The Effects of Tobacco During Pregnancy
The U.S. Surgeon General has identified smoking as the most important health habit that can be changed to prevent serious problems during pregnancy.
The Effect of Smoking Tobacco During Pregnancy
Complications from smoking can begin early in pregnancy. Women who smoke are at higher risk for tubal pregnancy or miscarriage. Serious pregnancy outcomes associated with cigarette smoking include stillbirth, prematurity and babies born small for age.
What's wrong with being born early? Aren't small babies easier?
Premature babies have more problems because they are underdeveloped at birth. Being born early can cause bleeding in the brain, difficulty breathing, and makes babies prone to infections. Some premature babies don't survive while others are left with lifelong health problems, like blindness and learning and developmental problems. New studies show that babies small at birth may be at much higher risk to develop problems like diabetes later in life.
More problems for babies of smokers.
Babies whose mother smoked during pregnancy are at higher risk for sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS). Children who experience second hand smoke are also at risk for SIDS, and have more asthma, respiratory and ear infections.
The March of Dimes has more information about the effects of tobacco smoke on your pregnancy and newborn child.
So what can you do?
There are many things you can do. If you are planning a pregnancy, quit before you try to conceive. If you are already pregnant, quit now. Stopping smoking at any time in pregnancy is beneficial, but quitting right from the start is best for you and your baby.