Cigarette smoking has negative effects on fertility and pregnancy. Of all the “easier said than done” things in the entire world, smoking might be the best example. But quitting does make a significant difference. If you smoke or consume tobacco and have been meaning to stop, now is the absolute best time for you to start working on quitting.
How smoking affects fertility
The American Society for Reproductive Medicine reports that infertility rates in both male and female smokers are about twice what they are in non-smokers who are trying to conceive. Cigarette smoke can damage and killeggs. It can also decrease sperm quality, sperm count, and sperm motility (which is sperm’s ability to move until it reaches the egg).
Women who smoke may go through menopause one to four years earlier than women who don’t. The sperm of men who smoke is far less likely to fertilize eggs. Smoking can also make IVF (in vitro fertilization) treatments for infertility less effective.
How smoking affects pregnancy
Smoking during pregnancy can lead to serious health problems for a mother and her developing baby. Some risks of smoking during pregnancy include:
- Increased fetal heart rate
- Lower amounts of oxygen
- Placental problems
- Increased chances of miscarriage
- Stillbirth
- Premature birth
- Low birth rate
- An increased risk of baby respiratory problems
- A higher risk of birth defects
- An increased rate of SIDS
Your benefits
ScanSource employees and eligible dependents have access to a few different programs and services that can help with quitting smoking or using other tobacco products.
If you’re enrolled in a Blue Cross Blue Shield of South Carolina or Kaiser medical plan, you may receive coverage for different smoking cessation services. To learn more about your benefits, you can give Blue Cross Blue Shield of South Carolina or Kaiser a call by calling the number on the back of your insurance card.
You also have access to WellRight. WellRight is a ScanSource wellness program that allows you to manage your health and wellness conveniently through a mobile app. It consists of health assessment, company-wide and personal health challenges, and participation incentives.
WellRight coaches can help you along your quitting journey, and you may even be able to earn rewards for quitting.
Activate your account
To set up your WellRight account:
- Visit scansource.wellright.com and select “Register.”
- Complete the registration form using your legal name.
- Check your email and select the verification link.
- Bookmark the URL and log in to start participating.
You can also download the WellRight mobile app. It’s available in the iOS App Store and Google Play.
