Quit Smoking, Save Babies

Just how bad is smoking during pregnancy? To banish any doubts about the severe harm caused by smoking to babies and pregnant women, a comprehensive systematic review of all studies over the past 50 years has been undertaken. The conclusion? Maternal smoking causes a range of serious birth defects including heart defects, missing/deformed limbs, clubfoot, gastrointestinal disorders, and facial disorders.

The new study, “Maternal smoking in pregnancy and birth defects: a systematic review based on 173,687 malformed cases and 11.7 million controls,” undertaken by a team led by Allan Hackshaw, Cancer Research UK & UCL Cancer Trials Centre, University College London, will be published online today in Human Reproduction Update from the European Society of Human Reproduction and Embryology.

Smoking during pregnancy is also a risk factor for premature birth, says Dr. Michael Katz, senior Vice President for Research and Global Programs of the March of Dimes. The March of Dimes urges all women planning a pregnancy or who are pregnant to quit smoking now to reduce their chance of having a baby born prematurely or with a serious birth defect. Babies who survive being born prematurely and at low birthweight are at risk of other serious health problems, Dr. Katz notes, including lifelong disabilities such as cerebral palsy, intellectual disabilities and learning problems. Smoking also can make it harder to get pregnant, and increases the risk of stillbirth.

Unborn babies are exposed to dangerous chemicals like nicotine, carbon monoxide and tar from maternal smoking, depriving the baby of oxygen needed for healthy growth and development.

According to the press release for the study, smoking during pregnancy can also cause problems for a woman’s own health, including: ectopic pregnancy; vaginal bleeding; placental abruption, in which the placenta peels away, partially or almost completely, from the uterine wall before delivery; placenta previa, a low-lying placenta that covers part or all of the opening of the uterus.

Smoking is also known to cause cancer, heart disease, stroke, gum disease and eye diseases that can lead to blindness.

Disclaimer: The views expressed above are solely those of the author and may not reflect those of
Care2, Inc., its employees or advertisers.

Teresa W.

4:53AM PST on Mar 10, 2012

Well said, Jane!

send a green star

paul m.

9:37AM PST on Mar 9, 2012

thanks,,,

Sarah L.

5:38PM PST on Mar 8, 2012

It's sad to see mother smoke. Don't they know that they are harming their babies?I get so furious at the mothers for they should know better. And why aren't people concerned about stopping abortions? It's the same thing as harming your baby.

Jane B.

9:34PM PST on Feb 24, 2012

People still smoke? Who is stupid enough to do that? Everybody knows smoking causes lung cancer.

Diane C N.

9:14PM PST on Feb 24, 2012

30 years ago, I was teaching prenatal classes. I told women the importance of quitting (including the increased incidence of perinatal death).

Several doctors phoned and went up one side of me and down the other. "If they quit, they'll be stressed and that's hard on the baby," they insisted. I continued anyway.

I cannot believe that after so long and so much evidence, women still smoke while pregnant. I understand it's an extremely difficult to quit but if you cannot quit for the sake of your baby's health and possibly very life, when can you?

Brad J.

9:17AM PST on Feb 21, 2012

It will not only save your baby if you quit, but it will save you and any other person who lives in your home.

Serena A.

7:16PM PDT on Sep 27, 2011

smoking is stupid

7:15PM PDT on Sep 27, 2011

Margriet M.

3:53AM PDT on Aug 18, 2011

Thanks for the article.
I have never in my whole life even thought about smoking, rest of my family smoked. It's expensive and unhealty, why on earth would you do it.. I can't understand some pregnant women smoke, if it's not good for an adult, think about what it means for a baby...would you give a baby a smoke...no that would be cruel.. Why then you're unborn...

Maria A.

9:03AM PDT on Aug 8, 2011

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