Smoking is not as common in the UK as it used to be. In 2022, only 11% of adults say they smoke, compared to 40% in the 1970s. However, smoking remains a public health issue that cannot be ignored. To address this challenge, government policy documents recommend supporting adults to quit smoking using alternatives such as e-cigarettes, while making them less attractive, accessible, and affordable for children. For smokers, switching to e-cigarettes is an accessible option. But for non-smokers, the most important thing is to avoid e-cigarettes. So can you still vape if you’re pregnant? Can someone who uses e-cigarettes get pregnant or have a baby?
If you’re trying to quit smoking with e-cigarettes, you may be confused about the safety of your fetus. It is a very legitimate concern for those who are planning to become pregnant or are already pregnant. Whether or not you can continue to use e-cigarettes during pregnancy is an important question.
Can you vape while pregnant?
Let’s look at the frequently asked question, are e-cigarettes harmful to the human body?
The harm that e-cigarettes can cause to the human body relates to the aerosols that are released after using the e-cigarette device. These aerosols contain a variety of harmful substances, including:
- Nicotine: Although nicotine is addictive, it does not directly harm the human body itself.
- Heavy metals: Nickel, tin, lead, etc., these heavy metals can harm human health.
- Carcinogenic chemicals: These substances increase the risk of cancer.
- Volatile organic compounds: Acrylonitrile, acrolein, vanillin, formaldehyde, menthol, propylene oxide, acrylamide, benzaldehyde, eucalyptus oil extract, ethyl vanillin, citral, crotonaldehyde, and so on.
- Ultrafine particles: These particles can deeply penetrate into the lungs and hurt the respiratory system.
- Diacetyl: This substance is a dangerous element and is banned by regulations in regular e-cigarette products. However, it should be noted that only e-cigarettes purchased from illegal sources contain this harmful substance.
However, the authenticity of these harmful substances has not yet been confirmed, so further research is needed to clarify the specific effects of e-cigarettes on the human body.
Are e-cigarettes dangerous for pregnant people?
On January 17, 2024, a study published in the British Journal Addiction reported that researchers at Queen Mary University of London, in collaboration with researchers at the University of New South Wales (Australia), the University of Nottingham, St. George’s University of London, the University of Stirling, the University of Edinburgh, and King’s College London, as well as St. George’s University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, to examine pregnancy outcomes among more than 1,100 pregnant smokers from 23 hospitals in England and one cessation service in Scotland, comparing the use of e-cigarettes or nicotine patches regularly during pregnancy. Data from more than 1,100 pregnant smokers from 23 hospitals in England and a smoking cessation service in Scotland, comparing regular use of e-cigarettes or nicotine patches during pregnancy. The results suggest that regular use of nicotine replacement products during pregnancy is not associated with adverse pregnancy events or adverse pregnancy outcomes.
The study was led by Professor Peter Hajek of the Wolfson Institute for Population Health at Queen Mary University of London. Prof. Hajek said the study figured out two important questions, the practical one of whether e-cigarettes are safe for pregnant women and fetuses, and the other of understanding the risks of smoking.
The results of the study showed that e-cigarettes helped pregnant smokers quit smoking cigarettes and did not pose any detectable risk to pregnancy compared to not using nicotine. Therefore, it seems safe to use nicotine-containing aids to quit smoking during pregnancy.
However, regardless of whether nicotine is contained in the e-liquid, there is no association with nicotine, the main harm caused by e-cigarette devices is in the aerosol.
Prof. Hajek said the harm to pregnancy from using cigarettes seems to be the other chemicals in tobacco smoke rather than nicotine in the second trimester. The study offers some comfort to pregnant women who want to quit smoking and suggests that it is safe to use nicotine replacement during pregnancy.
However, the researchers also emphasized that the results of this study suggest that nicotine replacement products are safe during pregnancy, but this does not mean that pregnant women should start using them. The best advice remains to avoid smoking and inhaling secondhand smoke to protect your health and the health of your baby.
Recently, a leading company in the field of fertility in the UK, Hertility, released a high forefront study. This study conducted an in-depth analysis of data in a large population of 325,000 women, confirming for the first time that the use of electronic cigarettes and fertility an imitated relationship. The research revealed a disturbing finding: women between the ages of 36 and 40 who used electronic cigarettes had significantly lower levels of the hormone AMH, reduced by one-fifth compared to non-users. This change indicates a degree of suppression of AMH levels, which is an important indicator of female fertility. This situation is also observed in traditional smokers.
In response to this discovery, Dr. Helen O’Neill, a renowned lecturer in reproductive and molecular genetics at University College London, the CEO of Hertility, and principal investigator of the study, issued strong advice to women planning a pregnancy. She emphasized that women should quit using electronic cigarettes completely to increase the chances of successful conception, rather than trying to reduce use or adopt moderate use strategies.
In conclusion, to ensure the success of pregnancy and maternal and child health, women who are planning to become pregnant, as well as pregnant women, should strive to avoid both traditional cigarette smoking and the use of electronic cigarettes. Both tobacco products can have adverse effects on female fertility, reducing the chances of conception and potentially posing a threat to the health of the fetus.
Here’s what you need to know: medication use during pregnancy Precautions
- Pregnant women should avoid co-medication. Combination of medication refers to the simultaneous use of multiple medications to treat the same condition. Although combination medications are sometimes necessary, they pose a great risk to pregnant women. This is because pregnant women’s bodies and fetuses are more fragile and cannot withstand the effects of multiple medications working at the same time. Therefore, pregnant women should choose carefully when using drugs and try to avoid unnecessary combinations of medications.
- During pregnancy, especially early pregnancy, is a critical period of fetal development. At this stage, the pregnant woman’s body will undergo obvious changes. Blind use of medications will cause serious damage to health and even lead to miscarriage. Therefore, pregnant women should pay more attention to their health, prevent colds, and avoid unnecessary medication in early pregnancy.
- If a pregnant woman does need to use medication to relieve her condition, it is necessary to minimize the dosage of medication. This is because the normal use of medication would bring greater side effects and adverse effects on the development of the fetus. By controlling the dosage of medication, the risk of side effects from the medication can be reduced and the health of the fetus can be protected.
- Before using any drug, pregnant women should read the detailed instructions, which usually indicate whether a pregnant woman can use the drug, it is very important. By reading the instructions carefully, pregnant women can better understand the nature and potential risks of the drug, so that they can make informed decisions.
So, you now have an answer in mind to the question ‘Should I vape when pregnant?
ANTBAR hereby suggests that pregnant women should take care to be safe and cautious when using medications. By understanding the nature, dosage, and side effects of the medication, as well as following your doctor’s advice and the instructions on the package insert, you can maximize the protection of your health and that of your unborn child. If there are any doubts or concerns, pregnant women should consult their doctors or pharmacists immediately for professional advice and guidance.
