Effects Of Smoking On A Baby During Pregnancy

Pregnancy is a wonderful period in a woman's life, but it can also be very stressful, knowing that the health of your baby is entirely dependent on you. It is essential to eat well and to take care of yourself during this time, as you are nurturing another human being inside your womb. However, there are many things that can affect pregnancy negatively. A common one is smoking.

Smoking has been proven to have negative effects on both mother and child, but what effect does it have specifically on the unborn baby?

Research suggests that babies born of mothers who smoke during their pregnancy often suffer more than just nicotine addiction themselves. They may also face breathing problems later in life due to the damage done by cigarette smoking while inside the womb.

One of the most prominent studies was carried out by Dr. David A. Barker, who found that infants were more likely to be born overweight if their mothers smoked, and it has been suggested that this may contribute to later problems such as type 2 diabetes and heart disease.

Another study published in Pediatrics suggested that an expectant mother's level of nicotine exposure could affect her child's behavior once they reached adolescence; those who are exposed to higher levels of nicotine had a higher chance of suffering from attention deficit disorder (ADD).

The dangers do not stop there either; research has shown that smoking can actually increase your chances of having a stillborn baby or miscarrying, especially during the first 12 weeks.

So, we know how smoking affects babies during this time in the womb, but what happens after they are born?

Babies of smoking mothers are at increased risk of SIDS (Sudden Infant Death Syndrome) and other respiratory problems.

Furthermore, research shows that children whose mothers smoked while pregnant may be more prone to speech impediments than those who were not exposed to cigarette smoke prenatally.

As you can see, there is quite a lot that smoking during pregnancy can do to your unborn baby!

And, it doesn't end after birth either; children of women who smoked heavily during pregnancy are also likely to have impaired lung function later in life, which can cause emphysema.

So, next time you reach for a cigarette, think about the effects of smoking on a baby during pregnancy and remember how it can affect you and your child for many years to come.

Smoking during pregnancy has been linked with numerous health problems in both the adult and baby and is thought to cause breast cancer too. You must do a Private Ultrasound Scan in Peterborough and a 4D Well beingscan in Peterborough at our center to get accurate details and peace of mind.