Electronic Cigarettes and Expecting Mothers

Expecting mothers will do anything and do without anything when it comes to the well-being of their unborn child. And that includes smoking cigarettes. But that also means giving up a habit that she may have been practicing for some time and it could be hard on her nerves, which can affect the unborn baby.

Electronic cigarettes have become the way to quit the past few years, but there are still plenty of unanswered questions about the effectiveness and safety of them. Especially for an expectant mom – how safe, or unsafe, is vaping while pregnant? Or being around second-hand vapor?

What are electronic cigarettes?

Electronic cigarettes come in a variety of shapes and sizes. And they are referred to as e-cigs, vape pens, or mods. These devices deliver liquid nicotine by way of a vapor that is create when a battery powers that liquid. That liquid comes in different flavors and different levels of nicotine.

Are E-Cigarettes safer than traditional cigarettes?

Well, the experts are still not 100% in agreement with this statement as the studies are still going and probably will be for years to come.  But you’d be hard-pressed to find a medical professional that is willingly to tell any expecting mom to go ahead and vape.

What is known?

What we do know is that traditional cigarettes have over 7,000 chemicals in them, many of which are cancer-causing and toxic. On the other hand, electronic cigarettes do not have all those chemicals, but they do have some, such as the glycerin, propylene glycol, and nicotine as well as the chemicals that create the flavoring. We also know that the voltage of the electronic cigarettes that creates a vapor that is laden with chemicals, some that have been linked to cancer, like formaldehyde.

We also know that the labels listing the ingredients of electronic cigarettes is not 100% accurate or thorough. Meaning that what they list on the label isn’t all you’re getting with your electronic cigarette. One of the few things in life that you may be getting more than you bargain for in other words. Such as chemicals other than nicotine that can be harmful have been detected in the cartridges, the liquid refills, and the aerosols of electronic cigarettes.

The danger for pregnant women

Experts and groups have told us for years that smoking while pregnant can harm the unborn child as well as the mother during pregnancy and after birth when it comes to the traditional cigarettes. They are warning mothers the same caution with electronic cigarettes too because of the possible substances in them and created by them could be harmful.

Because the electronic cigarettes contain nicotine, even though lower dosages, just like traditional cigarettes, experts are warning mothers-to-be that any of the following could happen during pregnancy and while giving birth:

• Ectopic pregnancy
• Miscarriage
• Placental Abruption
• Preterm delivery
• Stillbirth

Baby born with low birth weight that requires lengthy hospitalization

SIDS (sudden infant death syndrome)

After the baby is born, they become at risk for the following if the mother smoked while pregnant:

• Asthma
• Colic
• Developmental issues (ADHD)

Currently, secondhand vapor effects aren’t fully known as it is for secondhand smoke for traditional cigarettes.  And unless a mother-to-be is going to stay in her own home 24/7 until the baby is born, exposure to e-cig vapor or traditional smoke is unavoidable. No need to be fretful and panic, but make every effort to avoid those situations in public places and at work.