Tobacco and pregnancy

Anyone can stop using tobacco. The most important thing is that you want to stop.
Remember that cravings for tobacco usually only last a few minutes.

It is often easier to stop during pregnancy. You may be motivated by wanting your baby to be as healthy as possible.

Pregnancy may also curb your craving for tobacco.

Examples of tobacco products include cigarettes, hookah, e-cigarettes and snus, which you put under your lip. All of these contain harmful substances, such as nicotine.

E-cigarettes are available without nicotine. But there are other substances in e-cigarettes that can be harmful. That is why you should also avoid e-cigarettes during pregnancy.

Tobacco contains harmful substances.

When you use tobacco, these harmful substances enter your bloodstream. Your blood passes into the placenta. From the placenta, the harmful substances enter the baby’s body.

Here is what could happen if you use tobacco when you are pregnant: 

• The risk of miscarriage may increase.
• The baby may not grow properly.
• The placenta may detach prematurely.
• Labour may start prematurely.

Tobacco can increase the risk of the baby dying in the womb or in the first six months after birth.

You may feel bad if you have used tobacco while pregnant. It is common to feel some shame and guilt.

The most important thing is not to expose your baby to more tobacco. Think about how to make things as good as possible from now on.

Seek treatment if you need help to stop using tobacco.

You can contact one of these clinics:
• A midwifery clinic (barnmorskemottagning).
• A healthcare centre (vårdcentral).

Get help from an interpreter

You can get help from an interpreter if you do not speak Swedish. Let the clinic know you need an interpreter when you book your appointment.

Call 1177 for advice

Call 1177 for help on what to do.
Your call will be answered by a nurse. The nurse can speak both Swedish and English. Help is sometimes available in other languages.
Call +46 771 11 77 00 if you are calling from a phone with a foreign number.

Nicotine gum or patches are available. They reduce the craving for tobacco. But such medicines are harmful to the baby.

Talk to a doctor if you need to use medicines with nicotine when you are pregnant or breastfeeding.