No, it is not safe to vape 0 nicotine while pregnant, as the aerosol contains harmful chemicals like heavy metals, volatile organic compounds, and carcinogens, which can damage the baby's brain, lungs, and immune system, with studies showing risks for preterm birth and low birth weight even without nicotine, making quitting the safest choice for both parent and baby.
“From our research, we can conclude that e-cigarettes, whether or not they contain nicotine, are extremely toxic to the baby during pregnancy,” said Marbrey. “E-cigarettes should not be used during pregnancy, and they are not safe.”
No, 0mg nicotine vapes are not entirely safe; while they eliminate nicotine's addictive and cardiovascular risks, inhaling vaporized propylene glycol (PG), vegetable glycerin (VG), and flavorings can still cause lung irritation, inflammation, and introduce potentially harmful chemicals, with long-term effects still unknown. They are a safer step away from nicotine addiction but not risk-free, as the act of inhaling heated liquids itself carries potential respiratory hazards, say health experts.
Using electronic cigarettes, called vaping, during pregnancy is not safe. Most electronic cigarettes contain nicotine, which permanently damages a baby's developing brain and many other organs. Electronic cigarettes also are called e-cigarettes.
There isn't enough research yet to know if this is true. Vapes (e-cigarettes) can be harmful. They contain nicotine, even when labelled 'nicotine-free', and many other chemicals. These can pass into breastmilk and affect your baby's health.
Prevalence of vaping in pregnancy (four studies) was between 1.2% and 7.0% overall, and <1% among nonsmokers. Twelve studies reported patterns of use, but findings were inconsistent. Twelve of 14 studies asking why pregnant women vaped reported that most vaped to reduce or quit smoking.
With medical advice, these licensed NRT products can be used in pregnancy.
E-cigarettes in pregnancy
E-cigarettes are fairly new and there are still some things we do not know. However, current evidence on e-cigarettes indicates they are much less risky than smoking.
One study has shown that users of e-cigarettes can obtain a substantial amount of nicotine from e-cigarettes that is comparable to regular cigarettes, and we do know that nicotine can cross the placenta.
And smoking while you're pregnant can cause serious problems, too. Your baby could be born too early, have a birth defect, or die from sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS). Even being around cigarette smoke can cause health problems for you and your baby. It's best to quit smoking before you get pregnant.
Within one week your sense of taste and smell may have improved. Within three months you will be coughing and wheezing less, your immune function and circulation to your hands and feet will be improving, and your lungs will be getting better at removing mucus, tar and dust.
So, the sooner you quit vaping, the more significant your healing will be. Research indicates that lung function starts to improve two or three weeks after quitting. However, symptoms like coughing and breathing difficulties can remain for a year or longer as the lungs continue to repair damage where they can.
Nicotine free vape juice or 0mg nicotine vape juice is exactly what it says on the label, a vape juice flavour that contains no nicotine at all and is just VG, PG and flavouring.
Even nicotine-free vapes can harm the lung - study. A new study has identified a protein that nicotine-free vape fluid increases in the lung, causing damage including oxidative stress, inflammation and breakdown of the blood vessels.
Studies have shown that people who used e-cigarettes during pregnancy have an increased chance of preterm delivery (birth before week 37), low birth weight (weighing less than 5 pounds, 8 ounces [2500 grams] at birth), and poor growth.
EFFECTS ON FERTILITY
Recent animal studies have shown that E-cigarettes, even when nicotine free, include many harmful substances that disturb the hormonal balance and reduce the implantation of embryo in women. It also negatively affects the structure and function of the sperms in men.
Most vaping devices do contain nicotine in their cartridges, but that does not mean that all do. It is possible to find devices that do not contain nicotine, however there are still many dangerous chemicals in them that could potentially harm you and your baby, while you are pregnant.
If you're pregnant, it's best if you can stop smoking or vaping right away.
Similarly, recent studies in different animal models have reported that maternal e-cigarette smoking exposure induces aberrant changes in the developing brain in offspring (1, 43), leading to development of offspring brain ischemic injury, cognitive dysfunction, and behavior disorder (44, 45).
There's no exact number, but roughly 10-15 vape puffs can equal one cigarette, though this varies greatly; it could be as few as 4 puffs with high-nicotine liquid or up to 50 puffs with weaker liquid, depending on puff duration, device power (pod vs. mod), and e-liquid strength (like 5% vs. 12mg/mL). A single cigarette delivers about 1-2 mg of nicotine, while a vape's nicotine delivery changes significantly with user style and device settings.
If you're seeking pregnancy-safe vape alternatives, consider nicotine replacement therapy (NRT). These options, such as nicotine gum or patches, provide controlled doses of nicotine without exposing you or your baby to the harmful chemicals found in vape products.
Point-of-care screenings and counseling for behaviors such as alcohol use and domestic violence are common in prenatal care and accepted by clinicians. Over the past several decades, tests for cotinine and other tobacco byproducts have become available and are used in research settings to identify pregnant smokers.
Maternal cigarette smoking during either the first or the second trimester of pregnancy, even as low as 1–2 cigarettes per day, was associated with increased risks of preterm birth.
The hardest day of quitting smoking is typically Day 3, when physical nicotine withdrawal symptoms like intense cravings, irritability, headaches, and fatigue peak as nicotine leaves your system, but these intense feelings generally start to improve after this point, though emotional challenges can linger. While the first week is the toughest overall, remember that symptoms gradually subside over a few weeks, and having a plan for managing triggers is key to getting past this initial hurdle.
As to timing, women who smoked only before pregnancy or only during the first, second, or third trimester had higher odds of their newborn experiencing more than one major health issue than women who didn't smoke at any point.