Can electronic cigarettes hurt your baby during pregnancy?
Well I have been a smoker for at least 3 years now and I've been in and out if trying to quit. My boyfriend and I have recently gotten an E-cigarette. Its much better for me, no toxins and I still get my nicotine fill. Now I think I'm about 2 weeks pregnant, So although this E-cigarette helps to prevent all the chemicals and toxins from going into my lungs and 2nd hand smoke, Does it make it possible to be pregnant and still smoke during, or would the nicotine harm my baby?
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Obviously, not smoking anything is the best option. However, sometimes it just isn't an option. So you have to decide... do you think it is the nicotine you are addicted to, the other ingredients (and yes... arsenic, carbon monoxide and some of the other by-products in tobacco cigarettes are highly addictive), or is it the action itself.
What most people don't realize is that the electronic cigarette comes in a variety of strengths, including a zero nicotine. So basically, you can continue with the action, but not get the nicotine.
The ingredients of an electronic cigarette vary, but in most cases, they have flavoring, propylene glycol and either nicotine and no nicotine.
Since you are probably visiting your doctor regularly, here are some things to take with you to help your physician decide if the electronic cigarette is right for you...
Let's talk about propylene glycol. Propylene glycol is found in thousands of products. Go into your bathroom and have a look. Go into your medicine cabinet and have a look. I am putting a link to a 2006 report from the EPA regarding propylene glycol. They do discuss propylene glycol by inhalation on the unborn fetus. This would be good information to provide the doctor. http://www.e-cig.org/pdfs/EPA-Approval-o…
There have also been studies done since the 40's regarding the anti-bacterial effects from inhalation of propylene glycol. http://www.e-cig.org/pdfs/1946-Synopsis-…
One study shows that you are actually getting 1/3 of the nicotine as you would in comparison to a tobacco cigarette. http://www.e-cig.org/pdfs/2008-NZ-Report… Another thing to note is that if you want to stay away from nicotine completely, you should eliminate tomatoes, eggplant, and other products that come from the nightshade family of plants as they all contain nicotine (very small amounts... but still there).
Let's talk about carcinogens. Currently, the only product that contains nicotine that does not contain carcinogens is the Commit Lozenge. The gum, the patch, the nicotine inhaler, the nasal sprays all have carcinogens. The electronic cigarette liquid was tested and it was found that there were carcinogens present. However, the liquid is inhaled, not consumed orally. Vapor testing to date shows no carcinogens in the vapor and there should be some more reports coming out here shortly. However, the NZ-Report I listed above has some good information on that. Did you also know that carcinogens are found in meat and as you cook them... the carcinogens get more powerful?
No matter what you decide, do not feel guilty. Remember, it is the DOSE that is the devil, not what you are actually doing. I have been pregnant twice and been a pack a day smoker for 16 years. Both times, my doctor (different doctors) told me that greatly reducing my consumption was the best route if I couldn't quit. Stress and anxiety are far more harmful on the baby than anyone can possibly imagine.
I use and love my electronic cigarette. Feel free to ask any questions. I am not a doctor... but I do an obscene amount of research and blogging on the subject and I am more than happy to help you put together the information you need to discuss this with your physician. But no matter what you do... you need to discuss it with your doctor... even if you go cold turkey because Doc needs to know to keep an eye on your anxiety levels.
Electronic cigarettes are not as harmful as regular cigs because they contain no tobacco and therefore emit no carcinogenic chemicals. However ...
