Smoking has always been considered unhealthy for health. It may cause heart disease as well as cancers. Smoking during pregnancy is more harmful than smoking in routine life. During pregnancy smoking not only harms the mother’s health but also affects the unborn baby.
Cigarette smoke contains nicotine and carbon monoxide and other chemicals that cause cancer, which when inhaled mix in your blood-the only source of supply of nutrients and oxygen to the baby. Nicotine narrows the umbilical artery (the artery supplying blood to the baby from the mother) decreasing the amount of oxygen rich blood reaching the baby. The umbilical artery is narrowed to such an extent that the oxygen supply is almost cut and the baby receives blood rich in carbon monoxide.
Smoking during pregnancy can result in:
- Decreased amount of oxygen in the blood
- Increased heart rate of the baby
- Increased risk of birth defects
- Development of the embryo outside the uterus (ectopic pregnancy)
- Partial or complete separation of the placenta before the baby is born (placental abruption)
- Bleeding in the vagina due to infection or trauma (vaginal bleeding)
- Premature delivery
- Low birth weight baby
- Increased risk of sudden risk death syndrome in the baby (SIDS)
Cleft lip and palate are most commonly seen in children with smoking mothers. Other common developmental defects that can occur in the baby may include:
- Decreased lung size
- Increased risk of having congenital heart defects
- Mental defects, such as short attention span or hyperactivity due to decreased brain functioning
Hence, it is clear that smoking during pregnancy is the foremost cause of birth defects in baby.
Frequent passive smoking increases the chances of stillbirth, low birth weight baby or other pregnancy complications. Baby may develop asthma or some allergies after birth.
There are many programs available for smoking cessation. Females who smoke should always consult the health care provider about such programs.
Smoking cessation can be encouraged by:
- Drinking few caffeinated drinks, such as coffee, as these drinks increase the desire of smoking.
- Avoiding going to places where people are smoking, such as clubs or bars.
- Adopting a new hobby, such as reading books, gardening. This not only relieves tension and keeps the person active but also suppresses your urge to smoke.
- Chewing mint or similar gums.
- Replacing smoking habits with healthy ones.
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The advantages of not smoking are visible the day you quit the habit. As soon as you quit smoking the baby’s heartbeat starts returning to normal. The pregnant woman may have certain withdrawal symptoms, such as headache, difficulty in concentrating, and so on. However, if taken proper care these symptoms start fading soon. The pregnant female should be explained the benefits of quitting smoking, which may prevent relapse of smoking.
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