Mothers in Finland report smoking during antenatal check-ups, revealing impact on birth weight

According to the latest health report from the national health authorities, approximately 7 percent of mothers reported smoking during their first antenatal check-up. This data is based on responses from midwives.

In 2022, out of 621 women surveyed, 44 identified as smokers during their initial examination related to childbirth. Notably, 15 of these mothers chose not to disclose whether they smoked.

The report also revealed a significant difference in average birth weight between the two groups. The average birth weight of babies born to mothers who identified as smokers was 3,532 grams. In contrast, the average for babies born to non-smokers was 3,664 grams. This indicates that babies of mothers who smoked weighed, on average, 121 grams, or 3.3 percent, less than those of mothers who did not smoke.

The detailed findings and further insights can be accessed in the full health announcement from the national health office.