Cigarettes contain many dangerous chemicals, with nicotine and carbon monoxide being among the most hazardous to your health. If you're pregnant, these poisons get into the placenta, which is the tissue that connects you to your baby and sends oxygen and nutrients and eliminates wastes, reports the American Pregnancy Association. Nicotine replacement therapy, such as the nicotine patch or gum still pose additional risk to the fetus but are considered safer than cigarette smoking itself. Discuss quitting options with your obstetrician to decide the safest and most appropriate plan for you. There are several side effects of nicotine on a developing fetus that you should be aware of.
Low Birth Weight
Smoking nicotine-laden cigarettes during pregnancy is estimated to account for 20 to 30 percent of low-birth weight babies, up to 14 percent of preterm deliveries, and about 10 percent of all infant deaths, reports the American Pregnancy Association. Low birth weight babies have difficulties with growing, feeding and development.
Preterm Delivery
Nicotine exposure during pregnancy increases the risk of preterm delivery (before 37 weeks of gestation). According to the March of Dimes, premature and low-birth weight babies face an increased risk of serious health problems during the newborn period, chronic lifelong disabilities (such as cerebral palsy, mental retardation and learning problems) and even death.
Placental Complications
Smoking cigarettes doubles a woman's risk of developing placental problems, states the March of Dimes. Placental complications include placenta previa, in which the placenta covers some or all of the cervix (the opening at the bottom of the uterus that dilates during delivery). Placenta previa may cause hemorrhaging, pre-term birth, and increase your risk for a c-section. A placental abruption is also linked to nicotine exposure. In a placental abruption the placenta rips away, partially or almost completely, from the uterine wall before delivery. This is an obstetric emergency that may result in severe hemorrhaging, hysterectomy and fetal or maternal death.
