Dangers of Smoking During Pregnancy
Potential Harm to Baby When a Pregnant Woman Smokes
Sep 20, 2008
Refusing to quit smoking while pregnant is one of the most dangerous choices a pregnant woman can make. Smoking during pregnancy puts a baby at risk of a number of health problems. There are an overwhelming number of reasons why women should stop smoking the moment they find out they are pregnant.
High Risk of Miscarriage
The American Lung Association states that women who smoke while pregnant have a greater risk of having a miscarriage than women who quit. Smoking literally could kill an unborn child. There is also a higher risk of stillbirth among women who smoke throughout pregnancy.
Low Birth Weight
Babies born to mothers who smoke are at a higher risk of being born weighing little enough to be considered low birth weight babies. The chemicals in cigarette smoke are able to cross the placenta into the baby's blood stream, stunting growth and making it difficult for the fetus to get the nutrition it needs to grow and develop properly.
Babies born not weighing as much as they should often have more health problems than average size babies.
Premature Labor and Delivery
Women who smoke throughout pregnancy are at a higher risk of having their babies too early. Premature labor and delivery can be very harmful to a baby. The earlier a baby is born the less likely it is that the baby's lung will be developed enough for the infant to be able to breathe on its own without assistance.
Depending on the baby's overall health and lung maturity some babies will be saved after spending a great deal of time in the hospital with much medical intervention. Other babies will fall victim to the many complications of being born too early and will die.
Problems with Placenta
Discovery Health tells of the risk of placental problems in women who smoke during pregnancy. Placenta previa (placenta is too low in the uterus) and placenta abruptia (placenta separates from the uterus before a baby is born) are conditions that seem to occur more often in women who smoke while pregnant. Both are dangerous to mother and baby and could result in the death of one or both.
Increased Risk of Birth Defects
Babies born to mothers who smoke in pregnancy are at higher risk of developing a cleft palate or cleft lip. Babies are also at a higher risk of developing cerebral palsy, mental retardation and/or learning disabilities.
Although the nicotine addiction is powerful and cravings may be intense, it is very important that expectant mothers quit smoking as soon as they find out they are pregnant. They should seek support and advice from others but should not continue the dangerous habit. The risk to their child is too high not to quit and the results of choosing to smoke throughout pregnancy are potentially devastating.
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