Is It Safe To Vape While You’re Pregnant?

Can vaping hurt an unborn baby? Is vaping safer than smoking real cigarettes? Does vape even have nicotine in it?

Because so many young people vape, there’s a lot of confusion around its safety. It’s good that you’re asking questions and doing research to figure out what’s safe and healthy for you and your baby during pregnancy.

First, if you’re not sure whether vaping is dangerous or safe, unhealthy or not a big deal – you’re not alone. According to a big study by the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), it seems that a lot of women assume vaping isn’t a big deal and continue vaping during pregnancy. Some women stop smoking regular cigarettes during pregnancy and start vaping because they think e-cigarettes are safe and will help them quit smoking. So these women are trying to be healthier and take care of themselves and their babies. Unfortunately, the idea that vaping is a healthier alternative to cigarettes is a misconception.

So let’s look at some common questions about vaping and sort out fact from fiction. This way, you can make informed decisions about what’s best for you and your baby.

What are e-cigarettes? Electronic cigarettes can come in a lot of different forms. But no matter the specifics, the general idea is the same: there is a liquid that contains nicotine, flavorings, and some other chemicals, and there is a battery-powered part that heats that liquid into a vapor that the user breathes in.

Do vape pods have nicotine? Yes. JUUL pods and e-cigarettes don’t have tobacco, but they do have nicotine.

Is nicotine safe for pregnancy? According to the CDC, nicotine is a danger during pregnancy. Nicotine can damage a baby’s developing brain and lungs. Not only is nicotine not safe for a developing baby, but it’s also not safe for the woman either. Nicotine is known to be highly addictive. It increases blood pressure and heart rate and narrows the arteries, putting users at a greater risk for heart attacks. Nicotine can lower immune response, making you more likely to get sick or making it more difficult for you to fight sickness. It can cause gastrointestinal problems and is believed to put users at higher risk for cancer and make cancers more likely to be fatal.

So no, nicotine isn’t safe for people who are pregnant – or for people who aren’t pregnant.

What other chemicals are in vape liquid? Vape juices contain a variety of different chemicals.

Some of those include:

Formaldehyde – can cause irregular heartbeats and loss of red blood cells
Acetaldehyde – has been associated with the risk of cancer
Acetone – it’s what you use to take off nail polish or gel nails – associated with headache, low blood pressure, coma
Butanol – a solvent – butanol poisoning can cause vomiting and unconsciousness
Propylene glycol – it’s in antifreeze, paint solvent, fog machines
Acrolein – a weed killer which causes irreversible lung damage
Benzene – a compound found in car exhaust
Diacetyl – the chemical that causes what’s known as “popcorn lung”

Can vaping help you stop smoking? There’s really no evidence that vaping helps people stop smoking. Consuming nicotine continues the nicotine addiction and continues the health risks associated with nicotine. There are other ways to help you stop smoking that have proven effective — individual, group, or telephone counseling and some FDA-approved medications. If you smoke cigarettes and want to stop, talk to your healthcare provider about healthy ways to stop smoking.

If you quit smoking or vaping cold turkey, will your baby have withdrawals? No. Medical professionals do not see nicotine withdrawals in babies as they do with drugs like heroin. There is also no indication that a mother’s withdrawals from nicotine hurt the baby in any way. Stopping cold turkey is healthier for the baby than the continued use of nicotine.

Does second-hand vape affect a person the same way second-hand smoke does? Yes. Breathing in the vapors from e-cigarettes exposes the mother and baby to nicotine and all the chemicals in the juice.

What problems can nicotine/vaping cause during pregnancy? Because vape liquids contain nicotine, any problems associated with nicotine use during pregnancy are also associated with vaping during pregnancy. If you vape, you’re more likely for any of these things to happen:

Ectopic pregnancy – when the fertilized egg grows in the wrong place, not in the uterus

Miscarriage – though miscarriage can happen for many reasons and often isn’t the related to any choices the mother makes, smoking/vaping during pregnancy can increase the risk of a miscarriage

Premature delivery – smoking/nicotine use makes it more likely for a baby to be born prematurely, which increases the chance of a baby’s stay in the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU)

Low birth weight – nicotine use during pregnancy has been associated with lower birth weights, which could result in complications for the baby

Birth defects – related to improper lung and brain development resulting from the exposure to nicotine and other chemicals

Vaping is not safe or healthy at any time, but it especially isn’t safe during pregnancy. E-cigarettes or vape pens are not a healthy tool to stop smoking cigarettes. Any nicotine use during pregnancy is not good for a mother or a baby.

