Is vaping safe during pregnancy?

Quitting nicotine is the best way to keep your baby healthy. Jennifer Luli, advanced practice provider, shares how to quit at any stage of pregnancy.

If you’re pregnant, you may be wondering whether vaping is a safer alternative to smoking. After all, many vaping products are marketed as a better option than traditional cigarettes.

But here’s the truth: It’s not considered safe to vape during pregnancy.

“There’s no safe level of nicotine exposure during pregnancy,” said Jennifer Luli, APRN-CNP, an advanced practice provider in maternal-fetal medicine at Akron Children’s. “While e-cigarettes may expose a growing baby to fewer toxins than traditional cigarettes, nicotine exposure of any kind can be harmful and affect baby’s development.”

Vape pens also can contain other harmful ingredients like heavy metals, flavorings and toxic chemicals that can negatively affect your growing baby. Researchers are still uncovering the full range of risks.

If you’re pregnant, quitting smoking and vaping is the best way to give your baby a healthy start.

Why is vaping during pregnancy a concern?

Vaping involves inhaling an aerosol, or vapor, created by an electronic cigarette (e-cigarette), vape pen or other vaping device.

“Because vaping doesn’t produce tobacco smoke, some people assume it’s harmless,” Jennifer said. “But the aerosol you inhale isn’t just water vapor. It can contain nicotine, heavy metals and other toxins that can affect your health and your baby’s development.”

Nicotine

Nicotine is one of the biggest concerns when it comes to vaping during pregnancy.

Nicotine easily crosses the placenta, meaning it can reach your developing baby. Nicotine can reduce oxygen and blood flow to your baby’s important organs, including the brain and lungs, and affect growth and development.

Nicotine exposure during pregnancy can increase the risk of:

• Low birth weight.

• Early birth.

• Problems with lung development.

• Changes in brain development.

• Behavioral and learning problems later in life.

Heavy metals

Even vaping products labeled “nicotine-free” may not be completely risk-free. Some have been found to contain small amounts of nicotine or other harmful ingredients.

In addition to nicotine, vaping liquids may contain heavy metals like lead, nickel and tin, and harmful chemicals like benzene (found in car exhaust) and formaldehyde (toxin linked to cancer).

These substances found in e-cigarettes can cross the placenta and expose your developing baby to toxins that may interfere with growth and brain development.

Flavorings

Flavorings may make vaping more appealing, but they don’t make it safer during pregnancy.

When heated, some flavorings can break down into highly toxic chemicals that may affect your baby’s growth and development.

“Researchers are still studying how these chemicals affect pregnancy, but some ingredients have been linked to changes in brain and lung development,” Jennifer shared.

THC found in marijuana

Some vaping products may also contain THC, the psychoactive ingredient in marijuana.

“A baby’s brain begins developing very early in pregnancy, making it especially vulnerable to drugs and chemicals,” Jennifer said. “We worry about cannabis because THC can affect a baby’s developing brain.”

Research is still ongoing, but studies suggest marijuana use in pregnancy increases the risk of:

• Low birth weight.

• Early birth.

• Problems with attention and learning later in childhood.

• Behavioral concerns.

Talking with your doctor, developing an avoidance plan, and asking friends and family for support are all great ways to improve your baby’s health when quitting vaping or smoking during pregnancy.

Is vaping during pregnancy safer than smoking?

Some moms switch from cigarettes to vaping because they believe it’s a safer option.

While vaping may expose your baby to fewer toxic chemicals than traditional cigarettes, that doesn’t mean it’s safe during pregnancy. E-cigarettes can still contain nicotine, flavorings and other harmful chemicals that can affect baby’s development.

“Vaping is not a healthy alternative to traditional smoking, especially during pregnancy,” Jennifer said. “The safest choice for both you and your baby is to avoid all nicotine products, including cigarettes, e-cigarettes and other tobacco products.”

If you’re currently smoking, ask your doctor about options to help you quit.

Tips for quitting vaping during pregnancy

Quitting can be difficult, but help is available.

“It’s never too late to quit,” Jennifer said. “Quitting at any stage of your pregnancy is the best thing you can do for you and your baby.”

Consider these strategies to help you quit vaping now:

• Talk with your OB-GYN. They can help you create a quit plan or refer you to behavioral counseling.

• Identify situations that trigger the urge to vape, and develop a plan to avoid them.

• Ask friends and family for encouragement and support.

• Remove all temptation like vaping devices and supplies from your home.

• Find healthy coping strategies like walking, stretching, deep breathing or chewing sugar-free gum when cravings hit.

• Join a smoking or vaping cessation program.

“Start by talking to your doctor. They can help you find safe, effective ways to stop vaping and support a healthier pregnancy,” Jennifer suggested. “Remember, every day without nicotine is a positive step for you and your baby’s health.”