Quitting Smoking is Good for You and Your Baby
Blues Perspectives
| 3 min read
Taking good care of yourself before, during and after pregnancy is one of the greatest gifts you can give your baby — and yourself. Replacing smoking or vaping with healthy habits can be hard but with these tips, you can be successful.
Healthy choices will benefit you and your baby
Whether you’re in your first trimester or your third, it’s not too late to quit smoking and develop healthy habits for you and your baby. Eating well, exercising and drinking plenty of water are all habits that are good for you before, during and after pregnancy. And, like quitting smoking, they’re good for your unborn baby, too. Other healthy habits include:
- Getting enough rest
- Flossing and brushing your teeth daily (learn about your dental benefits during pregnancy here)
- Eating healthy snacks
- Avoiding drinking alcohol and sugary drinks
- Taking time to de-stress
Plan to quit smoking or vaping for good
A lot of women quit smoking while they’re pregnant or trying to have a baby but plan to smoke again after their baby is born. Smoking after your baby is born can expose them to harmful effects of secondhand smoke. Quitting smoking for good gives you and your child important health benefits and a brighter future.
Quit for your baby. Quit for yourself.
Quitting smoking now can help you avoid having a low birth weight baby and ensure your baby has the best possible start in life. Quitting smoking can also help improve your health.
Quitting smoking improves your:
- Heart rate
- Blood circulation
- Lung function
Quitting smoking decreases your risk of:
- Heart attack
- Stroke
Quitting tips
Try these simple tips to help you quit smoking:
- Write notes of encouragement to yourself and place them where you can see them every day.
- Remind yourself of your reasons for quitting.
- Focus on not smoking today. Don’t worry about tomorrow.
- Create smoke-free zones in your home and vehicle.
Help is here; all you have to do is ask
- Tell your family and friends why you’re quitting and ask them to support you in your efforts.
- Designate a friend to call when you feel tempted to smoke.
- Take advantage of our no-cost Tobacco Quit Program.
Blue Cross Complete’s Tobacco Quit Program offers special resources for pregnant women. You’ll receive nine counseling calls, one female quit coach and gift card rewards for keeping appointments. All Michigan Tobacco Quitline counseling is confidential and has no cost for Blue Cross Complete members. Call the Quitline 24 hours a day, seven days a week at 1-800-QUIT-NOW (784-8669). More from MIBluesPerspectives:
- How to Get Help to Quit Smoking During Pregnancy
- The Dangers of Vaping During Pregnancy
- Pregnant in a Pandemic
Photo credit: Miramiska
