There are so many dangers to your unborn child if you are smoking during pregnancy. If there was ever a right time to quit smoking, it is when you find out you are pregnant. Whatever distress it causes you to quit, your baby’s health is worth it.
Plus there are obviously so many positive benefits for you, too. Not only will you feel so much better, but you will have a lot more energy which you will need. Of course pregnancy is a stressful time, but you must be committed and just do it. Here are just a few of the many hidden dangers for your child when you’re smoking during pregnancy.
If you are pregnant and smoke, and you want to quit, the best thing to do is see the doctor who is overseeing your pregnancy, or your family doctor. There are very many methods, approaches, and products available to help you quit smoking. Be aware though, that some smoking cessation products do still contain nicotine. If you wear a nicotine replacement patch, for example, the nicotine that enters your bloodstream will still be absorbed by your baby. Sure, we realize that is better than inhaling hundreds of carcinogenic chemicals from a cigarette but the nicotine in the patches still pose a health threat to your child. So it really is best to discuss it with your doctor as to what is best for you. While you are reading, if the typeface appears not clear, get a set of eyeglass frames.
Each year a certain percentage of pregnancies result in ectopic pregnancies. An ectopic pregnancy occurs when the embryo becomes implanted in the fallopian tube rather than in the uterus which is where it should be located. There can be all kinds of serious complications from ectopic pregnancies. As you may imagine, already, women who smoke while pregnant have a significant risk of an ectopic pregnancy. Additionally, there are risks that can negatively impact the placenta when there is smoking during pregnancy. Obviously, not only are these serious risks for the fetus but also the mothers health and well-being, too.
While a significant percentage of low birth weight newborns is blamed on the mother smoking while pregnant, there are quite a few additional risks. Low birth weight plus premature birth carry potential for associated high risks. Just some of the additional risks include mental retardation, learning disabilities, and cerebral palsy. Of course the most serious possibility, and one that is recognized, is infant death.
You can eliminate the common problems associated with smoking during pregnancy if you take action to quit smoking. It really is pretty cut and dry, black and white. If you need additional motivation then you should do more reading and learn more about all that can possibly happen to your baby. The list goes all the way to infant death, still births, and a higher incidence of SIDS, or sudden infant death syndrome. Everyone can agree that smoking during pregnancy is extremely harmful and potentially debilitating on the baby and child.
