Vaping heavily without knowing I'm pregnant

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Hi all,

No hate please as I feel awful enough as it is, and I know that the opinions on vapes on here aren't positive (which I completely agree with but here I am)

I have just found out that I am about 7 weeks pregnant. I have been vaping heavily as normal for the past 7 weeks as I had no idea. I use the disposable vapes which I have been using since giving up smoking a few years back.

I have of course completely stopped now that I have found out and will not touch another one, but I am so worried to the point that I'm even considering terminating the pregnancy incase I have caused damage.

I haven't touched a sip of alcohol in the past 7 weeks but the vaping has been continuous.

Has anybody else experienced this? I really don't know what's for the best as I know we don't know what damage vapes cause.

I'm not sure what exactly I am looking for, but any advice welcome please

I don’t know but you’ve stopped now, that’s all you can do really. I’m sure lots of people don’t know they’re pregnant the first few weeks or spend the whole pregnancy around second hand smoke. At a guess I’d assume smoking later on when lungs etc are forming would be worse but I honestly don’t know. I know what you’re saying about not knowing the effects of vaping, but I’d lean towards assuming it will be ok since you’re stopping now. Could you speak with your gp or midwife and see what they say?

I was a smoker when I found out I was pregnant and I gave up completely and my midwife said if I get a craving to get a vape instead so it is probably fine or my midwife wouldn't say that I imagine, luckily I haven't needed one!

@Cronchy thanks for your comment. I think I'm best speaking to a professional and seeing what they say. I imagine a lot of people have been in this position, I'd just feel awful if something was wrong

@PixieTrance89 thank you so much! That's reassuring to know, and well done for giving up completely that must be so hard. If the midwife said that then I'm hoping that 7 weeks of vaping wouldn't have done any damage (I pray)

As far as I understand it, the issue with smoking is that it affects the level of oxygen in blood flow so it can impact the health of the placenta.

I don't believe vaping has that affect on blood flow because it doesn't contain carbon monoxide.

Nicotine does cross the placenta so I'd avoid it, but I doubt you've caused any significant harm.

I'm not a doctor, but that's my understanding at least.

You’ve stopped early enough that you will be fine. The placenta hasn’t taken over at that point so nothing is being passed over. The main risks are things like preterm birth, low birth weight and miscarriage, as you have already stopped this won’t be an issue, but certainly not reasons to terminate. Do you often find you have higher than normal levels of anxiety as it may be worth speaking to your midwife about them, it’s very common during pregnancy and there is good support to help you.

Well done for stopping, hope you have a lovely smooth pregnancy.