Smoking and Pregnancy

Smoking and Pregnancy

For your baby’s health

By Nisha Danny

Planning to have a baby? Quit smoking before it is too late. It may be hard for women who have been smoking for many years, but quitting is essential to have a healthy full term baby. Complications of pregnancy for a smoking mother include low birth weight babies, premature labor, miscarriage, breathing problems in the infant and a much complicated pregnancy.

The Dangers

Carbon monoxide from cigarette smoke can enter the blood stream and reduce the oxygen supply to the developing fetus. The chemicals entering the blood stream can increase heart rate. The oxygen supply is reduced for few seconds with every cigarette smoked. Besides these complications, the chemicals are highly carcinogenic. According to the Canadian Psychiatric Association Journal, children born to smoking mothers are more likely to suffer from ADHD.

Complications

Placental complications are also common among pregnant smoking women. Placental abruption is when the placenta separates from the lining of the uterus. This can deprive the fetus of nutrients and oxygen causing sudden bleeding, putting the mother and baby at risk. This is a complication most commonly occurring towards the end of pregnancy in the third trimester.

Smoking mothers are more likely to have an ectopic pregnancy. In such a case, the embryo will be implanted outside the uterine cavity. Such a pregnancy will be diagnosed very early and pregnancy will be terminated surgically or by using medications to save the life of the mother.

Consequences for the Child

Birth defects are common in a baby born to a smoking mother. One most common birth defect is cleft palate, most commonly known as cleft lip. Further, babies born to smoking mothers have a 30% chance of decreased lung function. Complications can also occur in the baby after birth. Some of these can be even life threatening.
Babies born to smoking mothers often ends up having low birth weight. Such children tend to be ill more often with more problems of asthma, lung problems and other diseases. Also, such children end up as slow learners at school.

Tips to quit smoking for pregnant women

• Decide for yourself that you are going to quit. Record it on your cell phone and use it as a constant reminder.
• Talk to your health care provider. Seek suggestions on using nicotine patch, nasal sprays and about other ways to quit smoking.
• Avoid common smoking areas and other such social gatherings.
• Avoid meeting anyone who has the habit of smoking.
• Stop buying cigarettes or cut down the number of cigarettes you buy.
• Learn more about smoking cessation programs in your area.