokers have thinner, rounder placentas than nonsmokers and the distance from the edge of rupture of the membranes to the placental margin is reduced among smokers.

Can smoking while pregnant cause autism?

Smoking in Pregnancy Could be Linked to Increased Risk of High-Functioning Autism. A new study suggests women who smoke during pregnancy may be more likely to have a child with high-functioning autism.

Can smoking during pregnancy cause developmental delays?

According to CDC, smoking while pregnant can cause an infant to have low birth weight, breathing problems and brain damage that causes cerebral palsy. Smoking can also cause developmental delays problem with the child's hearing and eyesight, and pregnant women risk of abnormal bleeding during pregnancy and delivery.

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 does nicotine affect a babies brain?

Nicotine exposure early in fetal development adversely affects the synaptic development and function of serotonin systems as well as those of other monoamines (dopamine, norepinephrine), eliciting neuronal damage and cell death, as well as suppressing both presynaptic and postsynaptic elements required for ...

Is it OK to vape when pregnant?

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.

Which is worse vaping or smoking?

1: Vaping is less harmful than smoking, but it's still not safe. E-cigarettes heat nicotine (extracted from tobacco), flavorings and other chemicals to create an aerosol that you inhale. Regular tobacco cigarettes contain 7,000 chemicals, many of which are toxic.

Can I smoke at 6 weeks pregnant?

Smoking can increase your baby's risk of birth defects, preterm birth, low birth weight, and SIDS. Smoking during pregnancy can also cause pregnancy complications, including abnormal bleeding, miscarriage, and stillbirth. There's no safe amount of cigarette smoke during pregnancy, so the sooner you quit the better.

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.

Outlook For Mother and Baby

Most people know that smoking causes cancer and other major health problems. And smoking while you’re pregnant can cause serious problems, too. You...

How Does Smoking Affect Fertility?

Smoking can cause fertility problems for you or your partner. Women who smoke have more trouble getting pregnant than women who don’t smoke. In men...

How Can Smoking Harm You and Your Baby?

1. Your baby may be born too small, even after a full-term pregnancy. Smoking slows your baby’s growth before birth. 2. Your baby may be born too e...

How Can A Premature Birth Harm Your Baby?

If you smoke during pregnancy, you are more likely to give birth too early. A baby born 3 weeks or more before your due date is premature.5 Babies...

How Can Quitting Help You and Your Baby?

The best time to quit smoking is before you get pregnant, but quitting at any time during pregnancy can help your baby get a better start on life....

Support For Quitting During Pregnancy

Most pregnant women who smoke want to quit, but quitting isn’t always easier during pregnancy. What’s more, if you’re pregnant and still smoking, y...

Stay Smokefree For A Healthy Child

Staying smokefree is important. Tobacco smoke contains a deadly mix of more than 7,000 chemicals.9 When your child is not exposed to smoke, you can...

What Are The Effects of Vaping While Pregnant? | MIST E Cigarettes

Aiden started vaping in 2012 and hasn’t looked back since. He has been working in the vape industry for 5 of those years, and now creates content on various channels covering a vast array of vaping topics.

Is It Safe For Me To Vape While I'm Pregnant? | e-cigaretteuk.org.uk

Women who are pregnant have more than their own health and wellbeing to consider as everything that they do and consume could have an impact upon their growing baby. Everyone knows that pregnant women should avoid smoking regular tobacco cigarettes, however it isn’t always easy to kick the habit and if you find that you’re […]

How does smoking affect babies?

Health Effects of Smoking and Secondhand Smoke on Babies. Mothers who smoke are more likely to deliver their babies early. Preterm delivery is a leading cause of death, disability, and disease among newborns. 1,2. One in every five babies born to mothers who smoke during pregnancy has low birth weight. Mothers who are exposed to secondhand smoke ...

How many babies are born to mothers who smoke?

One in every five babies born to mothers who smoke during pregnancy has low birth weight. Mothers who are exposed to secondhand smoke while pregnant are more likely to have lower birth weight babies. Babies born too small or too early are not as healthy. 1,2,3. Both babies whose mothers smoke while pregnant and babies who are exposed ...

How many times more likely are babies to die from smoking?

1,2,3 Babies whose mothers smoke are about three times more likely to die from SIDS. 1.

Does smoking during pregnancy affect the baby?

Smoking During Pregnancy. Smoking reduces a woman’s chances of getting pregnant.1,2. Smoking during pregnancy increases the risk for pregnancy complications. 1,2. Tobacco smoke harms babies before and after they are born.1,3.

Can smoking cause cleft lip?

Smoking during pregnancy can cause tissue damage in the unborn baby, particularly in the lung and brain, and some studies suggests a link between maternal smoking and cleft lip. 1,2. Studies also suggest a relationship between tobacco and miscarriage. Carbon monoxide in tobacco smoke can keep the developing baby from getting enough oxygen.

How Can Quitting Help You and Your Baby?

