Smoking

Nicotine is very addictive. Many people find it very hard to stop smoking, yet for a smoker this is the single most important step that they can take to improve their own health as well as their future babies. Women who smoke run a higher risk of low birth weight, miscarriage, stillbirth, increased vaginal bleeding during pregnancy and an increased chance of cot death (SIDS*).

(*Sudden Infant Death Syndrome – the death of a newborn infant for no apparent reason).

In addition smoking may decrease a man’s sperm count and make conception more difficult. Smoking should be avoided while you are trying to conceive. Secondary smoke from the people around you may also affect your health and the health of your unborn baby.