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Robin Elise Weiss

Robin Elise Weiss

Author of several pregnancy books and mother of seven

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Kip Kozlowski

Kip Kozlowski

Certified nurse-midwife and founder of the Greenhouse Birth...

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Ann Douglas

Author of 28 books on pregnancy and motherhood

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And Inhale! And Exhale!

And Inhale! And Exhale!

It’s shouldn’t comes as much of a surprise that women planning to get pregnant should quit smoking, yet research shows that an estimated 20% of women in the US smoke throughout their pregnancy. Now a new study by scientists at St. George’s University of London has found that physical exertion may help these women kick the habit once and for all. In fact, one-quarter of women who exercised regularly while expecting were successful in quitting, probably because physical exertion helps to reduce cravings.

Not that you haven't already heard it, but the health risks associated with smoking while pregnant include increased risk of  miscarriage and stillbirth, premature delivery and low birth weight and lung problems for baby.

Did you have to quit smoking before getting pregnant?  Share your secrets below.  If you’re still trying to quit, visit our “Quit Smoking” page on the Health channel for tips and advice to get you through it.

Posted: 9/24/08
LauraLee311

My mom smoked while pregnant with me and my sister, but that was back when the doctors told you to "just take what you smoke normally and cut it in half." They didn't expect or recommend you to quit smoking if you were pregnant or trying to get pregnant. So it's no surprise that my sister and I were low- birth-weight babies. I'm actually amazed that we don't have any health problems linked to it, such as asthma.