Vaping has become increasingly popular in recent years, with many people turning to e-cigarettes and other vaping devices as an alternative to traditional cigarettes. However, when it comes to pregnancy, the safety of vaping remains a significant concern. Whether you’re using e-cigarettes with nicotine, THC, CBD, or even nicotine-free fluids, vaping can pose serious risks to your developing baby.
How Vaping Affects Fetal Development
When you vape during pregnancy, the substances you inhale can cross the placental barrier and directly impact your baby’s development. Nicotine, a common ingredient in many e-cigarettes, is particularly harmful. It can lead to a range of adverse outcomes, including:
- Increased inflammation throughout your body [1]
- A higher risk of preterm birth [2]
- Restricted fetal growth and development [3]
But nicotine isn’t the only concern. E-cigarettes often contain flavoring agents and preservatives that can further increase the risk of complications. In fact, a recent study found that mint and menthol-flavored e-cigarette fluids were associated with a higher likelihood of pregnancy loss, such as miscarriage or stillbirth [4].
Some e-cigarettes also contain diacetyl, a chemical that gives vape fluids a buttery or creamy flavor. Diacetyl has been linked to a serious lung condition called bronchiolitis obliterans, or “popcorn lung” [5]. Other common ingredients in e-cigarettes, like propylene glycol and vegetable glycerin, can produce toxic byproducts when heated, which may contribute to inflammation in your body [6].
The Long-Term Impact on Your Baby’s Health
Vaping during pregnancy can have lasting effects on your baby’s health, even after they’re born. Exposure to nicotine in the womb can lead to:
- Low birth weight, which increases the risk of infections, delayed development, and other health issues [7]
- Respiratory problems, including a higher likelihood of infections and long-term conditions like asthma [8]
- Neurodevelopmental issues, such as attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and learning difficulties [9]
While more research is needed to fully understand the long-term impact of other chemicals found in vape fluids, it’s clear that exposing your developing baby to these substances is a risk not worth taking.
Comparing the Risks: E-Cigarettes vs. Traditional Cigarettes and Nicotine Replacement Therapy
You might have heard that e-cigarettes are a safer alternative to traditional cigarettes, but when it comes to pregnancy, this isn’t necessarily true. While e-cigarettes don’t contain tobacco, they still deliver nicotine, which is both addictive and harmful to your baby’s development. Plus, e-cigarettes often contain other potentially dangerous additives, like flavorings [10].
What about nicotine replacement therapy (NRT), like nicotine gum or patches? According to recent research, the risks of using e-cigarettes and NRT during pregnancy are similar [11]. The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG) advises pregnant women to avoid all products containing nicotine, including NRT and e-cigarettes, if possible [12].
However, if you’re struggling to quit smoking cigarettes entirely, e-cigarettes may be a more effective tool than NRT. A study found that pregnant women who used e-cigarettes were more likely to quit smoking cigarettes compared to those who used NRT [13].
The Dangers of Vaping THC, CBD, and Other Nicotine-Free Fluids
Even if you’re using vaping products that don’t contain nicotine, there are still potential risks to consider. Vaping THC, the psychoactive compound in cannabis, can be particularly dangerous during pregnancy. Research suggests that using cannabis while pregnant may affect fetal growth and development [14]. The ACOG recommends avoiding cannabis entirely during pregnancy [15].
CBD, another compound found in cannabis, doesn’t cause the “high” associated with THC. However, this doesn’t mean it’s safe to use during pregnancy. There’s a lack of research on the effects of CBD on fetal development, which has led the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to advise against using CBD while pregnant or breastfeeding [16].
Even nicotine-free vape fluids can contain potentially harmful ingredients. As mentioned earlier, flavorings and other additives can pose risks, and heating certain substances like propylene glycol and vegetable glycerin can create toxic byproducts [17].
Protecting Your Baby’s Health: Quitting Vaping During Pregnancy
The best way to protect your baby’s health is to avoid vaping entirely during pregnancy. If you’re struggling to quit, don’t hesitate to reach out for help. Talk to your healthcare provider about your options for quitting. They can offer guidance and support, and may recommend resources like counseling or support groups.
Remember, every step you take towards quitting vaping is a step towards giving your baby the healthiest possible start in life. Your baby’s well-being is worth the effort.
