Smoking and Pregnancy

Introduction

Cigarettes are a common teratogen, an agent that causes damage to the developing organism, which is preventable (Berger 115). The California Environmental Protection Agency (CAL/EPA) has identified tobacco smoke and nicotine, a chemical in tobacco smoke, as substances that are harmful to unborn children (NTP).

"Smoking during pregnancy may indicate that a woman is not taking a healthy approach to childbearing and, thus, may be associated with later problem behaviors for the child. For example, smoking by the mother during pregnancy is associated with substance abuse and criminal behavior in both male and female children when they reach adulthood (Child)."

The major topic covered is the effects of smoking while pregnant. Miscarriages, still births, low infant birth weight, and sudden infant death syndrome are some effects of smoking while pregnant. Children born to smoking mothers may also suffer more colds and other lung problems, and may have learning difficulties, and behavioral problems (NTP).

Other topics covered are second hand smoke, smoking while breastfeeding, why children are more likely to become smokers, and quitting smoking. Problems can occur if a pregnant woman does not smoke herself, but is around others who smoke, known as second hand smoke. Women should not smoke while breast feeding because the chemicals in cigarette smoke can enter the breast milk (NTP). Children of mothers who smoked are more likely to become smokers themselves (Ferguson). Quitting smoking is the best for the baby and the mother. It is never too late, to quit smoking.

Effects of Smoking While Pregnant

Smoking during pregnancy is associated with many adverse outcomes for children as well as negative consequences for child health and development (Child). "Maternal smoking early in pregnancy increases risk of certain rare abnormalities, including malformation of the limbs and the urinary tract. Maternal smoking late in pregnancy reduces birthweight and size. Babies born to habitual smokers weigh, on average, about 9 oz. less, and they are shorter, both at birth and in the years to come (Berger 115)."

Smoking by pregnant women limits the amount of nutrients and oxygen that reach the unborn child. When an individual smokes, they take in nicotine and carbon monoxide. These poisons get into the placenta, the tissue that connects the mother and the baby before it is born. These poisons keep the unborn baby from getting the food and oxygen needed to grow. As a result babies of smokers are often smaller. Smaller babies are more likely to need special care and stay longer in the hospital. Some may die either at birth or within the first year. Smoking during pregnancy is estimated to account for 20 to 30 percent of low-birth weight babies, up to 14 percent of preterm deliveries, and some 10 percent of all infant deaths (NTP).

Some of the effects of smoking while pregnant may not be apparent at birth, but are seen as the child starts to develop (NTP). Infants born from mothers that smoked are three times more likely to die from Sudden Infant Death Syndrome, a condition in which babies who appear healthy die suddenly while sleeping, as are babies whose mothers do not smoke during pregnancy (Child).

Smoking during pregnancy also hurts a baby's lungs. Smoking during and after pregnancy has been linked to asthma in children (NTP). "Children born to mothers who smoked while pregnant, and possibly children whose grandmothers smoked while pregnant, have a higher risk of developing childhood asthma (Child)."

Additionally, the offspring of mothers who smoked may have learning difficulties and behavioral problems (NTP). "Smoking by the mother during pregnancy is associated with substance abuse and criminal behavior in both male and female children when they reach adulthood (Child)."

Second Hand Smoke

Exposure to second hand smoke, also called involuntary smoking, occurs when non-smokers breathe in the cigarette smoke from others around them. Second hand smoke is harmful to both pregnant women and infants (NTP). Paternal smoking reduces birthweight by about 2 oz. (Berger 115). After birth, babies exposed to cigarette smoke may experience more colds, lung problems, and even ear infections.

Smoking While Breastfeeding

Breast milk is best for baby because of the extra nutrients it provides the infant. Moreover, breast milk contains what is in the woman's body. So whatever the mother consumes or takes into her body effects the contents of their breast milk. Therefore, women should not smoke while breast feeding because, the baby ingests the nicotine in her breast milk (NTP).

Children More Likely to Become Smokers

Another reason why pregnant women should not smoke is that their child is more likely to become a smoker. Researchers at Brown and Harvard University have researched the offspring of smokers. They have found that if their mothers smoked heavily during their pregnancy, these offspring were far more likely to develop nicotine dependence once they themselves try cigarettes (Ferguson).

Quitting Smoking

First and foremost, a woman should quit smoking if she is thinking about becoming pregnant. Quitting will help produce a baby that will be of the same birthweight of a baby born of a woman who has never smoked.