What are the consequences of smoking during pregnancy?
Smoking during pregnancy increases the risk of:
Effects on the Mother During Pregnancy
Complications during pregnancy and delivery increase the health risk for both the mother and the baby. The placenta may detach itself prematurely from the uterus (abruptio placenta). The placenta may also block the cervix, the ?exit door? for the baby (placenta previa). These two pregnancy complications associated with smoking can lead to heavy bleeding and may result in caesarean delivery. Smoking during pregnancy may also provoke a miscarriage.
Effects on the Baby Before Birth
Smoking has a direct effect on the growth of the fetus. Babies born to women who smoke are more likely to have a low birth weight. This is due to the fact that less oxygen is carried by the mother?s blood to the fetus. Smoking during pregnancy can double the risk that the baby’s birth weight will be less than 2500 grams (5lbs 5oz). Low birth weight babies are less likely to be healthy and have increased risks of illness and death during birth and infancy.
Effects on the Baby After Birth
Breastfeeding helps to protect the baby against infections and provides nutritional benefits. Smoking can lower both the quantity and quality of breast milk. Nicotine and other toxic chemicals are passed from the breast milk of smoking mothers directly to their babies.
Infants of smoking mothers have 5 times the risk of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS) than infants of non-smoking mothers. Paternal smoking also increases the risk of SIDS.
Quitting smoking has health benefits both for smokers and the baby. A parent who smokes is exposing his or her baby to all of the negative health effects of secondhand smoke. Quitting smoking will benefit both the baby and the smokers.