8 major dangers of smoking while pregnant, explained clearly:
1. Reduced Oxygen Supply to the Baby
Cigarette smoke contains carbon monoxide and nicotine, which limit oxygen flow through the placenta. This can lead to slower fetal growth and development.
2. Premature Birth
Smoking increases the risk of giving birth before the baby is fully developed, which can result in breathing issues, feeding problems, infections, and long-term developmental delays.
3. Low Birth Weight
Babies exposed to smoking in the womb are often born smaller and underweight. Low birth weight is linked to difficulty regulating body temperature, weak immune function, and long-term health challenges.
4. Placental Problems
Smoking can damage the placenta, causing:
5. Increased Risk of Miscarriage and Stillbirth
Toxins in cigarette smoke can interfere with fetal growth and survival, increasing the likelihood of pregnancy loss or stillbirth.
6. Birth Defects
Smoking raises the risk of structural defects such as:
7. Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS)
Babies exposed to cigarette smoke (during pregnancy or after birth) have a significantly higher risk of unexplained sudden death during sleep.
8. Long-Term Behavioral and Learning Problems
Children exposed to nicotine in the womb may later experience:
Conclusion
Smoking during pregnancy is dangerous for both mother and baby due to restricted oxygen, toxic exposure, and developmental harm. Quitting — even partway through pregnancy — greatly improves outcomes. Support from doctors, counselors, and nicotine cessation programs can help.
Getting pregnant
If you smoke and want to get pregnant, quitting the habit should be a priority. Smoking can prevent you from getting pregnant in the first place. Even in the
first trimester smoking affects the health of your unborn baby. Both male and female smokers are about twice as likely to have issues with
fertility compared to nonsmokers, according to the
American Society for Reproductive Medicine.
Miscarriage and stillbirth
The unexpected loss of a pregnancy is a tragic event at any stage. Miscarriages typically occur in the first three months of pregnancy. On rare occasions, they can occur after 20 weeks of gestation. This is called a stillbirth.
Other complications from smoking can lead to problems with the placenta or slow fetal development. These issues can also cause a miscarriage or stillbirth.
Ectopic pregnancy
Nicotine can cause contractions in the
fallopian tubes. These contractions can prevent an embryo from passing through. One possible result of this is an
ectopic pregnancy. This happens when a fertilized egg implants outside of the
uterus, either in the fallopian tube, or in the abdomen. In this situation, the embryo must be removed to avoid life-threatening complications to the mother.
Placental abruption
The placenta is the “lifeline” structure that forms during pregnancy to provide the fetus with nutrients and oxygen. Smoking is a major risk factor for several complications linked to the placenta. One such problem is placenta abruption. This is a condition in which the placenta separates from the uterus before childbirth. Placenta abruption can cause severe bleeding and threaten the life of both the mother and the baby. There’s no surgery or treatment to reattach it. Immediate medical attention may help increase the chance of a healthy birth despite placenta abruption.
Placenta previa
Smoking is also a risk factor for placenta previa. During pregnancy, the placenta normally grows in the uterus towards the top of the womb. This leaves the cervix open for delivery. Placenta previa is when the placenta stays in the lower part of the uterus, partially or fully covering the cervix. The placenta often tears, causing excessive bleeding and depriving the fetus of vital nutrients and oxygen.
Smoking during pregnancy can cause preterm birth. That’s when a baby is born too early. There are numerous health risks associated with a preterm birth. These can include:
Low birth weight
Smoking can also cause babies to be born with a low birth weight. This doesn’t just mean delivering a small baby. Low birth rate can also lead to other health problems and disabilities. Advances in medical care have reduced the number of deaths as a result of low birth weight. But it’s still a serious condition that can result in:
In extreme cases, low birth weight can cause the death of the newborn.
According to the
American Cancer Society, women who quit smoking before getting pregnant lower their risk of having a baby with a low birth weight. Even women who stop smoking during their pregnancy are less likely to have babies with low birth weight than women who keep smoking.
Smoking during pregnancy raises the risk of your baby being born with birth defects. The most common types of problems are congenital heart defects and problems with the structure of the heart. Other health issues that have been linked to smoking while pregnant include cleft lip and cleft palate.
The unfortunate truth
Many pregnant women still smoke despite the known risks the habit will create for themselves and their babies.10 percent of women report that they smoked during the last three months of pregnancy. The only real way to avoid pregnancy complications associated with smoking is to quit.
