Smoking causes cancer, heart disease, and other major health problems.
Women who smoke may find it harder to get pregnant, and women who smoke during pregnancy are more likely to have a miscarriage, premature birth, low birth weight, infant death and other birth defects.
AMANDA TELLS HER STORY – TIPS FROM FORMER SMOKERS CAMPAIGN.
While in college, newly engaged—and still smoking a pack a day—Amanda learned she was pregnant. She tried to quit, but juggling work and classes was stressful. She thought cigarettes helped deal with stress. She soon learned that smoking only made things worse. Her baby was born 2 months early, which is a danger for all pregnant women who smoke. The tiny baby girl spent weeks in a hospital incubator. "I knew that smoking was bad... I didn't think I would have a premature baby," said Amanda. "I couldn't hold her much in those first weeks. It's time I'll never get back. Smoking took that from me."
Click here for more information about Amanda and other former smokers in the new campaign and watch her video below.
SMOKING WHILE PREGNANT IS SIMPLY BAD FOR THE MOTHER AND THE BABY.
Tobacco smoke contains known cancer-causing chemicals, which are absorbed into the placenta —the source of the baby's food and oxygen during pregnancy.
Smoking while pregnant is simply bad for the mother and the baby; it increases the likelihood the baby will be born sick and/or needing a longer stay in the hospital. Smoking can cause an abnormal pregnancy, such as the embryo attaching to the Fallopian tube or outside the womb. This condition almost always causes the fetus to die and poses a serious risk to the mother’s health. Also, smoking after the baby is born increases the risk of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS).
Indiana is one of only seven states that covers all seven FDA-approved tobacco cessation medications and individual and group cessation counseling for all Medicaid enrollees. The Quit Now Indiana cessation services include 1.800.QUIT.NOW, these programs are free to anyone interested in quitting, with expanded services for women who are pregnant.
LIV: A PREGNANCY APP
The Indiana State Department of Health (ISDH) has launched a new mobile application aimed at improving infant and maternal health in Indiana. It features information designed to help women improve their health, whether they are planning to become pregnant, are already pregnant or are parents.
The app promotes early prenatal care and education about pregnancy. It includes information about nutrition, an interactive calendar, a journal feature and more than 100 articles, checklists and how-to’s based on best medical practices. It also includes links to other resources, including contacts for doctors, hospitals, food banks, Women, Infants and Children (WIC) clinics and birthing centers.
IT’S NEVER TOO LATE TO QUIT
You must be committed to live tobacco-free. Start now. Join the Expanded Pregnancy Program.
Congratulations on making the decision to quit.