Smoking During Pregnancy
Not only is smoking harmful to you, but it is also harmful to your baby if you smoke during pregnancy because you are exposing them to dangerous chemicals. These chemicals prevent your baby from getting the oxygen that they need, which can interfere with normal growth and brain development. Also, your baby’s lungs are severely affected by smoking.
Women who smoke during pregnancy are more likely to have:
Babies born to women who smoke during pregnancy can lead to:
Women who smoke during pregnancy are more likely to have:
- An ectopic pregnancy - pregnancy that occurs outside the womb (uterus). It is a life-threatening condition to the mother.
- Miscarriage - spontaneous loss of a fetus
- Placental abruption – the placenta (the organ that nourishes the fetus) is separated from its attachment to the uterus wall before the baby is delivered
- Placenta previa- a complication of pregnancy in which the placenta grows in the lowest part of the womb and covers all or part of the opening to the cervix
- A stillbirth - fetus has died in the uterus
Babies born to women who smoke during pregnancy can lead to:
- Birth defects, such as cleft lip or cleft palate
- Premature birth– are at risk for other serious health complications. Some babies may die.
- Low birthweight – are at risk for other serious health complications. Some babies may die.
- Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS) – babies die of no obvious reason.