Smoking in pregnancy

Cigarettes contain over 4,000 chemicals, which have a harmful effect on your unborn baby. Not smoking is the best way to protect your baby and give them the best start in life.

Smoking restricts the oxygen you give to your unborn baby causing their hearts to work harder with each cigarette you smoke. Not smoking lessens the risk of your baby being born with breathing complications and you are more likely to have a healthier baby.

See more information about smoking in pregnancy on the Humber and North Yorkshire Maternity website.

Support to stop smoking is available via:

• CYC Yorwellbeing - the City of York Health Trainers can support you to live a healthier lifestyle, including free health checks and stop smoking support
• Bump the habit supports pregnant women to stop smoking

The risk of SIDS (Sudden Infant Death Syndrome) is greatly increased if you or your partner Smokes while you’re pregnant or after your baby is born. The Lullaby Trust has more information about the risk of smoking and how to keep your baby smoke free.