References:
- Palpant, N. J., Hofsteen, P., Pabon, L., Reinecke, H., & Murry, C. E. (2015). Cardiac development in zebrafish and human embryonic stem cells is inhibited by exposure to tobacco cigarettes and e-cigarettes. PLOS ONE, 10(5), e0126259. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0126259 ↩︎
- Cardenas, V. M., Cen, R., Clemens, M. M., Moody, H. L., Ekanem, U. S., Policherla, A., Fischbach, L. A., Eswaran, H., Magann, E. F., Delongchamp, R. R., Hy, W., & Ahluwalia, I. B. (2019). Use of electronic nicotine delivery systems (ENDS) by pregnant women I: Risk of small-for-gestational-age birth. Tobacco Induced Diseases, 17(May), 44. https://doi.org/10.18332/tid/106089 ↩︎
- Whittington, J. R., Simmons, P. M., Phillips, A. M., Gammill, S. K., Cen, R., Magann, E. F., & Cardenas, V. M. (2018). The use of electronic cigarettes in pregnancy: A review of the literature. Obstetrical & Gynecological Survey, 73(9), 544-549. https://doi.org/10.1097/OGX.0000000000000595 ↩︎
- Lim, T. Y., Park, J., & Jang, S. (2023). Association of menthol and mint flavored e-cigarette use with adverse pregnancy outcomes: Findings from a national population-based study. Tobacco Control, tobaccocontrol-2022-057492. https://doi.org/10.1136/tc-2022-057492 ↩︎
- Allen, J. G., Flanigan, S. S., LeBlanc, M., Vallarino, J., MacNaughton, P., Stewart, J. H., & Christiani, D. C. (2015). Flavoring chemicals in e-cigarettes: Diacetyl, 2,3-pentanedione, and acetoin in a sample of 51 products, including fruit-, candy-, and cocktail-flavored e-cigarettes. Environmental Health Perspectives, 124(6), 733-739. https://doi.org/10.1289/ehp.1510185 ↩︎
- Buchanan, N. D., Grimmer, J. A., Tanwar, V., Schwieterman, N., Mohler, P. J., & Wold, L. E. (2019). Cardiovascular risk of electronic cigarettes: A review of preclinical and clinical studies. Cardiovascular Research, 116(1), 40-50. https://doi.org/10.1093/cvr/cvz256 ↩︎
- Källén, K. (2001). The impact of maternal smoking during pregnancy on delivery outcome. European Journal of Public Health, 11(3), 329-333. https://doi.org/10.1093/eurpub/11.3.329 ↩︎
- Gibbs, K., Collaco, J. M., & McGrath-Morrow, S. A. (2016). Impact of tobacco smoke and nicotine exposure on lung development. Chest, 149(2), 552-561. https://doi.org/10.1378/chest.15-1858 ↩︎
- England, L. J., Aagaard, K., Bloch, M., Conway, K., Cosgrove, K., Grana, R., Gould, T. J., Hatsukami, D., Jensen, F., Kandel, D., Lanphear, B., Leslie, F., Pauly, J. R., Neiderhiser, J., Rubinstein, M., Slotkin, T. A., Spindel, E., Stroud, L., & Wakschlag, L. (2017). Developmental toxicity of nicotine: A transdisciplinary synthesis and implications for emerging tobacco products. Neuroscience & Biobehavioral Reviews, 72, 176-189. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.neubiorev.2016.11.013 ↩︎
- National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine. (2018). Public health consequences of e-cigarettes. The National Academies Press. https://doi.org/10.17226/24952 ↩︎
- McDonnell, B. P., Dicker, P., & Regan, C. L. (2022). Electronic cigarettes and obstetric outcomes: A prospective observational study. BJOG: An International Journal of Obstetrics & Gynaecology, 127(6), 750-756. https://doi.org/10.1111/1471-0528.16110 ↩︎
- American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists. (2020). Tobacco and nicotine cessation during pregnancy: ACOG Committee Opinion, Number 807. Obstetrics & Gynecology, 135(5), e221-e229. https://doi.org/10.1097/aog.0000000000003822 ↩︎
- Myers Smith, K., & Phillips-Waller, A. (2021). Effectiveness, safety and acceptability of tobacco and nicotine products for smoking cessation in pregnancy: A systematic review and network meta-analysis. Addiction. https://doi.org/10.1111/add.15885 ↩︎
- Corsi, D. J., Walsh, L., Weiss, D., Hsu, H., El-Chaar, D., Hawken, S., Fell, D. B., & Walker, M. (2019). Association between self-reported prenatal cannabis use and maternal, perinatal, and neonatal outcomes. JAMA, 322(2), 145-152. https://doi.org/10.1001/jama.2019.8734 ↩︎
- Committee on Obstetric Practice. (2017). Committee Opinion No. 722: Marijuana use during pregnancy and lactation. Obstetrics & Gynecology, 130(4), e205-e209. https://doi.org/10.1097/aog.0000000000002354 ↩︎
- U.S. Food and Drug Administration. (2019, October 16). What you should know about using cannabis, including CBD, when pregnant or breastfeeding. https://www.fda.gov/consumers/consumer-updates/what-you-should-know-about-using-cannabis-including-cbd-when-pregnant-or-breastfeeding ↩︎
- Goniewicz, M. L., Smith, D. M., Edwards, K. C., Blount, B. C., Caldwell, K. L., Feng, J., Wang, L., Christensen, C., Ambrose, B., Borek, N., van Bemmel, D., Konkel, K., Erives, G., Stanton, C. A., Lambert, E., Kimmel, H. L., Hatsukami, D., Hecht, S. S., Niaura, R. S., . . . Hyland, A. J. (2018). Comparison of nicotine and toxicant exposure in users of electronic cigarettes and combustible cigarettes. JAMA Network Open, 1(8), e185937. https://doi.org/10.1001/jamanetworkopen.2018.5937 ↩︎
