Can you vape while pregnant? Understanding the risks

Many pregnant women wonder if it's safe to use electronic cigarettes (e-cigarettes) such as vape disposables during their pregnancy as an alternative to smoking. However, despite some people thinking e-cigarettes are safer, there's a lot of evidence showing that vaping can be harmful to both you and your baby. Experts and studies warn about the risks of breathing in the vapor from e-cigarettes because it can contain nicotine and other dangerous chemicals. It's important for pregnant women to know about these risks if they're thinking about vaping. Simply put, it's best not to vape while pregnant.

The Dangers of Nicotine and Chemical Exposure

Most e-cigarettes contain nicotine, a substance known to cause irreversible harm to a baby's developing brain and other organs. E-cigarette liquids are not just nicotine; they also include various chemicals, flavors, and additives, the safety of which for a developing fetus is not established. The perception that vaping is less harmful than traditional smoking has led some pregnant women to use e-cigarettes, often without knowing whether their device contains nicotine. Even nicotine-free e-cigarettes can expose the fetus to toxins potentially, given the various chemicals in the vapor.

Comparing Smoking and Vaping During Pregnancy

While smoking cigarettes during pregnancy has long been known to reduce oxygen and nutrient delivery to the fetus, causing slower growth, development issues, and an increased risk of birth defects, vaping is mistakenly seen as a harmless alternative. However, vaping can still introduce harmful chemicals to the fetus, albeit at lower levels than cigarette smoke. The long-term effects of these exposures are not fully understood, making vaping a risky choice during pregnancy.

The Role of E-cigarettes in Smoking Cessation

Some argue that vaping can aid in smoking cessation. While e-cigarettes might help some smokers quit, health professionals recommend licensed nicotine replacement therapy products, such as patches and gum, as safer alternatives during pregnancy. The goal should be to eliminate nicotine exposure altogether for the health of both the mother and the baby.

Comparing Cigarettes and Vaping Devices

Cigarettes and vaping devices offer different methods of nicotine delivery, each with unique health implications. The combustion of tobacco in cigarettes releases numerous harmful chemicals, making smoking a significant health hazard. Vaping, though lacking combustion, is not devoid of risks. E-liquids contain not only potentially addictive nicotine but also various chemicals and flavorings whose long-term inhalation effects are concerning. The ongoing research into vaping's health impacts, especially regarding lung and cardiovascular risks, underscores the need for caution.

Both smoking and vaping pose health risks, with neither being advisable, particularly during pregnancy and for young individuals. The pursuit of a nicotine-free lifestyle through professional cessation support is the recommended course for improving overall health and well-being.

For those new to the concept of vaping or seeking more detailed information about what it entails, this article provides a comprehensive overview and is it worse than smoking?

Can You Vape While Pregnant? Debunking Myths with Facts and Statistics

As the smoking rates in the U.S. have significantly declined from 42.4% in 1965 to 13.9% in 2017, electronic nicotine delivery systems (ENDS), or vaping, have become increasingly popular, including among pregnant women. A startling March 2019 study revealed that 7% of women vaped before, during, or after pregnancy, with over 38% of these women admitting to using nicotine-containing products in their last trimester. Moreover, vaping rates among young girls have surged from 1% in 2011 to 19% in 2018, indicating a potential future rise in nicotine addiction among pregnant women.

Despite the misconception that vaping is a safer alternative to smoking during pregnancy, evidence suggests otherwise. A study in the Obstetrical & Gynecological Survey indicated that nicotine consumption from ENDS is comparable to traditional smoking. The aerosol from vaping devices, even those without nicotine, contains harmful substances like lead, benzene, and diacetyl, challenging the notion of their safety. The lack of significant health warnings on vaping products further contributes to misinformation and potential risks.

Robyn Horsager-Boehrer, M.D., emphasizes the severity of vaping during pregnancy, stating, "Vaping during pregnancy has deeper implications. In utero exposure to nicotine, which is found in many vaping products, is known to directly harm fetuses by causing abnormal lung, heart, brain, and immune system development, which carries lifelong consequences."

Vaping Without Nicotine: A Safer Alternative?

