birth defects month

Indiana's smoking during pregnancy rate has declined significantly from 18.5% in 2007 to 11.5% in 2018. However, there were over 9,300 babes born in Indiana to mothers who smoked during pregnancy in 2018 alone, so it is clearly still an important discussion to have in our state!

Smoking impacts even the youngest Hoosiers, and smoking during pregnancy harms the health of both the mother and the baby. And we don't say this to instill guilt, but to see this as an opportunity to share solutions and resources with expecting mothers. Tobacco use is the leading preventable cause of death in Indiana, but it is also a huge contributor to birth defects when someone chooses to smoke during pregnancy. Smoking during pregnancy can increase the risk of:
   
     ▪ low birth weight
     ▪ premature birth
     ▪ ectopic pregnancy
     ▪ miscarriage
     ▪ problems with the placenta
     ▪ Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS)

Even exposure to secondhand smoke is harmful to both mothers and their babes. babes whose mothers are exposed to secondhand smoke while pregnant are also more likely to have lower birth weight, and exposure to secondhand smoke in infancy increases the risk of SIDS. 

With all of that being said, it is never too late to quit smoking. Whether you are planning to get pregnant, currently pregnant, or a new mother, you can always make the choice to quit entirely to increase the health of both yourself and your baby. And making the choice to stay smoke free will reduce your own risk of diseases such as heart and lung disease, stroke, and cancer. If you want to create a Quitplan today, go to www.quitnowindiana.com or call 1-800-QUITNOW. 

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