Most pregnant mothers probably realize that smoking during pregnancy is putting their unborn child at risk. But many may not know the full extent of the risk. Woman who smoke while pregnant put their child at risk for a long list of negative consequences. Inhaling second hand smoke can even cause negative effects on your child. It becomes more about protecting your unborn child than just protecting yourself. There are many methods to quit smoking safely and for those that need the support, there are support groups available. Your child can suffer from the following effects if you smoke while pregnant.
Smoking during pregnancy can lead to your child’s premature death. SIDS is more common in children exposed to the dangers of second hand smoke. Specifically, SIDS is defined as the sudden death of an infant less than a year old, and there is no explanation or apparent cause of it. As a pregnant mother, this is obviously a very serious risk to take with your child. If more women were aware of the risks of smoking while pregnant, we believe that more would work harder to quit.
There is a trend being noticed among babies of smoking mothers. The babies in this category tend to have a higher heart rate than babies whose mothers did not smoke. Babies of smoking mothers have hearts rates that are about 30% higher than those of nonsmokers. This statistic applies to women who smoke during pregnancy. It is difficult to know the exact cause of this condition. But it may be due in part to the baby not receiving the normal amount of oxygen because of the smoking.
The immediate, physical consequences of smoking while pregnant is naturally the focus. Studies are beginning to show a connection between smoking while pregnant and the child having behavioral difficulties. For example, there is a range of problems including learning disabilities and general behavioral issues.
You can eliminate the common problems associated with smoking during pregnancy if you take action to quit smoking. This situation is pretty black and white. For more motivation to quit, research and learn more about what could happen to your child if you don’t quit. The list includes infant death, still births, and a higher risk of SIDS. Smoking during pregnancy is extremely harmful for your baby.
The author is a nutritionist. Please look at her websites by visiting chicken recipes and chicken breast recipes