Risks of Smoking During Pregnancy

Smoking during pregnancy can lead to a range of complications and health issues for both mother and child:

• Preterm Birth: Women who smoke are more likely to experience preterm labor, which can lead to premature birth. Babies born early are at a higher risk for health problems.
• Low Birth Weight: Smoking reduces the flow of oxygen and nutrients to the baby, leading to low birth weight. Babies born with low birth weight may face immediate and long-term health issues.
• Placental Problems: Smoking increases the risk of placenta previa and placental abruption, conditions where the placenta is improperly positioned or detaches from the uterus prematurely.
• Respiratory Issues: Babies exposed to cigarette smoke in utero are more likely to develop respiratory problems, including asthma and bronchitis.
• Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS): Smoking during pregnancy increases the risk of SIDS, also known as crib death, which is the sudden and unexplained death of an otherwise healthy baby.
• Developmental Delays: Children born to mothers who smoke may experience developmental delays and cognitive impairments.