New Findings on Smoking
While Pregnant: QUIT EARLY

Researchers have known for some time that stopping smoking during pregnancy increases birth weight and decreases the risk for preterm birth. But it has been unclear at what point in her pregnancy a woman must stop smoking in order to reap these health benefits for her baby.

New Findings on When to Quit

A recent study published in the journal BMJ found that women decreased—or even eliminated—some negative effects of smoking when they quit within the first 15 weeks of pregnancy. Women who continued smoking after 15 weeks had more complications.

The study compared more than 2,500 women. Compared with nonsmokers and those who had stopped smoking within 15 weeks, women who continued to smoke beyond the first 15 weeks of pregnancy had significantly higher rates of spontaneous preterm birth. This refers to birth that occurs less than 37 weeks in to a pregnancy. Similarly, 17 percent of the women who continued to smoke gave birth to very small infants. The rate for nonsmokers and those who had stopped smoking was about 10 percent.

Expert Advice on Healthy Pregnancy

Experts recommend that women meet with a maternity care provider within the first 10 weeks of pregnancy to receive lifestyle advice, including information on quitting smoking.

FREE Quit-Smoking Help!

If you’re pregnant or planning to become pregnant, the sooner you quit smoking, the healthier you and your baby will be. Through Paramount’s FREE quit-smoking program, you can talk with a trained Quit-Smoking Specialist and get a Quit Kit. If you’re in Ohio, call 1-800-QUIT-NOW (1-800-784-8669). If you’re in Michigan, call 1-800-884-7118.