| One of the most important things an expecting mother | | | | Mothers-to-be want a healthy baby. Smoking during |
| can do for her unborn child is to quit smoking. | | | | pregnancy is dangerous and quitting should be top |
| Research has shown that smoking during pregnancy | | | | priority. There are many options available to the |
| can have significant negative effects on the | | | | average smoker that can help them kick the habit for |
| developing fetus. Cigarette tobacco contains | | | | good. However, a pregnant woman is not considered |
| approximately 2,500 chemicals that could harm an | | | | an average person, and some medications or methods |
| unborn baby, with nicotine, tar, and carbon monoxide | | | | are not recommended. |
| being the most harmful. | | | | Many doctors still prescribe the anti-smoking patch, |
| Harmful effects on the developing fetus | | | | gum, or spray to a pregnant woman, even though |
| Smoking has been linked to various pregnancy | | | | these products release nicotine into the body. As |
| complications. Women who smoke have a greater | | | | nicotine is only one of the many toxic chemicals found |
| chance of having an ectopic pregnancy, whereby the | | | | in cigarettes, this method is thought to be safer than |
| embryo becomes implanted in the fallopian tube or any | | | | smoking. Gums and sprays are safer than the patch |
| other abnormal place outside the uterus. In most cases, | | | | as the dose of nicotine they provide is smaller than |
| this type of pregnancy does not come to full term. A | | | | that delivered by the patch. It is not yet known how |
| surgical procedure or drug treatment is usually | | | | nicotine can influence a growing fetus, or how it |
| recommended in order to protect the woman's life. | | | | contributes to premature birth, low birth weight and/or |
| When a woman smokes during her pregnancy, there | | | | other problems. If you are having trouble quitting |
| is a greater chance of complications with the placenta. | | | | smoking during pregnancy, speak to your doctor |
| The mother can either experience placenta previa, in | | | | before trying a nicotine replacement method. |
| which case the placenta becomes attached too low in | | | | Medications vs Natural Approach |
| the uterus and blocks a part of or the entire cervix, or | | | | There are medications such as bupropion (Zyban) on |
| a placental abruption, whereby the placenta detaches | | | | the market that are said to help smokers quit. The |
| itself from the uterine wall. When either one of these | | | | drug has been deemed safe and effective for quitting |
| problems occurs, the resulting delivery is often | | | | smoking, but its effects on pregnant women have not |
| life-threatening for both mother and child. | | | | been conclusive. However, researchers do know that |
| - Many pregnant women who smoke experience | | | | bupropion can be passed on to a baby through breast |
| heavy vaginal bleeding, a miscarriage, and sometimes | | | | milk, thus it is not recommended for nursing mothers. |
| stillbirth. | | | | Aside from the use of patches and drugs, the practice |
| - Smoking during pregnancy doubles the risk of | | | | of hypnosis and acupuncture are popular. Both are |
| delivering a baby with a low birth weight or having a | | | | safe and drug-free, and have no negative effects on |
| pre-term baby; it could also be born with certain birth | | | | the fetus. Practitioners of these approaches claim that |
| defects, such as a cleft lip or cleft palate. | | | | the sessions can calm cravings, but overall success |
| - It has been proven that many babies exposed to | | | | depends on the level of personal motivation, the |
| smoking before birth will experience learning and | | | | strength of the support system, and the number of |
| behavioral problems, such as hyperactivity and | | | | cigarettes smoked. |
| shortened attention span, and may have respiratory | | | | Cold Turkey Method |
| issues, such as asthma. | | | | One last method to stop smoking during pregnancy is |
| Harmful effects on the child after birth | | | | to quit cold turkey. There is no sustained evidence that |
| The incidence of sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS) | | | | the stress incurred by quitting smoking harms the fetus. |
| is increased in babies who are born to smoking | | | | This method is considered one of the safest. Doctors |
| mothers. If your child is exposed to cigarette smoke | | | | claim that as long as the mother-to-be is smoke-free |
| after birth, he or she may experience frequent ear | | | | by the time she is 14-weeks along, then the baby will |
| infections, bouts of tonsillitis, and respiratory problems. | | | | most likely be unharmed. |
| Smoking during pregnancy affects a mother's breast | | | | Smoking during pregnancy is a serious matter and |
| milk. Not only can it reduce a mother's supply, but the | | | | quitting can be very difficult. The best approach is to |
| harmful chemicals can also be passed to the nursing | | | | take one day at a time, and stay focussed on the |
| infant, who can develop diarrhea, nausea, cramping, | | | | worthy goal. Keep reminding yourself that you are |
| and vomiting from the effects. Being constantly | | | | doing this not only for yourself, but for the health and |
| exposed to cigarette smoke increases a child's | | | | well-being of your baby. Regardless of which method |
| chances of becoming asthmatic. For children who are | | | | you choose in order to quit, it is important to talk to |
| already afflicted with asthma, continuous exposure to | | | | your doctor, who will not only encourage you but may |
| smoke often worsens their condition. | | | | also provide you with counseling resources. |
| How to Quit Safely | | | | |