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Parentpedia
Cigarettes
Hard as it is to quit smoking, it's worth the struggle. It could save your baby's life or in the least, improve his quality of life.
When the mother is a heavy smoker, the risk increases for:
- miscarriage
- placental abruption
- premature rupture of the membranes
- premature birth
- low birth weights
- certain birth defects in the baby
- the baby developing chronic respiratory problems like asthma
According to the "Mayo Clinic's Guide to a Healthy Pregnancy", this happens because of the thousands of chemicals found in a cigarette get passed on to the fetus.
Even if you can't quit early on, studies show that dropping the habit by the 16-week mark can avert many complications. If you can't reach that mark, try your best to quit by the end of your pregnancy. And if you can't quit on your own, there's no better time to get help.
Nicotine's Effects
Nicotine causes spasms in the arteries, including the ones that feed blood to the placenta. The spasms diminish the amount of oxygen the baby receives and interfere with the delivery of nutrients. Such disruptions can lead to underweight babies.
Carbon Monoxide's Effects
Fetuses carrying extra carbon monoxide and starved for oxygen may produce extra red blood cells. Rarely, the blood becomes too thick and it can have difficulty reaching the vital organs. The results can be fatal. This risk is prevalent only in heavy smokers.
Problems in the Placenta
Smoking contributes to vascular disease, which restricts blood flow to the placenta. Blood vessels become calcified and obstructed. The chances of placental abruption — in which the placenta separates from the uterine wall — are greater for smokers.
The risks of placental problems increases 40% with each pack a mother smokes.
Second-Hand Smoke
Studies show that when pregnant women are exposed to second-hand smoke, their babies:
- are more like to be born at a lower birthweight
- have a higher risk of sidden infant death syndrome (SIDS)
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