Pregnancy And Baby Care Articles During Pregnancy

In women who are pregnant, these chemicals restrict the flow of the blood vessels that perform the function of carrying oxygen to the baby, through the umbilical cord. Several birth-related problems could occur, if the baby does not receive an adequate supply of oxygen, like premature delivery, low birth weight and even cases of still birth. Statistics show that smoking during pregnancy risks include a higher chance of a stillborn baby.

It has also been observed that the more a woman smokes when she is pregnant, the lower her baby's birth weight will be. Low birth weight means that the baby will weigh less than five and a half pounds at birth. There is a very high chance the small or underweight babies have lungs that are not developed fully and such babies need to be kept in intensive care. They also require assistance in breathing. Such babies may be more prone to asthma later on in life. Premature and low weight babies face the risks of mental retardation as well as cerebral palsy. Nicotine can also affect the baby's brain which can lead to several learning disorders like Hyperactivity Disorder or Attention Deficiency Disorder. It has also been noticed that babies born to mothers who smoked during pregnancy have lower IQ levels and behavioral concerns and they tend to be more restless. This is one symptom of withdrawal from nicotine to which they have probably already become addicted. Such children are also much more likely to start smoking at a younger age. However, one of the most dangerous risks of smoking is sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS). In fact, children face high possibilities of this, even if their fathers smoke.

Smoking is not just dangerous for the child, but could cause problems for the mother-to-be too. It could have a negative effect on the nervous system lead to increased heart rate and high blood pressure. Therefore, for the safety of their unborn babies as well as their own health, pregnant women should strictly avoid smoking.

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