Waikato Smoking Cessation Services   Resources

Quit Smoking Resources

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Nicotine patches, gum and lozenges can double someone's chances of successfully quitting. The team can also give advice on other stop smoking medication options. We can provide these directly to you.

What happens if you smoke during pregnancy?

Quitting smoking in pregnancy is the very best thing you can do for your own and your baby’s health. If you smoke when pregnant, the poisonous substances you breathe in from cigarettes get into your bloodstream and from there into the baby’s bloodstream.

You and your baby deserve the best chance of good health and you are responsible for the health of your baby. So you need to think seriously about the effects smoking, alcohol or other drugs can have on you and your unborn baby.


What happens if you smoke while you're pregnant?
As the old saying goes, when you're pregnant you're eating, sleeping and breathing for two. A lot of the things you do can have a direct impact on the baby and smoking is no exception. What happens if you smoke during pregnancy?

Quitting smoking in pregnancy is the very best thing you can do for your own and your baby’s health. If you smoke when pregnant, the poisonous substances you breathe in from cigarettes get into your bloodstream and from there into the baby’s bloodstream.

You and your baby deserve the best chance of good health and you are responsible for the health of your baby. So you need to think seriously about the effects smoking, alcohol or other drugs can have on you and your unborn baby.

Quitting will benefit both you and your baby immediately. Harmful gases like carbon monoxide and other damaging chemicals will clear from your body. When you quit smoking:




You will have less morning sickness and fewer complications in pregnancy.
You are more likely to have a healthier pregnancy and a healthier baby.
You will reduce the risk of stillbirth.
You will cope better with the birth.
Your baby is less likely to be born too early and have to face the additional breathing,
feeding and health problems that often go with being premature.
You will reduce the risk of cot death, also called sudden infant death
Stopping smoking will also benefit your baby later in life. Children whose parents smoke are
more likely to suffer from asthma and other more serious illnesses that may need hospital treatment.
When you quit you will have more money for the expense of a new baby. Bringing baby home
to a smoke free homeis the best start you can give to your baby.
Your breast milk will be a better quality and better supply for feeding your baby. Remember if you are
smoking, the nicotine will be present in the breast milk and pass on to the baby.