Pregnant Women Should Not Deny Smoking
According to a new report, many pregnant women deny smoking when asked. Likely women do this because it's common knowledge...
According to a new report, many pregnant women deny smoking when asked. Likely women do this because it's common knowledge that you shouldn't smoke while pregnant. Smoking while pregnant may result in an ectopic pregnancy, vaginal bleeding, placental abruption, placenta previa and stillbirth - but these issues are just the tip of a much larger iceberg. In fact, smoking during pregnant is one of the most common reasons for 100% preventable illnesses and deaths among babies in the United States. Babies born to women who smoke are more likely to be born with birth defects such as cleft lip or palate. Babies born to smokers are also more likely to be born premature or with a low-birth-weight. Babies born to smokers may even be psychotic! Yikes. If women aren't admitting to smoking, then how did researchers find out? According to reports, blood samples of women can measure levels of cotinine -a byproduct of nicotine. The blood samples, taken from 994 pregnant women show that about 1 in 4 pregnant women smoke. That's an astounding amount, about 13% of pregnant women. Researchers note that the numbers could be higher though, especially among younger pregnant women. If you're pregnant, you should know...
- When you smoke, it's like your baby is smoking because what you take in does pass to your baby via the placenta. He's exposed to dangerous chemicals like nicotine, carbon monoxide and tar. Plus when you smoke, your baby isn't getting as much oxygen as he should.
- Your midwife or doctor have seen pregnant women who smoke before. You're not shocking anyone and you don't need to hide it. Discussing your habit with your care provider is very important and increases the odds of you getting help to quit.
- Pregnant women rock at quitting smoking. Pregnant women have a much higher success rate than the average person when it comes to quitting, so now is an excellent time to quit.
- Nicotine replacement therapy may be safe during pregnancy, so talk to your midwife or doctor about it.
- Smoking pot, even occasionally is as bad as smoking cigarettes.
- Smoking while breastfeeding is bad news too!
