What can smoke do to a pregnant woman?

What can smoke do to a pregnant woman? The majority of medical professional agree that smoking is detrimental to the health of both the pregnant woman and her unborn baby. They highly advise against a pregnant woman smoking.

The effects of smoking during pregnancy

Studies have shown that there are numerous adverse health effects of women smoking during pregnancy. According to the World Health Organization, 20 percent of women in developed countries smoke. A very limited number of these women refrain from smoking during pregnancy. The effect of smoking on a developing baby can be devastating.

Stillborn

Nearly 11% of all stillborn births can be directly attributed to tobacco use. Quitting smoking prior to conception is ideal, yet pregnant women that quit before their 2nd trimester greatly reduce the risk of a stillborn birth.

Fertility

Many studies have documented that smoking is related to delayed conception and difficulties related to a woman's reproductive health. Additionally, studies revealed that women who smoke have fewer eggs (removed during invitro fertilization) than women that do not smoke. The eggs that are retrieved from smokers are of a lesser quality than those of non smokers as well.

Placenta previa

This condition, in which the placenta implants in the lower part of the uterus, is one of the main reasons for vaginal bleeding during the 2nd and 3rd trimesters. A low lying placenta is a significant factor in infant and mother mortality. Smoking raises a woman's risk of Placenta Previa.

Placental abruption

Smoking can increase a woman's risk of placental abruption. This occurs when the placenta pulls away from the uterus, resulting in fetal distress and blood loss. This condition is fatal for roughly 25% of newborns, although it is rarely fatal for the mother. Nearly half of all infants who are born as a result of this condition have some form of long term difficulties.

Premature rupture of membranes

This occurs when the membranes break before 37 weeks of pregnancy. This is a concern because it is a factor in over 30 percent of premature births. PROM is a major concern because there is a higher risk to life threatening placental infections. Smoking has be en linked to a higher incidence of the premature rupture of membranes.

Preterm delivery

Preterm delivery applies to any birth that occurs before the 37th week of pregnancy. Babies that are born premature have an increased risk of mortality, long term disabilities and respiratory illnesses. Smoking has been linked to an increased risk of premature birth.

The effects of smoking on infants

Although many people know what smoking can do to a pregnant woman and a developing fetus, few realize that cigarette smoke continues to impact the baby's health outside the womb.

Nicotine withdrawal

Studies have shown that infants born to women that smoked undergo nicotine withdrawal when they are born. These infants appear more jittery, rigid and withdrawn. The symptoms are more severe in infants who were exposed to heavy smoking before birth.

Sids

The risk of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome for newborns born to a woman that smoked during pregnancy is about double the risk of a woman that was s moke free. That risk is increased further if the newborn continues to be exposed to smoke after birth. Researchers have also noted an increased risk of sudden infant death syndrome in infants that may have only passively been exposed to smoke, such as the remnants of cigarette smoke on a shirt. An infant's risk of SIDS increases whenever they are exposed to smoke, be it their father's, mother's or a stranger's. The best way to prevent increasing an infant's risk of SIDS is for the infant to avoid cigarette smoke in any form.

Increased lower respiratory illnesses

According to the Environmental Protection Agency, EPA, smoking increases the rate of low respiratory tract infections in children and infants. These lower respiratory infections include pneumonia and bronchitis. Between 150,000 and 300,000 cases of lower respiratory illness are directly attributed to second hand smoke each year for infants up to the age of 18 months. Of these cases, approximately 15,000 require hospitalization. The risk of infection is nearly 50% higher for infants that have a mother that smoked compared to those that did not.

Asthma

Second hand smoke increases the severity and frequency of symptoms for asthmatic children. Nearly one million children have their conditions worsened by exposure to second hand smoke. These children also have their lung function reduced because of exposure to second hand smoke.

With the overwhelming evidence of what smoking can do to a pregnant woman, more and more women are choosing to quit smoking during pregnancy. Unfortunately, many pregnant women smoking are endangering the future of their unborn babies.

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