Smoking while you are pregnant poses risks to the fetus --- and to your health as well, the March of Dimes warns. But if you are trying to quit smoking to benefit your baby, you are not alone. According to the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, pregnancy is the time of life when women are most likely to kick the habit. Discuss the issue with your doctor for specific tips and local references.
Smaller Babies
Smoking makes it almost twice as likely that your baby will be born too small, the March of Dimes reports, citing the dual hazard of insufficient fetal growth and premature birth. Neonatal care of tiny newborns costs hundreds of millions of dollars every year, the American Lung Association estimates. And low-birth-weight babies --- less than 5.5 pounds --- are more likely to have serious disabilities such as cerebral palsy and mental retardation, the March of Dimes adds.
Other Risks
Your smoking can cause other problems for the fetus, including decreased oxygen and blood supply, stillbirth and miscarriage, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention report. You also should beware of breathing secondhand smoke, which can cause complications including reduced fetal growth, the March of Dimes notes.
Hazards for Mother
Some of smoking's effects on the fetus can affect the mother as well, the March of Dimes warns. For example, smoking doubles the risk of problems with the placenta, which can cause heavy bleeding during delivery and potentially endanger the mother's life. The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists warns that if you smoke, you also have a higher risk of an ectopic pregnancy --- when the fetus grows in a fallopian tube.
Long Term
The hazards of smoking do not end when your fetus becomes a newborn. Newborn babies of smokers appear to suffer withdrawal from the chemicals in cigarette smoke, the March of Dimes explains, and they are up to three times more likely to die from sudden infant death syndrome. As they grow, their weakened lungs make them susceptible to many ailments including bronchitis, pneumonia and asthma, according to the federal health website Smokefree.
About Quitting
The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists notes that after just one smoke-free day, your unborn baby begins to get more oxygen. Other advice from the doctors' group: Ask a friend of relative to quit with you; distract yourself with hobbies, exercise or other positive activities; and realize that tobacco cravings will lessen with time. The March of Dimes advises that if you stop smoking at least by the end of your second trimester, your baby faces no more risk of low birth weight than that of a nonsmoker.
References
- March of Dimes: Smoking During Pregnancy
- Smokefree: Secondhand Smoke
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention: Smoking, Impact on Unborn Babies
- American Lung Association: Smoking During Pregnancy
- American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists: PPT: Clinician' Guide To Helping Pregnant Women Quit Smoking
