PregnancyNewbornInfantToddlerPreschoolerSchool AgeHealth & Medical
October 07, 2008 SEARCH drSpock 
Ask Our ExpertsMessage BoardsToolsConsumer AlertsTelevisionBooksA-Z Topics
DrSpock.com

Ask Our Experts



Dr. Marjorie Greenfield
Specializing in pregnancy and birth.
* See full bio
* See all questions answered by Dr. Greenfield




Ask Dr. Greenfield

Quitting Smoking Cold Turkey when Pregnant
QUESTION
Dear Dr. Greenfield,
I have heard that quitting smoking cold turkey when pregnant is more harmful than gradually quitting due to stress on the baby and mother? Is this true?

— Wondering Mom in Alberta, Canada

ANSWER
May 25, 2001
Dear Wondering Mom,
While it may be very difficult to quit smoking cold turkey, any way of quitting is good in pregnancy--whatever works for you. Many people do better to just quit, so that they don't have cigarettes easily accessible when they get the urge. It is often easiest to quit early in the pregnancy, especially if nausea interferes with the taste for a cigarette. But even quitting later during pregnancy still has health benefits for the baby.

For more information about the fetal health risks related to smoking, see our article Alcohol and Drugs During Pregnancy. For information about the effects after the child is born, see Secondhand Smoke and Children's Health.

— by Marjorie Greenfield, M.D.

OUR ADVERTISERS



OUR ADVERTISERS

About Us | Contact Us | Our Partners
Privacy Policy | Ethics | Advertising Policy | Terms of Service

© Copyright 2004 The Dr. Spock Company. All Rights Reserved.

THIS SITE DOES NOT PROVIDE MEDICAL ADVICE. The information drSpock.com provides is for educational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice. Always seek the advice of your health care professional if you have a specific health concern. Mention or advertisement of any product, service, or brand does not constitute endorsement, guarantee, or recommendation by The Dr. Spock Company. Please read our full Terms of Service.