Potentially Lethal Effects of Smoking while Pregnant

Most women know if they smoke while pregnant they are putting their unborn child at risk. But many may not know the full extent of the risk. There are so many possible risks and negative consequences for the baby whose mother smoked while she was pregnant. Not only that, but even inhaling second hand smoke will have negative effects on a fetus. A pregnant woman isn't just protecting herself but also her unborn child. There are many methods to quit smoking safely and for those that need the support, there are support groups available. Keep reading to learn more about the effects smoking while pregnant can have on your unborn child.

One of the known worst case consequences from smoking during pregnancy is death for the child. Also, there are real dangers associated with second hand smoke, one of which is the increased chance of the baby dying from SIDS, or Sudden Infant Death Syndrome. SIDS is when a child under the age of one dies with no apparent cause as to why. As a pregnant mother, this is obviously a very serious risk to take with your child. We tend to feel that education and awareness can go a long way and if more smoking mothers were aware of the dangers, more of them would quit smoking.

Ectopic pregnancies make up a certain percentage of pregnancies every year. An ectopic pregnancy occurs when the embryo implants itself in the fallopian tube instead of the uterus. There are numerous complications that arise from an ectopic pregnancy. As you may imagine, already, women who smoke while pregnant have a significant risk of an ectopic pregnancy. The placenta can also be negatively impacted by smoking during pregnancy. These are serious health risks for both the mother and the fetus.

Many people are now aware of the increasing incidence and diagnosis of ADHD, or Attention Deficit - Hyperactivity Disorder, in children. In fact, millions of diagnoses are made each year, and the figure appears to be climbing each year. While there are many causes for ADHD, researchers know that a pregnant woman who smokes at least half a pack a day increases the tendency of hyperactivity in your child. This increases the child's risk of being diagnosed with ADHD.

For women who smoke during pregnancy, this should be a tremendous cause for concern.

The highly negative effects of smoking during pregnancy are not fully understood at this time. While the discussed effects have been regarding the unborn baby, these effects won't disappear after birth. The child will most likely be dealing with the consequences of their mother smoking while pregnant their entire life. Your child could have to deal with the dire consequences of you smoking while pregnant for their entire life. For the sake of both mother and child, it is vital to quit smoking during pregnancy.