Oct. 7, 2004 -- The number of American women smoking during pregnancy has de
Oct. 7, 2004 -- The number of American women smoking during pregnancy has declined since 1990, according to the CDC.
In 2002, smoking during pregnancy was seen in about 11% of pregnant women in the U.S.
That's 38% less than in 1990, when a little more than 18% of American women were smoking during pregnancy.
"Rates of smoking during pregnancy in the United States have consistently declined since 1990," states a CDC news release.
The numbers are based on birth certificates issued in Washington, D.C., New York, and every state except California, which does not collect information on women smoking during pregnancy in the standard format on its birth certificates.
The data, reported to the CDC's National Vital Statistics System, appear in the Oct. 8 issue of the CDC's Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report.
Smoking During Pregnancy: Positive Trend
All states collecting data since 1990 had "significantly lower" rates of women smoking during pregnancy in 2002 than in 1990.
Numbers varied from state to state.
For instance, West Virginia had the smallest decrease (5.8%) and Massachusetts had the largest decrease, with 68% fewer women smoking during pregnancy.
The CDC wants the trend to continue.
By the year 2010, the CDC's goal is to increase smoking cessation in 30% of pregnant smokers. In addition, the CDC hopes to eliminate smoking during pregnancy in 99% of women by the time they give birth.
Teens, Smoking During Pregnancy on the Rise
Rates of smoking during pregnancy have varied since 1990.
For example, 34 states had significant declines in numbers of teens smoking during pregnancy from 1990-1991 to 1995-1996.
However, teens smoking during pregnancy increased in 15 states between 1995-1996 and 2001-2002.
What's more, 10 of those 15 states had shown a significant decrease in teens smoking during pregnancy just a few years earlier, from 1990-1991 to 1995-1996.
Health Consequences
Smoking during pregnancy jeopardizes the mother's health as well as that of the baby.
For instance, poor pregnancy outcomes and low birth weight are associated with smoking during pregnancy. Low birth weight is a key predictor for infant deaths, says the CDC.
Smoking may also increase infertility and conception delay.
Though many women have gotten the message, more work is needed to reach others.
"Further efforts are needed to persuade these women of the health risks posed to their infants and themselves from smoking during pregnancy," says the CDC.
