Cigarette smoke contains a multitude of chemicals
which are hazardous to both mother and her fetus.
When the mother smokes during pregnancy, the cigarette
smoke reaches the fetus. From the mother's blood stream,
these toxins travel through the placenta and enter
the unborn baby's circulation. Chemicals reduce the
flow of oxygen to the fetus.
A baby born to a smoking mother has a greater chance
of being born small, underdeveloped and sickly.
Baby may be born early before her lungs mature and
may have difficulty breathing. The chief toxins, carbon
monoxide and nicotine are responsible for the increase
in maternal heartbeat and blood pressure. The poisons
constrict the blood vessels thereby preventing baby
from receiving vital nutrients which is important
for her growth and development. It is just not good
for baby to be around polluted air.
A smoking pregnant lady increases her risk
of:
• Having a child with birth defects
• Miscarriage
• Developing placental problems which is her
baby's lifeline
• Preterm birth which in turn puts her baby
at risk of having a low birth weight
• Having a low birth weight baby i.e. baby will
develop health issues such as respiratory problems
• Having a baby with behavioral issues
• Stillbirth
• Having a baby die of SIDS or sudden infant
death syndrome after birth
• Premature rupture of membranes, congenital
abnormality, hemorrhage in the early or later part
of labor or after delivery
Did you know..
• Being a smoker triples the risk of SIDS
• Fetal growth can also be affected by second-hand
smoke - if the woman does not smoke but her partner
does baby is still exposed
• Smoking during pregnancy increases your chances
of miscarrying by about 33%.
• Tobacco in other forms such as cigars, snuff
or pipe tobacco is just as harmful.
• Nicotine
causes the placenta to under-perform thereby restricting
oxygen and nutrients from reaching the fetus
• Smoking during pregnancy interferes with eating
right in the mother and also directly impacts baby's
growth and development
• Labor with a smaller baby is no easier or
shorter than labor with a bigger sized baby
• Underweight babies cope less well under the
pressure of labor
• Smoking after the 4th month or in the 2nd
trimester is more likely to result in prematurity
It is best to give up smoking altogether before you
plan for a baby but even if you get pregnant before
giving up the habit, it is never too late. Quitting
not only improves your chances for a healthier life
but also reduces your baby's exposure to dangerous
chemicals (even if done at a later stage of pregnancy).
Giving up this addiction can be difficult so get some
professional help before using products such as patches
and gum because of the possible risk associated with
using them during pregnancy.
Here is the punch:
Only you can decide to quit and no one can make give
you up smoking during pregnancy. But your baby! You
(and your partner) choose for your child since your
baby cannot make the choice.
