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Pregnancy

Talk about every stage of pregnancy, from early symptoms to preparing for birth.

Second hand smoke pregnancy concern

6 replies

Jesscat21 · 16/06/2023 23:25

Hello,
this is my first post on here. Basically, I have a job which requires me to visit people in their homes. I visited a couple today who clearly smoked very heavily - when I arrived the living room stank of smoke & was a very small room . The room was dark due to the blinds being closed but the window was slightly open.
i didn’t necessarily see smoke in the air (although the room was dark) and I dont believe I saw either of them inhale a cigarette during my visit. Although they might have without me noticing. However I think cigarettes may have been lit in an ash tray in the small living room .
it was a short visit - around 5 minutes in total but It has worried me. Is there any risk to my baby by being in that environment? I’m aware I may be overreacting but I am a first time parent - I’m aware you can’t protect yourself from every risk during pregnancy but just looking for some reassurance . Thanks in advance

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Namechange20222022 · 16/06/2023 23:30

If you were spending all day every day then that’s not ideal, but not if this was this a one off 5 mins and you wouldn’t usually be in this type of environment?

Jesscat21 · 16/06/2023 23:41

Yeah it was a one off - around 5 minutes in total.

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HirplesWithHaggis · 16/06/2023 23:51

Absolutely no risk at all. You inhale more shite walking down a busy high street.

Lcb123 · 17/06/2023 07:27

You’d inhale worse walking down a busy road, honestly don’t worry

Ged94 · 17/06/2023 13:54

I think the risk is just if you or someone you live with smokes.

I would say it's worth raising in you're pregnancy risk assessment for work and people are generally fine if you ask to open a window for some clean air.

The reason I told work I was pregnant this time (currently 39 weeks) was because I went to a house when I was 5 weeks where 3 people were smoking and it felt so so so smokey. I don't think there is any evidence a one off exposure hurts baby but I had a misscarraige a few months prior and didn't want anything niggling on my brain that I could have done differently

My dad smokes and I still visit my parents although I avoid sitting in a room he's smoking in

Jesscat21 · 18/06/2023 21:37

Thanks for your response.
I have raised it in my risk assessment & will be a lot more cautious going forward I think.
it was more after the event occurred it got me thinking.
i do think from the responses on here/ my own research the risk is minimal / if any so think I’m just an over cautious / anxious m2b.
hope all goes well for the last weeks of your pregnancy

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