Maternal instinct awakens during pregnancy and keeps most expectant mothers away from anything that might endanger the well-being of their unborn baby. Evidence shows that drinking and smoking during pregnancy can prove harmful to the health of the fetus and may even induce preterm labor. If you are pregnant and struggling with alcohol or tobacco addictions, seek medical attention right away.
Pregnancy Dangers
Experts caution expectant mothers to stay away from harmful habits or drugs during their pregnancy and lactation periods. Certain stages of pregnancy are more susceptible to the danger of harmful and toxic substances like nicotine and alcohol. The development of the fetus differs in each trimester, with the first trimester considered the most vulnerable phase of pregnancy because many vital organs develop during this stage.
Alcohol and Pregnancy
Alcohol is dangerous to the fetus for many reasons. Alcohol easily passes from the mother's circulation into the blood of the fetus. Also, alcohol consumed by the mother is broken down and converted into a compound called acetaldehyde. This compound is damaging to the developing fetal cells and breaks down cellular structure. Alcohol is also absorbed differently by a fetus than it is by adults. There is a natural blood barrier in adults that blocks acetaldehyde from crossing over into the brain. This barrier is absent in fetuses, so the incoming acetaldehyde damages brain cells more easily.
Tobacco and Pregnancy
Tobacco contains nicotine, which is an additional risk factor that hinders normal fetal development. According to the Center for the Advancement of Health, children exposed to tobacco during fetal development have an increased chance of developing attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, or ADHD, language and reading difficulties, aggression and more.
Smoking, Drinking and Premature Labor
A study of pregnant women published in the January 1986 issue of the "Journal of the American Medical Association" examined the effects of smoking and drinking alcohol on the duration of pregnancy. The study revealed that the risk of preterm labor was directly proportional to the number of cigarettes smoked daily. Women who smoked more than one pack of cigarettes per day experienced a 20 percent higher chance of delivering prematurely. This percentage increased if the mother used both alcohol and tobacco during pregnancy.
References
- "Alcoholism: Clinical & Experimental Research"; Alcohol and the Human Fetal Brain; R.E. Person, et.al.; 2004
- Center for the Advancement of Health: Exposure to Tobacco in the Womb May Lead to Early Tobacco Experimentation; 2004
- "Journal of the American Medical Association"; Smoking and Drinking During Pregnancy. Their Effects of Premature Birth; P.H. Shiono, et al.; January 1986
