Effects Pregnant Smoking While.

I smoke cigarettes every day. Should I stop?
Yes! A pregnant woman who smokes one pack of cigarettes a day (20 cigarettes) inhales tobacco smoke more than 11,000 times during an average pregnancy! Tobacco smoke inhaled by the mother can affect a growing baby.

RISKS OF CIGARETTE SMOKING
A mother-to-be who smokes puts herself and her baby at risk. Consider the following facts.

The risk of developing placental abruption increases almost 25% in moderate smokers and 65% in heavy smokers.
Placenta previa occurs 25% more often in moderate smokers and 90% more often in heavy smokers.
Miscarriage, death of the fetus or death of a baby soon after birth are risks directly related to the number of cigarettes a woman smokes each day. Risk can increase as much as 35% for a woman who smokes more than a pack of cigarettes a day.
Infants born to mothers who smoke weigh less than other babies. This can cause problems for the baby.
Lower IQ scores and increased incidence of reading disorders have been noted in children born to mothers who smoked during pregnancy.
Hyperactivity is higher in children whose mothers smoked while pregnant.
Research has shown that smoking during pregnancy interferes with the woman's absorption of vitamins B and C and folic acid.
A recent study linked cigarette smoking by a mother-to-be with mental retardation in her baby.
Newborns of mothers who smoke may have nicotine deprivation. Adults who suffer from nicotine deprivation exhibit symptoms such as cravings, nervousness and irritability.

Why is cigarette smoking so harmful?
Tobacco smoke contains many harmful substances, including nicotine, carbon monoxide, hydrogen cyanide, tars, resins and some cancer-causing agents. When a pregnant woman inhales cigarette smoke, these chemicals pass through the placenta to the developing baby.

I want to quit smoking. Is it OK for me to use the Nicoderm patch or Nicorette gum while I'm pregnant?
The stop-smoking patches and gum contain many of the same substances that cigarettes do. The specific effects of Nicoderm and Nicorette on fetal development are unknown. However, if you are pregnant, researchers advise not using either of these stop-smoking systems because you and your baby might be exposed to the harmful substances you are trying to avoid.

What can I do if I smoke?
The best way you can help yourself is to quit smoking completely before and during your pregnancy. If you can't do this it's hard to quit cold turkey reduce the number of cigarettes you smoke. It may help reduce your risks.

I don't smoke, but my husband does. Will this hurt me or the baby?
Some research indicates a nonsmoker and her unborn baby are exposed to carboxyhemoglobin and nicotine through secondary smoke. These substances may harm you and your baby. Ask your husband to stop smoking while you are pregnant. If he's receptive to the idea, you might suggest he quit smoking altogether. Secondhand smoke isn't good after your baby is born, either!

How can my lifestyle affect my developing baby?
Some substances that you can use safely may have adverse effects on a developing fetus. Other substances are bad for both you and your baby. It's never too early to start thinking about how your actions affect the baby growing inside you.

What kind of activities can affect my baby?
Just about anything you are exposed to can affect your baby. Cigarette smoke, alcohol, drugs, tranquilizers, even caffeine can affect a fetus

How do researchers know these substances affect a developing baby?
Information about the effects of specific substances on a human pregnancy often comes from cases of exposure before a pregnancy is discovered. These cases help researchers understand possible harmful effects, but they don't help us understand the picture completely. For this reason, we often cannot make exact statements about particular substances and their effects on the mother or developing baby.