You already know that smoking is not good for you. You probably have tried to quit many times in the past, but it just did not work out. If you are thinking of getting pregnant or are already pregnant, it may be time to revisit why smoking during pregnancy is not a good idea. Knowing that your baby is counting on you may be all the motivation you need to give up the habit for good this time!
Here are 3 reasons why soon-to-be pregnant or expecting mothers should give up smoking:
- Lower Birth Weights
Women who smoke are twice as likely to have children of low birth weights.
Why is this?
Unfortunately, when you smoke, so does your baby. Tobacco smoke contains around 4000 harmful chemicals, such as carbon monoxide, arsenic, nicotine, and formaldehyde! In addition, at least 70 of the chemicals in cigarettes are known to cause cancer.
These chemicals smother and reduce the amount of nutrition and oxygen your baby gets, resulting in less growth in utero and a lower birth weight.
Another reason for low birth weight is that women who smoke increase their chances of having pre-term labor and having a premature infant.
- Increased Risk of SIDS (Sudden Infant Death Syndrome)
SIDS is the name given when an infant less than a year old suddenly dies, usually during sleep. This infant was seemingly healthy.
Although SIDS also occurs in babies of non-smoking mothers and households, there is an increased risk for babies who are exposed to smoke in utero and/or after birth. This risk increases with the number of cigarettes smoked.
Although the causes of SIDS are not fully understood yet, it seems that tobacco smoke may affect the development of the baby’s nervous system. The nervous system includes the brain, where breathing is regulated. Smoking is also linked to sleep apnea (pauses in breathing) in infants.
If you are unable to quit smoking fully during pregnancy, it is recommended that you at least significantly reduce the number of cigarettes you smoke in order to reduce the chances of SIDS.
- Increased Risk of Medical Complications For The Expecting Mother & Baby
Placenta Previa –
The placenta covers part or all of the cervical opening within the uterus in this serious condition. Placenta Previa can result in heavy bleeding, putting the mother at risk of shock or need for blood transfusions. Early labor may also result, and if labor cannot be stopped with medications, an early delivery means potential health complications for the baby.
Placenta Abruptio –
This is another serious condition in which the placenta separates from the wall of the uterus. It can occur after an injury such as a fall, but it also happens more in women who smoke during pregnancy.
In conclusion, it is clear that smoking during pregnancy is not recommended. A few reasons why this is so, have been outlined above. If you have had a hard time quitting, knowing some of the reasons why smoking is not good for your baby may make it easier to stick to your decision to quit. After all, you have one shot to provide the best uterine environment for your child – now is the time to do it!