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Cigarette smoking is declining in many developing nations but this rather bad habit still continues to pose one of the most significant health risks to the modern world. Apart from the known effects of cancer, heart and lung disease, cigarette smoking plays a significant role in pregnancy.While women of today are more aware of the dangers of smoking during pregnancy, many pregnant mothers continue to smoke throughout their pregnancy. This has far reaching consequences on the unborn baby, impacting on both pregnancy and the physical and mental welfare of the child.

Cigarette smoke exposes the mother and child to thousands of toxic chemicals like hydrogen cyanide and carbon monoxide. These toxins are not filtered out by the mother’s body and once in the bloodstream, it quickly reaches the unborn baby.

Effects of Smoking in Pregnancy

The consequences of smoking during pregnancy are numerous and can be far reaching, even posing a risk to the baby’s life. These risks may include :

• Increased risk of abortion (miscarriage).
• Higher risk of stillbirth.
• Delivery of low birth weight babies.
• Premature labor and delivery – premature babies may encounter various health hazards.
• Cleft lip and/or cleft palate and other birth defects are more common.
• Learning disorders, behavioral problems and attention deficit disorders (ADHD).
• Cerebral palsy and mental retardation.
• Respiratory problems such as asthma and susceptibility to colds due to a less efficient immune system.
• Sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS)
• Children of maternal smokers are more likely become cigarette smokers themselves when they get to their teens.

The dangers of cigarette smoking during pregnancy is not limited to the effects it has on the fetus. Mothers are equally at risk of developing life-threatening conditions as a result of complications in pregnancy arising from cigarette smoking.

Effects of Smoking on the Pregnant Mother

Smoking during pregnancy can cause a number of complications beyond the risks associated with cancer, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) like emphysema and coronary artery disease. These potential dangers for the mother include :

• Placenta previa is a condition where the placenta is attached very low down in the uterus and may even block the os (opening of the cervix). Hemorrhage or excessive bleeding during delivery may prove fatal for the mother as well as the baby.
• Abruptio placentae is the premature separation of the placenta from the uterus, leading to hemorrhage. This can put the mother’s and baby’s life at risk as well as necessitate an emergency cesarean section.
• Hypertension (high blood pressure) during and after pregnancy.

Secondary (‘Second Hand’) Smoke during Pregnancy

A pregnant woman who does not smoke may still be at risk if her husband or partner is a smoker. Inhaling second hand smoke may be as dangerous for the baby as when the mother is a smoker herself. Care should be taken to avoid second hand smoke at home and also in public places such as restaurants and parties.

Nicotine is a very addictive substance and quitting cigarette smoking is not an easy to do, even though a pregnant woman may be aware of the dangers posed to her baby and herself. It is advisable to discuss the matter with your doctor and consider methods of quitting cigarette smoking.