Why Pregnant Women Need To Quit Smoking

Smoking While Pregnant: A Health Risk Multiplied

It has been known for quite some time now that smoking is harmful to a fetus and yet women continue to smoke once they realize they are pregnant. The risks they are taking with their child’s health each time they light up should be enough of a motivation for them to put down the cigarettes for good.

How Does Smoking Hurt My Baby?

Smoking while pregnant can be extremely dangerous both in the short and long term. Some of the health problems that can occur are:

• Lowering the oxygen levels to both you and your unborn baby.
• Smoking increases the baby’s heart rate.
• Women who smoke while pregnant are more likely to suffer a miscarriage or stillbirth.
• Babies whose mother smoked while they were in pregnant have a better change of being born with a low birth weight.
• Children born to mothers who smoked have a higher probability of developing asthma as well as ear infections and other respiratory illnesses.

Is it ok if I am around smoke while I am pregnant?

The answer is NO. Second hand smoke is equally dangerous if not more so to both you and your unborn child. Many of the same health risks are present for children born to mothers who were merely in an environment where they were breathing in smoke. Many of the toxins in cigarettes are found to be more concentrated in the second hand smoke as they do not pass through a filter before being inhaled.

How can I quit if I am pregnant?

While many people who choose to quit smoking do so with the aid of nicotine replacement therapy, this is not recommended for pregnant women. There has not been enough research done on the effects of the patch of nicotine gum to unborn children and therefore natural cessation programs are a better choice. Changing you habits and surrounding yourself with people who love and care about you and your unborn child is key. You might also consider support groups as well as speaking with your obstetrician on what might be your best plan of action to get smoke free as quickly as possible. This will not only be what is best for your unborn child, but also will improve your health so you will have a better chance of living a long and healthy life.

Conclusion

If you are pregnant you need to quit smoking. If you need additional information on methods of quitting and why it is important to both you and your baby, continue to review articles on our site. We are dedicated in helping you kick the habit for good.

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