Pregnancy and Smoking

Having a baby is such an exciting event, but this marvelous experience can be ruined for mothers who choose to smoke during pregnancy. The March of Dimes reports that many infants born to mothers who smoke during the gestation period have a great possibility of developing severe health conditions such as cerebral palsy, learning difficulties, and mental retardation.

Still, in the United States, almost ten percent of women report continuing to smoke during pregnancy. If these women were able to stop smoking for the nine month period before delivery, it would result in eleven percent fewer stillbirths. It would also reduce the number of newborn deaths by five percent. These are numbers which should inspire all women in the early stages of pregnancy to consider giving up their cigarettes.

Cigarettes made with tobacco have as many as 2,500 different chemicals. Some of these have been proven harmful to a developing fetus while others are suspect. Researchers know that both nicotine and carbon monoxide negatively impact a baby’s development and health. Women who smoke almost double their risk of delivering a baby with a below average weight and slow growth rate. Women who choose to quit smoking before their sixth month of pregnancy, however, improve their odds of having a baby of normal weight to that of a non-smoker.

Besides the effect of the health of the fetus, smoking almost doubles the likelihood of difficulties with the placenta. These include placenta previa, where the placenta rides so low that it obscures portions of the channel into the uterus, and placental abruption, where the placenta actually begins to detach from the wall of the uterus. Both of these are serious health conditions for both mother and infant and can lead to premature birth and hemorrhaging.

Smoking can also weaken the vessels in the membrane of the sac holding the baby, causing it to break before time for delivery. When the sac breaks, labor occurs within days. This usually results in a premature birth and can lead to a poor start in life for the new infant. Even being around others who smoke is not for pregnant women.

Because smoking is so dangerous during pregnancy, women should seriously consider quitting during this period. This will ensure that your child will be able to thank you someday!