A–Z Glossary

Preconception period

The preconception period is the time before pregnancy when health changes can reduce risks before conception and early development.

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Quitting smoking before pregnancy

Quitting smoking before pregnancy

Why quitting before conception matters Smoking affects pregnancy before many people know they are pregnant. In the first weeks after conception, the embryo implants and the placenta begins to form. Cigarette smoke exposure during this period can affect oxygen delivery, vascular function, inflammation, and placental development. Carbon monoxide binds hemoglobin with high affinity, reducing oxygen […]