Smoking in Pregnancy Affects the Baby

Smoking and pregnancy do not go together because expectant mothers pass the nicotine and carbon monoxide drawn from cigarettes on to the baby through the placenta. Nicotine and carbon monoxide are both poisons, and they limit the absorption of nutrients and oxygen by the fetus during this vital time in his life. These chemicals are found in the amniotic fluid very early in pregnancy. Exposure to cigarettes and second hand smoke can lead to these problems with your baby:

•  Premature birth

•  Underdeveloped lungs

•  Poor immunities

•  Low birth weight

•  An increased risk of SIDS

Studies have

showed

the long-term effects on children of women that smoke:

•  More incidences of middle-ear infections as your child grows

•  More susceptible to colds and coughs, bronchitis, pneumonia, and other lung related illnesses

•  Slowed learning

•  Increased chance of developing of ADHD

•  Ashma as your child grows

•  Cutting Back Rather Than Quitting Smoking

•  The less nicotine and carbon monoxide you introduce into your body, the better the odds that you will give birth to a healthy baby. The problem with just cutting back or switching to a low-tar cigarette instead of quitting is people tend to inhale more deeply or take more puffs when they are put on a limit. This can lead to you inhaling just as much nicotine out of fewer cigarettes.