Though it may seem a no-brainer, smoking while you are pregnant puts you and your child at risk for some severe health problems in life. The effects of smoking while pregnant are so disastrous that they can lead to some of the most harmful and frightening long-term health problems that you could ever imagine. If you are still not convinced that you’re causing your unborn child any harm, perhaps you should consider the risks associated with smoking.
Women who smoke during pregnancy are at higher risk of having their child prematurely. This means that your child can be of subnormal length, may have a smaller cranial width, and most certainly will be underweight. The risks of having a premature baby are at times devastating – resulting in the child having a hard time breathing on their own for the first few weeks after birth and/or having multiple visits to the doctor within the first eight months of their life.
Babies exposed to smoke during pregnancy also have a higher risk of being exposed to toxic blood through the placenta and umbilical cord. Your child may suffer from asthma, Attention Deficit Disorder (ADD), or chronic ear infections during their lifetime. Moreover, you are at the risk of suffering a miscarriage if you continue to smoke during the pregnancy.
Avoid the harmful effects of smoking while pregnant as it can cause your unborn child serious harm. Your pregnancy can be a wonderful gift; not only will you have a beautiful baby but it can also be the springboard to a new smoke-free life.
