Pregnant & smoking?

Have a new baby?

(It’s okay to ask for help.)1. Set a quit date and fi nd support

• Family, friends and healthcare providers

• QuitNow: ▪ Click online at www.QuitNow.ca ▪ call Quitnow by Phone:

1-877-455-2233 or ▪ Txt JOIN on your cell phone to

654321.

2. Finding the cravings too hard to

handle?

• See your doctor or pharmacist about medications that may help.

3. Be aware of your triggers and avoid

them:

• Find other healthy ways to

reduce stress: walk, spend time with non-smokers, get support

• Use the 4 Ds: ▪ Delay, ▪ Deep breathe, ▪ Drink water, ▪ Do something else.

4. Make your home and vehicle

smoke free

• Your baby needs your help to stay away from tobacco smoke

Make Your Home & CarSmoke-Free!

Healthy ideasfor you and your baby.

Keeping babies smoke-freeis everyone’s responsibility

Stopping smoking is one of the best things you can do for yourself and your babyFor more Information

Medications and Mothers’ Milk

Tom Hale, PhD. 14th Edition 2010.

Visit these websites:

www.quitnow.ca

www.pregnets.org

www.motherisk.org

www.acopg.org (search smoking)

www.gosmokefree.ca

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What are the effects of smoking while I am

pregnant?Tobacco use in

pregnancy is harmful to both you and your baby. It limits the oxygen and food that reach your baby through the placenta. Smoking can also lead to:

• Increased miscarriage or pre-term delivery

• Increased risk of ectopic pregnancy (pregnancy outside the uterus)

• Increased risk of low birth-weight baby

• Increased risk of birth defects

Babies exposed to second hand smoke are more likely to have:• Severe asthma and allergy attacks

needing hospitalization.

• SIDS – Sudden Infant Death syndrome

• Ear and chest infections

• Learning and behaviour diffi culties in later years

Can I still breastfeed if I smoke?Yes, breastfeeding still provides many benefi ts to you and your baby even if you are unable to quit smoking at this time.

Nicotine can pass through breast milk, so breastfeed fi rst before smoking or using nicotine gum, lozenge or inhaler.

Heavy smoking can reduce a mother’s milk supply – cutting down may help.

Reducing the risks: for you and your baby• The ideal: stop smoking

• Reduce the amount you smoke until you stop altogether

• Smoke outside, away from your baby

• Don’t let anyone else smoke around your baby

• Don’t smoke before or during breastfeeding

• Wear a “smoke-free” shirt after smoking to reduce the transfer

of tobacco toxins to your baby

It’s never too late to quit smoking. Benefi ts to you and the baby start immediately,

and increase the longer you are smoke free!

Interested in quitting? Help is available!

Quitnow Services are clinically proven smoking cessation

programs, available FREE to all British Columbians.

QuitNow.ca is an interactive, internet-based program, and QuitNow by

Phone – 1-877-455-2233 is staffed by registered care coaches available to assist people in over 130 languages. Try their new program: Txt JOIN on your cell phone to 654321

Did you quit during pregnancy?Stay with it!

It may be tempting to start smoking again after your baby is born. You may feel you deserve a cigarette when there’s no longer a risk to the baby. In fact, you deserve

much more – the health and energy of a smoke-free life!

You’ve made it this far and your body has started to heal. Get the help you need to stay smoke free. Talk to your doctor or other healthcare provider, or click or call QuitNow Services.