Cigarette smoke contains more than 4,000 chemicals, including cyanide, lead and at least 60 cancer-causing compounds, reports BabyCenter. Nicotine and carbon monoxide are two of the most dangerous chemicals that are inhaled during cigarette smoking. There are some dangerous effects of fetal exposure to nicotine in utero.
Low Birth Weight
According to the March of Dimes, smoking nearly doubles a woman's risk of having a baby with a low birth weight. The shortage of oxygen that the baby experiences may lead to delays in growth and development. On average, a pack-a-day habit during pregnancy will shave about a half-pound from a baby's birth weight, while smoking two packs a day throughout your pregnancy could make your baby a full pound or more lighter, reports BabyCenter. If a woman stops smoking and halts her intake of nicotine by the second trimester, she will greatly reduce her risk of delivering a child with low birth weight.
Delayed Lung Development
Delayed fetal lung development is a possible side effect of nicotine during pregnancy. These babies may require mechanical ventilation after birth if their lungs are not ready to breathe on their own. Babies who are exposed to smoke suffer from more lower-respiratory illnesses (such as bronchitis and pneumonia) and ear infections than do other babies, states The March of Dimes. There is also a correlation between infants exposed to cigarette smoke and the development of asthma or SIDS (sudden infant death syndrome).
Neurological Function
Children of pregnant smokers are especially likely to have learning disorders, behavioral problems, and relatively low IQs, states BabyCenter. Even though you may be aware of the harmful effects that cigarette smoking places on a fetus, it is not always easy to quit smoking. There are many successful methods for smoking cessation. Your physician may help you to find a local program in your area.
