is vaping harmful to unborn baby

by Erik Padberg Published 2 years ago Updated 1 year ago

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 while pregnant bad for You?

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.

Is it safe to vape around your kids and babies?

The bottom line: No amount of vaping around your babies and children is considered safe. So it's important to take the proper precautions to avoid exposure to secondhand vaping and get the help or your partner need to quit. From the What to Expect editorial team and Heidi Murkoff, author of What to Expect When You're Expecting.

Is e-cigarette vapour safe during pregnancy?

E-cigarette vapour is not harmless water vapour it contains harmful chemicals including nicotine. The US Government Centre for Disease Control and Prevention states that nicotine is a well known health danger for expectant mothers and their babies. It can damage the baby’s brain and is a risk to both the mother’s lungs and the babies lungs 1.

Is smoking while pregnant bad for Your Baby?

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.

Is vaping bad for pregnancy?

Is vaping bad for babies?

Does nicotine affect the brain?

Does nicotine affect motor maturity?

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How does vaping affect a fetus?

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.

Does 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 vaping worse 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).

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

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. It's best to quit smoking before you get pregnant.

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.

Can vaping cause stillbirth?

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.

How long does nicotine stay in a fetus 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.

How long after quitting vaping does fertility improve?

It takes about three months to produce both sperm and eggs, so that's how long it will take after quitting smoking before fertility fully improves, for both you and your partner.

Is vaping worse than 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.

Does vaping affect egg quality?

Women who vape are likely to experience reduced fertility function. This can result in delayed egg production and fertilization. The toxic chemicals in vape liquids can be just as harmful as those found in cigarettes.

Do they test newborns for nicotine?

Can you vape while pregnant with no nicotine? - Quora

Answer: Best way to answer this for you is for me to copy and paste a study from the medical community: A 2018 study in Obstetrical & Gynecological Survey showed that nicotine consumption among vape users is similar to that of smokers. But even vaping products that don’t contain nicotine can har...

Vaping while pregnant? - Young Moms | Forums | What to Expect

They are producing new evidence that vaping causes Popcorn lungs. I would treat it just like a cigarette. If you think about it logically, back in the 60's and 70's they smoked well pregnant, and its before there was "evidence" that it caused defects in unborn children.

Vaping during pregnancy: Is it safe? - Mayo Clinic

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Why do e-cigarettes vaporize nicotine?

E-cigarettes vaporize nicotine to provide a smoker's hit without the risk of tar and other cancerous chemicals.

Is vaping harmful to children?

Recent tests suggest that vaping damages the child's nervous system, making it just as harmful as smoking tobacco.

Is vaping harmful to pregnant women?

Recent tests have suggested vaping is just as harmful as smoking tobacco for pregnant women. (Mario Anzuoni/Reuters) "There are potential dangers revealed by these studies indicating a possible impact to the unborn child that may be seen at birth but may occur later in the life of the child.

Can pregnant women smoke e-cigarettes?

End of dialog window. Pregnant women who smoke e-cigarettes may be harming their unborn babies, research has revealed. Pregnant women who smoke e-cigarettes may be harming their unborn babies, research has revealed. Recent tests suggest that vaping damages the child's nervous system, making it just as harmful as smoking tobacco.

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.

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?

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 vaping?

Vaping is the act of using an e-cigarette — specifically, the inhaling of vapor from e-cigarettes such as JUULs, cig-a-likes, vape pens, personalized vaporizers and mechanical mods. The point of vaping is to deliver nicotine, a particularly addictive drug, to the body.

How old do you have to be to buy a vape?

They were first regulated by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in May 2016, some 10 years after they first hit the market. Now, you must be over 21 to buy vaping products, and manufacturers have to apply for permission from the FDA to sell their product and list in detail every ingredient they use plus exactly how it's made.

What is the minimum age to buy a cigarette?

In December 2019, the minimum age to buy tobacco products, including cigarettes and e-cigarettes, was raised to 21 — a good thing, since the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) warns that any exposure to nicotone, including secondhand exposure from e-cigarettes, may be dangerous for children.

What is the point of vaping?

The point of vaping is to deliver nicotine, a particularly addictive drug, to the body. Vaping devices can resemble traditional tobacco cigarettes, but many look more like pens or, in the case of JUULs, USB drives.

What happens if you smoke a second hand?

Babies exposed to secondhand smoke are more likely to die of sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS), and kids exposed to secondhand smoke are more likely to be sick more often with ear infections, colds, bronchitis, pneumonia, asthma and breathing problems.

