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Smoking is perhaps one of the most dangerous habits a woman can engage in during
pregnancy. Smoking during pregnancy can lead to many different complications and
serious health problems for your newborn baby.
It is estimated that approximately 25% of American women smoke during their
reproductive years. Many women who smoke prior to pregnancy continue to smoke
during and after their pregnancies.
Many harmful effects have been associated with smoking. The nicotine and carbon
monoxide found in cigarette smoke for example has been associated with many
adverse pregnancy outcomes including:
Low Birth Weight Babies
Preterm Delivery
Premature Rupture of Membranes (PROM)
Placental abnormalities/problems
Increased risk of sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS)
Women who smoke during pregnancy are 3.5 times more likely to delivery a low
birth weight baby (defined as a baby less than 5.5 pounds) during pregnancy.
Third trimester smoking has been shown to have the greatest impact on the growth
of the fetus. Low birth weight babies may not function as well as their fuller
figured counterparts.
Preterm delivery (defined as labor and delivery at less than 37 weeks) is also
2.5 more likely among women that are smokers. Premature rupture of the membranes
or PROM is much more common in women who smoke, and can lead to low birth weight
or preterm delivery. PROM puts a woman and her baby at increased risk for
infection and other labor and delivery complications.
Smoking also increases the risk of developing among other things, placental
abruption, where the placenta separates from the uterine wall prior to delivery,
which can be a life threatening condition for both mother and baby. Placenta
previa is also much more common among women who smoke, and can result in blood
loss and hemorrhaging.
How to Quit Smoking Quitting smoking during your pregnancy is the most important thing you can to do
for your health AND the health of your newborn baby. Fortunately there are many
resources available to help you overcome your cigarette smoking habit during
pregnancy.
If you are a smoker you should consult with your healthcare provider, who can
refer you to a smoking cessation program and offer you suggestions for ways to
quit.
Women who smoke are much more likely to succeed if they have the support of
friends and family that understand the harmful effects of smoking during
pregnancy, and if they have the support of a partner who doesn't smoke.
Women who have tried to stop smoking before pregnancy are much more likely to
succeed than those who have not. Replacements for cigarette smoking, such as
nicotine replacement are controversial, and should only be used if your
physician recommends it after other attempts have failed.
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Bupropion (Wellbutrin) is an anti depressant that may aide in smoking cessation,
and is considered a class B drug, generally safe to use in pregnancy.
The most important thing to remember is that you be honest with yourself and
your healthcare practitioner, so that you receive the care and support you need
to quit smoking safely and effectively throughout your pregnancy.
Fortunately, the prospect of having a healthy, well nourished and beautiful baby
is enough incentive for most women to stick with a stop smoking program
throughout the course of their pregnancy.
If you are seeking support, please check out the following:
National Partnership to Help Pregnant Smokers Quit
www.helppregnantsmokersquit.org
The American Legacy Foundation
www.americanlegacyfoundation.org
Robert Wood Johnson Foundation Smoke Free Families Support
www.smokefreefamilies.org