The best time to quit smoking is before you get pregnant, but quitting at any time during pregnancy can help your baby get a better start on life. Talk to your doctor about the best ways to quit while you’re pregnant or trying to get pregnant.

How does smoking affect babies?

How Can Smoking Harm You and Your Baby? 1 Your baby may be born too small, even after a full-term pregnancy. Smoking slows your baby’s growth before birth. 2 Your baby may be born too early (premature birth). Premature babies often have health problems. 5 3 Smoking can damage your baby’s developing lungs and brain. The damage can last through childhood and into the teen years. 4 4 Smoking doubles your risk of abnormal bleeding during pregnancy and delivery. This can put both you and your baby in danger. 5 5 Smoking raises your baby’s risk for birth defects, including cleft lip, cleft palate, or both. A cleft is an opening in your baby’s lip or in the roof of her mouth (palate). He or she can have trouble eating properly and is likely to need surgery. 1, 4 6 Babies of moms who smoke during pregnancy—and babies exposed to cigarette smoke after birth—have a higher risk for SIDS. 1

What is a cleft in a baby's mouth?

A cleft is an opening in your baby’s lip or in the roof of her mouth (palate). He or she can have trouble eating properly and is likely to need surgery. 1, 4. Babies of moms who smoke during pregnancy—and babies exposed to cigarette smoke after birth—have a higher risk for SIDS. 1. Top of Page.

How long does it take for a baby to breathe?

Your baby gets more oxygen, even after just 1 day. Your baby will grow better. Your baby is less likely to be born too early. You’ll have more energy and breathe more easily. You will be less likely to develop heart disease, stroke, lung cancer, lung disease, and other smoking-related diseases.

When is the best time to quit smoking?

The best time to quit smoking is before you get pregnant, but quitting at any time during pregnancy can help your baby get a better start on life. Talk to your doctor about the best ways to quit while you’re pregnant or trying to get pregnant.

Does smoking cause impotence?

Smoking can cause fertility problems for you or your partner. Women who smoke have more trouble getting pregnant than women who don’t smoke. In men, smoking can damage sperm and contribute to impotence (erectile dysfunction, or ED).

Can smoking cigarettes cause a baby to die?

And smoking while you’re pregnant can cause serious problems, too. Your baby could be born too early, have a birth defect, or die from sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS). Even being around cigarette smoke can cause health problems for you and your baby. 1. It’s best to quit smoking before you get pregnant.

Can vaping affect the fetus?

Altering the blood supply in the fetal environment can create a hostile environment for the fetus and result in serious issues during child and adult life. A major finding from a prior work published by Olfert and Chantler in the Journal of Applied Physiology in 2018 showed the vaping produced similar dysfunctional response in blood vessels of male and female animals as did smoking cigarettes. So there is great concern that women who are switching to vaping during pregnancy because they think it is better than smoking are wrong, and that vaping will lead to the same problems and complications for offspring as smoking.

What is the phone number for West Virginia University?

Call 1-855-WVU-NEWS for the latest West Virginia University news and information from WVUToday.

Who is Mark Olfert?

Mark Olfert, WVU associate professor, is the contact principal investigator for this multi-PI study, which involves three other School of Medicine faculty. They are conducting a three-year study on the effects of vaping during pregnancy. (WVU Photo)

Can you smoke while pregnant?

It is estimated that half of all women who smoke prior to becoming pregnant will continue to smoke during and after the pregnancy. The impact of smoking while pregnant can lead to preterm birth, birth defects and an increased chance of sudden infant death syndrome. Because of this, a growing number of women who choose to smoke while pregnant are being encouraged to switch to vaping.

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.

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:

Why is nicotine addictive?

The same holds true for regular cigarettes. Nicotine is known to raise rate of respiration, blood pressure, and heart rate. It is also known for stimulating the user’s central nervous system. Upon reaching the brain, dopamine levels start increasing, and a feeling of pleasure is released. Nicotine is said to be an ingredient that gets the brain primed to become addicted to other substances. Different manufacturers of e-liquids will use different degrees of nicotine while making their products. Some do not use it at all, while others do.

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 are the flavors of e-cigarettes?

The number of flavors available in e-cigarettes is astounding! Over 7,000 flavors have been created, such as coconut, berry blast, cherry, sweet tarts, fresh apple, menthol, and cinnamon. There is a great number of ingredients that are used to create these flavors. One special mention of an ingredient is diacetyl. This ingredient is also known for creating the buttery flavor that is found in some popcorns. Although it is commonly consumed, it is said that it is very dangerous when inhaled. Obliterative bronchiolitis (OB) is a disease that cannot be cured, and it is believed that diacetyl can trigger it.

How to socialize with someone who smokes?

If you want to socialize with someone who smokes, and you know they do it inside their home or car, avoid going inside either one. Instead, suggest meeting outdoors.

Is vaping dangerous for pregnant women?

