Posted on June 27, 2007 in Latest News
It is imperative for pregnant women to refrain from certain activities, and smoking is one of them. There is little doubt that smoking is a bad option for pregnant women. Women who smoke during pregnancy are exposed to augmented risks of giving birth to a stillborn baby, suffering a miscarriage, or delivering a baby with unsatisfactory birth weight. Smoking by pregnant women doubles the risk of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome or SIDS that causes sudden death of their healthy children.
Cigarette smoking can augment the threat of a diverse range of complications related to pregnancy such as premature rupture of membranes, vaginal bleeding and premature placental detachment. Smoking also hinders the absorption of vitamins B and C and folic acid in pregnant mothers. Deficiency in Folic Acid can lead to flaws in the neural tube. Numerous chemicals present in cigarette smoke for example carbon monoxide and nicotine, are toxic in nature that progresses through a pregnant woman’s bloodstream and has an adverse impact on the developing baby.
When a pregnant woman smokes, it diminishes the supply of oxygen to the baby. The nicotine can result in the increased heart rate of the baby. Nicotine diminishes the baby’s source of nutrients due to the augmented blood pressure and blood vessel constriction
It is advisable that women who are pregnant should quit smoking in order to avoid pregnancy related complications. The best way to quit smoking during pregnancy is to make a list of the harmful effects that are associated with smoking. One would also do well to make a note of the reasons for giving up smoking. When a pregnant woman is desirous of smoking she should look at the paper on which she has written down the harmful consequences of smoking. This should act as a strong deterrent against the desires of the pregnant woman to smoke by making her aware about the consequences of her thoughtless action that can harm her baby.
Pregnant women will do well to select a day on which to quit their undesirable habit. On that day she should make a firm resolve to throw away all her cigarettes, lighters and ashtrays.
A pregnant woman trying to quit smoking should keep away from places, activities or people that encourage her to smoke. While making an endeavor to quit smoking, pregnant women should seek the assistance of a friend or a partner to help her in her effort.
A woman who is pregnant should seek the advice of a physician and ask for quitting aids for example patches, gum, nasal spray and medications. One should not be discouraged if the initial attempt to quit smoking proves futile. One should persist with her effort to give up the habit completely at the initial stages of pregnancy.
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