Why Avoiding Vaping During
Pregnancy Matters
What We Know
While vaping may seem safer than smoking, it is still not safe — especially during pregnancy. Whether you’re vaping nicotine or marijuana, during pregnancy, everything you eat, drink, or inhale can pass through the placenta to the developing baby. This includes the aerosol from vapes, containing nicotine, marijuana, and other chemicals. Research indicates there are thousands of potentially harmful substances in e-cigarettes, including heavy metals, ultrafine particles, and toxins. Consequently, there are likely impacts on both the mother and the baby, though the extent of these impacts is still being studied.
Vaping Nicotine
Vaping is often thought to be a “safer” alternative to smoking, and many people turn to it to cope with stress, quit cigarettes, or manage daily challenges. We know that nicotine is highly addictive and is present in unregulated amounts in e-cigarettes and is easily absorbed. Vaping can increase the risk of heart disease and stroke by raising blood pressure and damaging blood vessels. Over time, vaping may weaken the immune system, making the body more vulnerable to respiratory infections and illness.
Vaping Marijuana
Using marijuana (cannabis) during pregnancy — no matter how you’re using it — can impact the development of your baby. This includes vaping, eating, smoking, drinking, etc. Vape cartridges can contain other potentially harmful substances for both you and your baby. Even though cannabis is legal in many states and often considered “natural,” there are no studies that show it’s safe to use during pregnancy.
Breast Milk
Remember, everything you take in can be passed to your baby through your breastmilk. This includes nicotine and cannabis, which can flavor the milk and limit your baby’s appetite. Ingestion can also cause your baby to vomit, have diarrhea, be restless, and have a high heart rate.
Unintentional Exposure
Even non-traditional cigarettes can expose children, and others, to detectable levels of nicotine and cannabis. Additionally, the secondary ingredients that are emitted, as a result of the high heat present in the e-cigarette device, may be harmful and contain cancer-causing elements.
It’s Never Too Late!
Talk to Someone
No matter how far along you are in your pregnancy, quitting e-cigarettes now will benefit both you and your baby. Contact your healthcare provider.
(1) McGrath-Morrow, S.A., Gorzkowski, J., Groner, J.A., Rule, A. M., Wilson, K., Tanski, S. E., Collaco, J.M., Klein, J. D. (2020). The effects of nicotine on development. Pediatrics, 145(3): e20191346. 10.1542/peds.2019-1346.