Smoking in Pregnancy

Cigarette smoking is common in pregnancy. Smoking is associated with lower birth weights in a dose-dependent manner. There are more abruptions and higher perinatal mortality rates. There also seems to be a slight increase in spontaneous abortions. Although there is a small increase in preterm delivery rates this involves a shortening of the gestation by only one to two days and probably is not clinically significant. Women should be questioned about their use of cigarettes and encouraged to stop as early as possible in the pregnancy.