How many times more likely are children to be admitted to the hospital from e-cigarettes?

In addition, children exposed to e-cigarettes were more than 5 times more likely to be admitted to the hospital and more than twice as likely to have a severe health outcome than kids exposed to regular cigarettes.

Is vaping harmful?

There are dangers to vaping or JUULing. For starters, vaping devices don 't emit harmless water vapor — instead, they release aerosol that contains toxic chemicals, some of which have been linked to cancer, heart disease and respiratory disease.

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.

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.

How many chemicals are in a cigarette?

Here's what is known: Tobacco smoke from conventional cigarettes contains a mix of more than 7,000 chemicals, of which many are toxic or cancer-causing. E-cigarettes, on the other hand, emit fewer toxins and chemicals.

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.

How does vaping work?

The devices work by heating the liquid, which turns it into vapor. The user then inhales the vapor, a process known as vaping. It is important to understand that electronic cigarettes are basically devices that deliver nicotine into the system. It might be true that e-cigarettes are safer than traditional cigarettes, but that does not mean that they are good for you.

Why are e-cigarettes so addictive?

The main ingredient that makes e-cigarettes so addictive is nicotine. Nicotine is dangerous for pregnant women. It can increase the rate of respiration, heart rate, and blood pressure. It helps to know that the cartridge may contain more nicotine than what is listed on the label. Vaping while pregnant can affect the baby’s developing brain and lungs.

Can pregnant women smoke e-cigarettes?

Some women who have found it difficult to quit smoking continue the habit even while pregnant. There are also women who try to look for alternatives to cigarettes in order to get their nicotine fix. Unfortunately, many women have turned to vaping, in the mistaken belief that it is a safe alternative. The truth is that e-cigarettes are not safe for pregnant women in spite of what the manufacturers claim. Here's what pregnant women need to know about their harmful ingredients.

Is it safe to use e-cigarettes?

Traditional cigarettes contain many harmful chemicals that are responsible for different health issues, including cancer. By replacing traditional cigarettes with e-cigarettes, you may be reducing the toxins that you inhale but you are not much safer. E-cigarettes contain nicotine and other harmful chemicals. Unfortunately, e-cigarettes are not regulated by the FDA and the level of nicotine present in devices is not reported. This means that users are not aware of the amount of nicotine they take in, making them a threat to health.

Is glycerine safe for children?

This may be one of the safer ingredients but it is important to remember that the e-liquids are not tested for purity and quality. In some cases, the e-liquid may be contaminated with harmful substances that can affect the unborn child. They include heavy metals such as lead, tin, and nickel.

Can you quit smoking while pregnant?

It may be difficult to quit smoking due to the addictive quality of nicotine. However, now that you are pregnant, the need to quit is quite urgent. There are some resources that can help you to quit. They include nicotine replacement therapy (NRT), prescription medication, complementary and alternative therapy (CAM) such as acupuncture or hypnosis. If you have the willpower, quitting cold turkey is a good option.

Is vaping safe while pregnant?

Vaping during pregnancy can cause harm to you and your unborn baby. You may not enjoy hearing this especially if you find it difficult to quit smoking. Initially, e-cigarettes were marketed as an effective way to help people quit smoking. If you are pregnant, vaping is not much safer for you. Vaping supplies nicotine and other toxic chemicals to the body. The unborn child is exposed to harmful toxins that pass from the mother via the placenta.

Is vaping bad for pregnancy?

VAPING during pregnancy could put unborn babies at risk, researchers warn. E-cigarettes are considered a safer alternative to smoking but they can contain nicotine which is known to stunt babies' development. And tests by experts at Durham University show the effects are as bad after vaping as after smoking conventional cigarettes.

Is vaping bad for babies?

Researchers have warned pregnant women that vaping puts unborn babies at risk Credit: Getty Images - Getty. And tests by experts at Durham University show the effects are as bad after vaping as after smoking conventional cigarettes. Vapers’ babies were unable to grasp a finger in their hand and were not startled by having head support removed.

Does nicotine affect the brain?

Lead author Suzanne Froggatt said: "Nicotine can cause widespread negative effects on the central nervous system, subsequently affecting brain development, with animal studies indicating the devastating effects within the brain. "Although e-cigarettes might expose the mother to fewer toxins than cigarettes, given the uncontrolled amount ...

Does nicotine affect motor maturity?

The study also found that higher amounts of nicotine correlated with reduced motor maturity in babies, such as how floppy or rigid a baby is when held.