In 1984 the Surgeon General mandated that cigarette packages carry the following warning; "Smoking by pregnant women may result in fetal injury, premature birth and low birthweight." When a woman finds out that she is pregnant the first thing she should do is stop smoking. Much research has been done on women who are pregnant and smoke. It is detrimental to the mother's health and it will significantly compromise the unborn baby's health as well.
Spontaneous Abortion
Fetal death is much higher in women who smoke. The incidence of spontaneous abortion or death in the uterus in women who smoke is 35 percent higher than in women who don't smoke, according to "Williams Obstetrics, 22nd Edition." The incidence is the same for both white and African-American women. Also the rate of stillbirth or death soon after birth is higher.
Low Birth Weight
Because the nicotine in cigarettes has a constricting effect on the blood vessels of the placenta, less oxygen can get to the developing baby, according to the 2002 book "1000 Questions About Your Pregnancy." Also the baby is exposed to an increase in carbon monoxide. Placental blood vessel constriction also limits the amount of nutrition the baby gets. All of these things contribute to a baby who is small for gestational age or has a low birth weight. Low birth-weight babies can have neurological impairments and developmental delays, according to "Williams Obstetrics, 22nd Edition."
Attention Deficit Disorder and Behavioral and Learning Problems
Smoking can also have long term effects on the baby. Smoking has been associated with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder and children of smokers can develop behavioral and learning problems, according to "Williams Obstetrics, 22nd Edition." Again this is the result of blood vessel constriction of the placenta and not enough oxygen being delivered to the baby while in the uterus.
References
- "Williams Obstetrics, 22nd Edition"; F Cunningham, K. Leveno, S. Bloom, J. Hauth, L. Gilstrap, K. Wenstrom; 2005
- "2006 Compendium of Selected Publications, The American College of Obstericians and Gynecologists"; 2006
- "1000 Questions About Your Pregnancy"; J. Thurston; 2002
- "Precis and update in obstetrics and gynecology. Third Edition. The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists. 2005