If you smoke or vape and you want to stop, call your healthcare provider and ask for resources to help you quit. If you don’t have a healthcare provider yet, call us and we’ll connect you to the resources you need. The idea of quitting a habit like smoking or vaping can be overwhelming and intimidating, but you don’t have to do this alone. We’re here to support you.

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How Does Abortion End My Pregnancy?

May 29, 2026

If you’ve recently learned you are pregnant unexpectedly, we understand how overwhelming this might feel right now. If you're considering abortion as an option, taking time to understand how the process works is important so you can make an informed decision. Collage is here to help provide you with confidential support and abortion information at no cost. We offer a safe space, free of judgment, where you can think calmly about your options, receive lab-quality pregnancy testing, and get a complimentary ultrasound so you can get the facts around your pregnancy and learn what options are available to you. Schedule your free appointment today. Medical Abortion Medical abortion, also known as the abortion pill, ends a pregnancy by using two drugs taken at different times. The first pill, mifepristone, works by blocking progesterone and causes the embryo’s death. The second drug, called misoprostol, is usually taken a day or two after and causes the uterus to contract, expelling the pregnancy tissue through cramping and bleeding. Common side effects can include bleeding and cramping, bleeding with blood clots, and a low-grade fever. Medical abortion is only approved through ten weeks of gestation by the FDA . Follow-up care is typically recommended after a medical abortion to make sure the process is complete. Surgical Abortion Surgical abortion terminates a pregnancy in a clinic or medical setting and involves removing pregnancy tissue from the uterus through a suction device or a tool called a curette. This can also be called dilation and evacuation or dilation and curettage . Common side effects of surgical abortions are bleeding and cramps. You may also have a late or early period as your uterus has to build a new lining after the procedure. What Are The Risks Of Abortion? Medical and surgical abortion both have possible risks that you should be aware of. Some women may also experience emotional responses afterward. Complications that can arise from abortion are: Infection. Scar tissue on the uterine wall, known as Asherman's syndrome . Heavy bleeding that may not stop. Diarrhea and digestive pain. An incomplete abortion. Confirm Your Pregnancy With An Ultrasound Before making a pregnancy decision, it is important to verify your pregnancy with an ultrasound. An ultrasound provides important medical details such as how far along you are, the location of the pregnancy, and whether a heartbeat is detected. These details are important since the abortion pill is not FDA-approved for over ten weeks, and it also rules out ectopic pregnancy, which requires urgent medical attention. As many as 26% of all pregnancies end in a miscarriage, and you can still get a positive pregnancy test result for days or weeks after a miscarriage because it takes time for hCG to leave the body. An ultrasound will confirm whether or not you have miscarried. We provide no-cost pregnancy services at our center, including limited OB ultrasounds, so you can get informed about your pregnancy and options. Get Pregnancy Support at College If you're considering your next step after learning you are unexpectedly pregnant, we are here to give you a safe place to ask questions and learn more about your options. Collage provides confidential appointments and no-cost pregnancy services, including medical-grade pregnancy testing, ultrasounds, and STD testing . You don’t have to figure this out alone. We are here to listen. Schedule your free confidential appointment to learn more about your options. Collage does not provide or refer for abortions; however, we do offer pre-abortion screening through our no-cost services.

What Are the Side Effects of the Abortion Pill?

