Pregnant women are well aware, smoking while pregnancy affects the health of the unborn baby. And the more you smoke, the greater the effects are significant.
What happens when you smoke? With each puff of cigarette, you inhale more than 3000 toxic substances. Carbon monoxide and nicotine in particular spend the fetal-placental barrier. The baby is then less well oxygenated.
More the mother smokes, the less oxygenation of the fetus is good and the effects are harmful for its development. This poor oxygenation is due to carbon monoxide, but not only. Nicotine alters the flow of blood in the arteries of the placenta and in the umbilical artery because of its vasoconstrictive effect.
The fetus needs oxygen to grow properly. Poor oxygenation acts on growth, and may decrease its birth weight up to 300 grams, reducing its size and head circumference. The brain, lungs, heart and blood vessels are affected as well in case of impaired oxygenation.
The risk of premature birth also increased when smoking. Note: passive smoking is to be monitored to avoid any risk of developmental delay
After birth, the child may develop respiratory diseases such as asthma, as well as ear infections or recurrent bronchitis, for example. On the side of the mother, the risk of ectopic pregnancy and childbirth complications are increased.
Never too late to quit
For all these reasons, the announcement of a pregnancy can really be an opportunity to stop smoking. stop smoking, the benefits are evident on all fronts:
- Fewer miscarriages
- Less than ectopic pregnancies
- Fewer premature deliveries
- Less stunting, etc.
Namely: if the ideal is to stop smoking before pregnancy, know that the judgment is always beneficial at any time while pregnancy for both the mother and fetus.