Overview of Nicotine-Free Vaping 

Vaping without nicotine is seen as a safer choice for people who like to smoke but want to avoid the addictive and harmful effects of nicotine. These devices turn a liquid into a vapor that mimics smoking's flavor and feeling, but without nicotine's dangers. However, when it comes to being pregnant, the risks are even more significant because the health of the unborn baby is also at stake.

Risks of Vaping Without Nicotine During Pregnancy

When it comes to vaping without nicotine during pregnancy, there are serious safety concerns. Experts point out that there hasn't been enough research on how breathing in vaporized chemicals affects pregnant women and their babies. The concern isn't just nicotine; the many chemicals and additives in vaping liquids could also harm the baby's development and the mother's health.

The Impact of Nicotine on Fetal Development

Understanding the Dangers of Nicotine

Nicotine is a known harmful agent that can significantly affect fetal development, leading to issues like premature birth, low birth weight, and developmental problems. Although nicotine-free vapes may appear safer, the presence of other chemicals in e-liquids is a concern for the health of the fetus.

Smoking Cessation and Pregnancy

Can Vaping Aid in Quitting Smoking During Pregnancy?

Many pregnant women consider vaping as a method to quit smoking, aiming to reduce the risks associated with traditional cigarettes. However, health professionals generally recommend proven nicotine replacement therapies (NRTs) and behavioral support over vaping, due to the unknowns and potential risks of e-cigarette use during pregnancy.

Evaluating the Safety of Vaping During Pregnancy

The Impact of Vaping on Pregnancy and Fetal Health

The primary concern with vaping during pregnancy is the potential exposure to harmful chemicals, which could interfere with fetal development and result in negative health outcomes. Research and expert advice strongly discourage vaping while pregnant, highlighting the importance of seeking safer smoking cessation methods.

Regulatory and Health Perspectives on Vaping

As vaping becomes more popular, health organizations and governments are trying to figure out how to deal with its use, especially during pregnancy. Although rules and advice are still being developed, the general recommendation is for pregnant women to avoid vaping to protect their baby's health and development.

Debunking Myths Around Vaping and Pregnancy

Myth: Vaping is Safer than Going Cold Turkey

Many people think that if a pregnant woman stops smoking suddenly, it might cause withdrawal symptoms in the baby, similar to what happens with certain illegal drugs. But, research tells us this isn't the case for quitting smoking. There's no evidence that stopping smoking quickly harms the baby or causes any distress. Also, the worry that quitting smoking might stress the mom too much isn’t backed by science—it's not dangerous for the pregnancy.

However, it's important to know that using things like nicotine patches or gum to help quit smoking hasn't been proven safe for pregnant women. Interestingly, a lot of women—almost half—manage to quit smoking on their own as soon as they find out they're pregnant or during their pregnancy, without needing any special products to help them. This shows that quitting smoking directly, without switching to vaping, is definitely possible during pregnancy.

Myth: Lack of Doctor Inquiry Means Vaping is Safe

Some people might think that if their doctor doesn't ask about vaping, it's not a big deal. But that's not true. Sometimes, doctors might not bring up vaping as much as smoking because they might not be as familiar with talking about e-cigarettes, or they might not see vaping as different from smoking. However, it's really important for pregnant women to tell their doctors if they're vaping. Talking openly about it can help the doctor give the best advice for a healthy pregnancy. So, if you're pregnant and vaping, make sure to bring it up with your healthcare provider.

Conclusion

Quitting smoking, including vaping, is strongly supported by obstetricians and gynecologists for pregnant women. The clear stance is that vaping is not a safe alternative during pregnancy, and women are urged to seek support and resources for quitting smoking altogether. By understanding the risks and debunking common myths around vaping and pregnancy, expectant mothers can make informed decisions for their health and their baby's well-being.

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Author, Josh Kim, Team Member of Eliquidstop

References 

https://utswmed.org/medblog/4-myths-about-vaping-and-pregnancy-busted/

https://www.tommys.org/pregnancy-information/im-pregnant/smoking-and-pregnancy/electronic-cigarettes-and-vaping

https://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/pregnancy-week-by-week/expert-answers/vaping-during-pregnancy/faq-20462062

https://www.betterhealth.vic.gov.au/health/healthyliving/pregnancy-and-smoking

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2770192/