April 21, 2026

Facing an unexpected pregnancy brings up a lot of questions, and it makes complete sense that you want to understand every option before deciding anything. If you're considering the abortion pill, knowing what it actually involves, including its side effects, is an important part of making a decision based on the facts. You don't have to sort through this alone. Schedule a no-cost appointment with Collage today to get your questions answered. How the Abortion Pill Works The abortion pill uses two drugs taken in sequence. The first, mifepristone, blocks progesterone, a hormone that supports the growth and development of the pregnancy. Without it, the pregnancy detaches from the uterine lining. The second drug, misoprostol, is typically taken at home and causes the uterus to contract and expel the pregnancy tissue. Heavy bleeding and cramping will be part of this process, and some women have described the pain as more severe than they anticipated. Side Effects to Know Beyond bleeding and cramping, the abortion pill can also cause these side effects : Upset stomach Vomiting Diarrhea Headache Fever Chills These side effects vary from woman to woman, which is one reason having a healthcare provider involved matters. Without medical oversight, it can be difficult to know what's within the range of normal and what requires immediate attention. Your personal health history also plays a role in how your body responds. Speaking with a medical professional before proceeding is an important step in protecting your well-being. Why an Ultrasound Matters First Before considering any pregnancy option, an ultrasound provides information that a pregnancy test simply cannot. It can confirm whether the pregnancy is progressing, rule out an ectopic pregnancy , and tell you how far along you are. The FDA approves the abortion pill only through 10 weeks gestation, making that last detail a critical piece of information for your safety. We're Here for You Whatever you're feeling right now, there’s no pressure here. At Collage, we genuinely care about you and want to make sure you have everything you need to make a sound decision. We offer lab-quality pregnancy testing and limited obstetrical ultrasounds, and our team is ready to talk through all your options, parenting, adoption, and abortion, in a warm, supportive environment. Schedule your no-cost appointment today. We're so glad you reached out. Collage does not provide or refer for abortions; however, we do offer pre-abortion screening through our no-cost services. All abortion information in this blog is based on accurate information at the time of writing.

3 Things to Know if You Are Considering Mail-Order Abortion

March 26, 2026

Facing an unexpected pregnancy can bring a lot of emotions, and often, a sense of urgency to make a decision quickly. You may have seen options online to order abortion pills by mail and wondered if it’s a simple solution. Before making a decision, it’s important to understand how this option could affect your health and what steps you can take to make a fully informed decision. 1. Your Health Should Always Come First Mail-order abortion often skips important medical safeguards. In many cases, there is no in-person evaluation before receiving the drugs. That means key health factors, such as your medical history and potential risks, will not be fully considered. There can also be uncertainty about the source of the drugs, including how they were handled, stored, or dosed. In fact, the FDA does not recommend this option because the drugs’ quality, safety, and effectiveness cannot be guaranteed. Taking time to understand your health first is a smart and proactive way to protect yourself. 2. You Need Clear Answers About Your Pregnancy A pregnancy test alone doesn’t give you the full picture. Before considering abortion, it’s important to confirm details about your pregnancy through an ultrasound. An ultrasound can tell you: How far along are you? Whether the pregnancy is developing (or if you’ve miscarried ) Where the pregnancy is located These details matter more than you might think. Abortion pills are FDA-approved only through 10 weeks of gestation, and without accurate dating, it’s possible to miscalculate how far along you are. An ultrasound can also detect an ectopic pregnancy , which occurs outside the uterus and requires immediate medical attention. Abortion pills will not treat this condition. What’s more, if you’ve experienced a miscarriage, you may require medical follow-up to prevent complications. Getting these details first helps ensure your safety. We offer limited OB ultrasounds following positive lab-quality pregnancy testing with us. 3. It’s Important to Understand the Process and Risks Mail-order abortion may sound straightforward, but it’s important to know what it may actually involve. The process includes significant cramping and bleeding as the body expels the pregnancy, with some women describing the pain as being unexpectedly severe . Other side effects can include: Nausea or vomiting Fever or chills Diarrhea Headaches There are also potential risks , such as heavy bleeding, infection, or an incomplete abortion that may require additional medical care. Without in-person support, it can be difficult to know what’s expected and when something may need medical attention. You Don’t Have to Figure This Out Alone When everything feels overwhelming, it can help to take a moment to evaluate your next steps and get the information you need. At Collage, we provide no-cost, confidential services so you can ask questions, gather accurate information, and explore your options at your own pace in a one-on-one setting. Schedule your appointment today. Collage does not provide or refer for abortions; however, we do offer pre-abortion screening through our no-cost services. All abortion information sourced in this blog is based on accurate information at the time of writing.