Smoking in pregnancy results birth defects

Smoking is one of the most hazardous habits that can hamper your health severely. Smoking in pregnancy can result in birth defects and several other problems. It is one of the most dangerous habits that can also create problem for a women to get pregnant. Smoking during pregnancy also creates several health problems to the woman and her child as the child gets exposed to harmful chemicals like nicotine and carbon monoxide. These chemicals reduce the quantity of oxygen for the baby and also damage his lungs.

Smoking of tobacco can lead to infertility and several other problems during pregnancy as follows:

• An ectopic pregnancy
• Vaginal bleeding
• Placental abruption
• Placenta previa
• Stillbirth

Women who smoke during pregnancy can give birth to children suffering from various severe health disorders as follows:

• Prematurely
• Low birth weight
• Under weight for number of weeks after pregnancy
• Cleft lip or palate
• Mental disorders

Babies born prematurely and with low birth weight are at a risk of several health disorders or even death.

Second hand smoke is also another serious reason for birth defects. It can result in low birth weight and other disorders like asthma, bronchitis, pneumonia, respiratory problems, ear infections, slow lung growth and Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS) in children.

Quiting tobacco smoking will help you and your baby to maintain good health and avoid any pregnancy problems. If you are pregnant, this is the best time to quit smoking. Some women think that reducing or switching to mild cigarettes can help during pregnancy. This is one of the biggest misconception. Thus, women must completely quit smoking before or after they get pregnant.

There are various ways by which you can quit smoking. Meditation, indulging yourself in daily chores, chewing of sugarless gums or calling your partner whenever you feel like smoking are some of the best ways by which you can avoid smoking. Women often face many medical questions during pregnancy. They must not avoid these questions and receive appropriate medical answers from their doctors. Any misconceptions during pregnancy can lead to serious medical emergencies.