Smoking While Pregnant
The first thing that anyone will tell you is that smoking while pregnant is not good for the health of you or your baby. More specifically, it can cause an early delivery or a baby to be born too small. It can also cause certain birth defects, or even stillbirth. You should also remember that second-hand smoking or being exposed to tobacco smoke while pregnant can also cause serious issues. Though quitting before your pregnancy is ideal, early on during your term is the next best. Whatever the case may be, it is never too late during your pregnancy to quit smoking.
Studies show that about 10% of women smoke while pregnant, though this does not justify it. The percentage is higher among women who have been diagnosed with psychiatric problems. Since smoking is an addiction, it is likely that many women cease for the duration of their pregnancy but revert to it after their baby is born. With post-partum depression lurking, mothers who were smokers are more likely to go back to smoking even if they are still breastfeeding.
Birth Defects
Babies born to mothers who smoked during their pregnancy are more likely to have an orofacial cleft, which is a defect of the mouth and lip. A cleft lip can happen between the 4th and 7th week of pregnancy, if the tissue that forms the facial structures of the baby does not join completely at the lip, and possibly palate, before birth.
Babies who are exposed to other people’s tobacco are more likely to develop ear and lung infections, such as bronchitis and pneumonia. Second-hand smoking in this manner can also trigger asthma attacks, and it increases the risk of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome.
Nicotine Products
In their effort to quit smoking, many people will turn to e-cigarettes or other nicotine products. However, none of these options are safe to use during pregnancy as nicotine can damage a developing baby’s brain and lungs. On top of the danger nicotine poses, some of the flavorings used in e-cigarettes are also harmful to a developing baby.
Smoking and Breastfeeding
Though many women will pause smoking for the duration of their pregnancy, it is likely that they relapse after their baby is born. Nicotine and other chemicals are transferred into the breast milk at high levels, and you may be surprised to know that the amount of nicotine that accumulates in the breast milk and transfers to the baby is double that of the amount transferred through the placenta.
Women who smoke are more likely to have a lower milk supply, and to wean their babies faster than women who do not smoke during breastfeeding.
If you are considering a pregnancy, and are struggling with quitting smoking seek advice from your healthcare provider or doctor, and develop a quitting plan as early as possible to protect your health and the health of your baby.