Time lapse photography has shown that the embryos of women who smoke grow more slowly than those from non-smokers. The pictures taken of the smoker’s embryos were shown to be a couple of hours behind the non-smoker’s embryos at all stages of development. Sometimes the slower embryos were up to 8 hours behind the healthier embryos. They were observed in the laboratory of an IVF clinic and show that the damage from smoking has been done even before these embryos are developing in the womb.
The research has ignited fears that the embryos of smokers might not implant but they cannot yet be certain about exactly what effects smoking has on the development of the embryo and the chances of successful IVF treatment.
It has always been known for some time that smoking makes it more difficult to become pregnant. The main message is to quit smoking if you are trying for a baby and definitely do not smoke while pregnant.