Smoking while pregnant is harmful to you and your baby. There is no known "safe" number of cigarettes that a woman can smoke while pregnant without causing damage. The risks increase with every cigarette smoked. Therefore, it may not be enough to cut down on the amount smoked. Rather, a woman must quit smoking completely to protect herself and her baby.
Stillbirth/Newborn Death
Carbon monoxide takes the place of oxygen in your baby's body when you smoke. If this occurs, your baby may compensate for the lack of oxygen by making more red blood cells. This condition is called polycythemia, which can be fatal, according to "Maternal, Fetal, & Neonatal Physiology" by Susan Tucker Blackburn.
Low Birth Weight
Nicotine from cigarettes causes the blood vessels in the placenta to constrict, which decreases the flow of oxygen and nutrients to your baby. Low levels of oxygen and nutrients result in poor fetal growth. Babies born with low birth weight are at risk of respiratory problems, cardiac problems and bleeding in the brain.
Premature Rupture of Membranes
Premature rupture of membranes (PROM) is a risk of women who smoke while pregnant. PROM occurs before 37 weeks gestation. Often a woman will go into labor once her membranes have ruptured, resulting in preterm birth.
Preterm Birth
Smoking while pregnant increases a mom's risk of preterm birth (birth before 37 weeks gestation). Babies born too early have a higher chance of respiratory problems, heart problems, brain damage and even death.
Congenital Heart Defects
Congenital heart defects increase with the number of cigarettes smoked, especially in the first trimester. Congenital heart defects are defects that occur in the heart's structure. This defect is caused by incomplete or abnormal development of the baby's heart during the first few weeks of the pregnancy, according to a 2008 study in "Pediatrics" by Sadia Malik, MD.
Cleft Lip/Cleft Palate
Babies born to moms who smoke are more likely to have a cleft lip (an opening in the upper lip) or a cleft palate (an opening in the roof of the mouth). Both require surgery to repair.
Placenta Problems
Two placenta problems associated with smoking are placenta previa and placenta abruption. Placenta previa is when the placenta either completely or partially covers the opening of the uterus. Placenta abruption is when the placenta detaches completely or partially from the uterus before delivery. Both require a cesarean section.
Sudden Infant Death Syndrome
This risk of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS) increases significantly if the mother smokes while pregnant. The risk continues to increase if the baby is exposed to second hand smoke after birth.
References
- Maternal, Fetal, & Neonatal Physiology; Susan Tucker Blackburn; 2003
- Maternal Smoking and Congenital Heart Defect
- Smoking While Pregnant
