How Smoking During Pregnancy Affects your Baby and How to Quit It

Smoking is an addictive habit. It is not easy to quit smoking. Smoking or even second-hand smoke exposure is very dangerous for pregnant women as it affects the development of unborn child physically and mentally.

The cigarette is a man-made supper addictive habit. It is manufactured by mixing many chemicals which affects all body systems. When a pregnant woman smokes, she delivers this to her baby and as a result the unborn child’s immunity is at risk. Such a child is more prone to infections and frequently catches cold and cough.

Doctors have even seen the breathing complications with the babies with mothers smoking during pregnancy. One of the most common and serious complications is low-birth weight which affects future growth of the child. Pre term labor is the most common issue resulting due to smoking during pregnancy. Smoking mother’s child suffers during and after pregnancy, as nicotine which is an addictive substance in cigarette along with carbon monoxide and many harmful chemicals, flows through the bloodstream of a smoker into the baby’s blood stream. Below are given few side effects of smoking during pregnancy:

  • Increase in child’s heartbeat
  • Lower quantity of oxygen for mother and child
  • Increases the possibility of stillbirth and miscarriage
  • A child born with low birth weight
  • Preterm delivery
  • Respiratory disorder in child

The health and fitness of your baby depends on your health. Therefore, as long as you smoke during pregnancy, you increase the chances of giving birth to a weak child as there are no safe smoking levels during pregnancy.

Passive smoking is also known as second-hand smoking, smoke is caused by burnt cigarette, which is also equally harmful to children. The smoke from the cigarette consists of tar, nicotine, carbon monoxide, etc and if a pregnant woman is constantly exposed to second-hand smoke then there is a high risk of the baby having lower immunity. The baby can be prone to diseases like lung cancer, allergies, heart problems, asthma apart from other health problems.

Therefore, the first thing you need to do when you plan for pregnancy is to quit smoking. Nowadays, there are numerous sources which will easily help you to quit smoking. Nicotine replacement therapy (NRT) is the most effective and successful therapy. NRT is available in many forms like:

  • Patches
  • Inhaler
  • Gum
  • Mouth sprays
  • Lozenges
  • Inhalator
  • Microtabs

You must consult your doctor before using any of the above products as there are many helplines and pregnancy support groups which help you and guide you to quit smoking.

You can try a form of hypnotherapy known as Neuro Linguistic programming (NLP) which is proved to be the most beneficial method to quit smoking. The candidates who have quit smoking through this method have remained smoke free for more than 6 months and even afterwards.

You can alternate your lifestyle like, you can avoid going to smoking areas. You can make your house a smoke free zone, where nobody can smoke. You feel like smoking during stress or driving then try to find some alternative activities. You can keep the gums busy by chewing gum to avoid cravings.

For the health of your child, you must give your best to quit smoking which is beneficial for you and your baby in a long run.

About Author

I am Amiya Foster, I am freelance writer, I like to write article about infertility, pregnancy and pregnancy related issues. For more information you can log on to (http://www.conceiveababynaturally.com/). Also you can follow me on G+.