Researchers in Denmark found that women who gave up smoking during pregnancy had babies of healthier weights than women who chose not to. Even women that had smoked right up until they found out they were pregnant or even a few months into their pregnancies saw the benefits of quitting.
Maternal medicine expert Amber Samuel told Reuters Health that "quitting early in pregnancy is as helpful to the birthweight of your baby as never having smoked while you were pregnant."
According to The American Cancer Society, up to 5% of infant deaths could be prevented if mothers did not smoke while carrying.
Not only is living a smoke-free life while pregnant beneficial to the baby, it is also beneficial to the mother. Carrying moms are said to gain more weight during pregnancy, which leads to better health for them and their babies. Quitting smoking also reduces mothers' chances of gestational diabetes, obesity and heart disease.