Smoking Around a Pregnant Woman Is Dangerous for Baby, Experts Warn

It’s probably already engraved in your memory, but smoking while pregnant is really dangerous for baby. But what about the smoking habits of those around you? Secondhand smoke can be just as harmful for baby, according to a new study.

“[Partners] are a large source of secondhand smoke for pregnant women, which appears to be even more harmful to unborn children than women smoking themselves,” says study author Jiabi Qin, MD.

While previous studies have focussed on the dangers of expectant females smoking, this marks the first analysis to look at the relationship between “passive” smoking and the risk of congenital heart defects in offspring.

Researchers compiled available evidence up to June 2018, spanning a total of 125 studies involving 137,574 babies with congenital heart defects and 8.8 million prospective parents. All types of parental smoking were associated with the risk of congenital heart defects, with an increase of 74 percent for men smoking, 124 percent for passive smoking in women and 25 percent for women smoking, compared to no exposure to smoking.

As was expected, women who smoked during pregnancy were likely to give birth to a baby with a congenital heart defect. But researchers also found women’s exposure to secondhand smoke posed a threat for their baby-to-be during all stages of pregnancy, and even prior to becoming pregnant.

To sum it up, secondhand smoke is harmful for baby. If you and your partner are expecting and one of you is a smoker, now is a good time to discuss some ways to kick the habit to the curb. It won’t be easy, but remember it’s all for your baby’s safety.

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