Avoid smoking and alcohol throughout pregnancy, and keep indoor air smoke-free
Smoking during pregnancy increases the risks of preterm birth, low birth weight, and cleft lip or palate. It doubles the risk of abnormal bleeding during pregnancy and delivery and raises the risk of sudden infant death. Other people's indoor smoke matters too. Stopping at any stage still helps.
What it takes
Nothing; avoiding tobacco and alcohol saves money. Getting household members to change their habits may take persistence.
What you may gain
The US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention states that smoking during pregnancy can make babies too small even at term and can cause preterm birth. It doubles the risk of abnormal bleeding during pregnancy and delivery, increases the risk of defects including cleft lip and palate, and can damage developing lungs and brain with effects lasting into childhood. Babies whose mothers smoke during pregnancy and babies exposed to smoke after birth have higher sudden infant death syndrome risk. Quitting before pregnancy is best, but quitting during pregnancy remains beneficial, and it is never too late to stop.
Context & considerations
Secondhand smoke also exposes the pregnant person and fetus, so household members should not smoke indoors. No amount of alcohol is known to be safe during pregnancy; avoiding it is the straightforward choice. For the effects of tobacco and alcohol on adults themselves, see chapter 2.
Research & references
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Smoking During Pregnancy. https://www.cdc.gov/tobacco/campaign/tips/diseases/pregnancy.html