| Smoking and pregnancy equals problems. Smoking | | | | How will smoking affect actual pregnancy? - Smoking |
| and pregnancy are two words that definitely do not | | | | will without a doubt affect actual pregnancy and not |
| and should not belong together. A woman who | | | | just the unborn child. Smoking causes increased heart |
| smokes during pregnancy exposes herself and her | | | | rate, hypertension and nervous system suppression, |
| unborn child to immense health risks. This is obvious if | | | | which not only effects the baby but can also increase |
| you just take into consideration the fact that cigarette | | | | the risk of developing complications for the mother, of |
| smoke contains more than 2000 component, which | | | | which chest infections and blood clotting disorders are |
| includes very harmful nicotine, carbon monoxide and | | | | a common concern. |
| cyanide. The majority of these substances is | | | | Other risks - Smoking during pregnancy also increases |
| absorbed by the placenta and affects the baby | | | | the risk of ectopic pregnancy, miscarriages, stillbirths, |
| without the mother even noticing a thing. | | | | pre-mature births, placenta malformations, morning |
| Fetal growth restrictions - The most concerning effect | | | | sickness often requiring hospitalization, bleeding, |
| of smoking during pregnancy is probably that on fetal | | | | polyhydramnios, thrush and urinary tract infections |
| growth. A new born of a woman who smokes | | | | including Candida. |
| weighs approximately 170 to 200 grams lighter when | | | | Link between smoking and Sudden Infant Death |
| compared to the average weight of non-smokers' | | | | Syndrome - Researchers have found solid proof of |
| baby. This can be attributed to the narrowing of | | | | the link between smoking during pregnancy and an |
| oxygen and nutrients transporting blood vessels, which | | | | increased risk of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome. |
| leads to low birth weight and general ill health tendency | | | | Evidence also suggests an increase in Sudden Infant |
| for the rest of the it's life. The amount of cigarettes a | | | | Death Syndrome if the father smokes while the |
| woman smokes has a direct impact on the level of | | | | mother is pregnant. Preferably both parents-to-be |
| weight reduction. | | | | should quit smoking during pregnancy. Here the rule will |
| Research findings - Researchers have found proof | | | | apply again- the more smokes equals the more the |
| that smoking during pregnancy increases the risk of | | | | risk of SIDS. |
| genetic abnormalities including cleft lip or palate, bowel, | | | | After birth tips - It's absolutely imperative to keep your |
| eyes, ears or spinal cord malformations or problems | | | | baby in a smoke-free environment at all times, no |
| and last but definitely not least respiratory problems in | | | | matter how practically impossible it may seem. Stop |
| the form of Asthma. Placenta abnormalities are also | | | | friends, family or even strangers from smoking in your |
| more common. It's imperative to keep in mind that the | | | | home, vehicle or any other area near the baby. |
| effect of smoking goes way beyond birth. For | | | | Facts on second hand smoke - Second hand smoke |
| example an increased risk of respiratory problem | | | | also known as passive smoke or environmental |
| development as previously mentioned, during toddler or | | | | tobacco smoke comprises of burning cigarette smoke |
| teenage years. The health benefits of quitting your | | | | and exhaled smoker smoke. Medical as well as |
| much loved smokes are undoubtedly immense, this is | | | | scientific proof exists to support the fact that the |
| particularly true and of great significance for pregnant | | | | smoke burning-off a cigarette or cigar end actually |
| women. | | | | contains more harmful substances when compared to |
| Putting the packet down - permanently will of course | | | | the first-hand smoke inhaled by the smoker. Should |
| be the preferred choice but we all know quitting | | | | you be one of those unlucky non-smokers who are |
| flat-out is easier said than done. Approximately 20 per | | | | regularly exposed to second-hand smoke, you will |
| cent of pregnant women smoke and over 50 per cent | | | | increase your and your new born child's chance of |
| of the 20 percent smoke more than 10 cigarettes per | | | | developing repertory cancer, heart disease, |
| day. An unbelievable four per cent of pregnant women | | | | emphysema, allergies, asthma, and other health |
| manage to quit smoking within the first trimester of | | | | problems, significantly. Babies exposed to second-hand |
| pregnancy. Its common knowledge that if you are able | | | | smoke also have a higher risk of developing reduced |
| to quit smoking in the first trimester of pregnancy, that | | | | lung capacity. |
| your chances of having a normal sized baby at birth | | | | There is definitely a lengthy list of effects on smoking |
| increases almost to a 100 per cent. This does, | | | | while pregnant and so many different variations of |
| however, not mean that any level of smoking is safe | | | | ways that smoking during pregnancy can affect the |
| or encouraged. Quitting always comes highly | | | | mother and the fetus. Trying to quit smoking isn't an |
| recommended. Reducing the amount of cigarettes you | | | | option at this point, it is a must. There is too much at |
| nip will still result in exposure of both you and your child | | | | risk for your own health and for your soon to be new |
| to harmful substances, just to a lesser degree. If you | | | | born child. Take advantage of all support groups and |
| find quitting your bad habit completely impossible-keep | | | | programs that are available to gain a fresh healthier |
| one very important piece of advice in mind- "more | | | | way of living. |
| smokes equals more effects on your child". | | | | |