Dangers to the Baby. The effects of vaping while pregnant do not just stop at you – they extend to your little one as well. 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.

Is it safe to vape while pregnant?

In short, no. The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists does not consider e-cigs to be safe substitutes for cigarettes and says they should not be used during pregnancy. The Centers for Disease Control has also issued a warning that pregnant women should not vape.

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.

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.

What are the chemicals in a flavoring?

The flavorings often contain toxic chemicals such as benzaldehyde, cinnamaldehyde, and diacetyl. Some liquids or vapor can be contaminated with stuff you shouldn't be inhaling, like silica and such heavy metals as nickel, tin, and lead.

How do cannabinoids work?

How Cannabinoids Act Upon the Brain: Cannabinoids mainly act upon two prominent G protein-coupled receptors: CB1 and CB2. CB1 receptors are present in high levels in the brain and gonads (testes and ovaries) whereas CB2 receptors are more sparse and are found in immune cells and some neuronal cells (5).

How long does marijuana stay in the body?

THC, the main psychoactive component of marijuana, has a half life of 8 days in fat and is detectable for up to 30 days in the bloodstream. Once circulating in the bloodstream, THC is readily able to cross the blood brain barrier and the placenta due to its lipophilic nature. In a primate study, THC was detectable in fetal blood just 15 minutes after intravenous infusion in the mother. Three hours following infusion, fetal blood levels of THC equilibrated to maternal blood levels (2). A separate study in canines found that THC was deposited in fetal fat at concentrations that are approximately 30% of maternal plasma levels (3). Given the pharmacokinetic properties of THC, maternal tissues act as a reservoir for THC and other cannabinoids which results in prolonged fetal exposure. Taken one step further, when marijuana is used occasionally during pregnancy, say once per month, fetal exposure to marijuana persists throughout the fetus’ entire development in the womb.

How do cannabinoids affect embryos?

How Cannabinoids Affect Embryo Development: 1 Folic Acid Uptake: As stated above, THC interferes with fetal folic acid uptake. Low levels of folic acid during pregnancy are known to be associated with neural tube defects and low birth weight. 2 Cellular Growth: Exogenous cannabinoids may interfere with critical pathways for cellular growth and angiogenesis (formation of new blood vessels). 3 Neural Development: Cannabinoids acting upon the CB1 receptor have the ability to influence the differentiation of neural cells from stem cells in the brain. This has tremendous potential to negatively affect learning and memory as well as developmental processes such as limb development.

What is the role of endocannabinoids in the brain?

Endogenous cannabinoids produced by the human body interact with these receptors and current data indicate that the endocannabinoid system plays a role in the regulation of sleep, feeding, pain, learning, and memory. It is thought that the psychoactive effects of THC are a result of binding (partial agonist) to CB1 receptors in the brain.

How long does it take for THC to be detected in the blood?

In a primate study, THC was detectable in fetal blood just 15 minutes after intravenous infusion in the mother. Three hours following infusion, fetal blood levels of THC equilibrated to maternal blood levels (2).

Where does THC enter the brain?

THC crosses the placenta, enters fetal blood circulation, passes through the blood brain barrier, and is found at the highest levels in fetal fat tissue. The brain is 60% fat and therefore stores THC following maternal ingestion. The brain is also densely populated with CB1 receptors which mediate THC’s psychoactive properties.

How long does THC stay in your system?

THC, the main psychoactive component of marijuana, has a half life of 8 days in fat and is detectable for up to 30 days in the bloodstream. Once circulating in the bloodstream, THC is readily able to cross the blood brain barrier and the placenta due to its lipophilic nature.

Can pregnant women smoke e-cigarettes?

When asked if pregnant women can smoke e-cigarettes, doctors give a negative answer. Experts believe that vaping is as addictive as cigarettes. Therefore in order to prevent illness among the mother and the baby, it is the option to give up on vaping.

Can you smoke a cigarette while pregnant?

Having considered the composition, it is safe to say that the electronic cigarette during pregnancy will not bring any benefit. But since they choose the lesser of two evils, some people, nevertheless, listen to manufacturers, who assure that tobacco products and electronic cigarettes are two completely different concepts.

Is vaping safe during pregnancy?

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.

Is it safe to smoke e-cigarettes while pregnant?

E-cigarette liquids also contain chemicals, flavors and other additives that might not be safe for your baby. It's well known that smoking cigarettes during pregnancy can harm women and their babies.

Can a baby smoke e-cigarettes?

While use of e-cigarettes might expose a growing baby to fewer toxins compared with those from regular cigarette use, nicotine exposure of any kind is harmful to a baby. If you're pregnant and you smoke or vape, quitting is the best way to give your baby a healthy start.

Can pregnant women smoke e-cigarettes?

Pregnant women often don 't know if their e-cigarettes contain nicotine. Some also might use e-cigarettes during pregnancy because of the perception that the devices can help them quit or reduce cigarette smoking.

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