Effects Of Smoking In Maternity

Pregnancy is the most pleasant and important phase in every woman’s life. It is the most awaited moment for her. It is very essential to take good care of woman’s health during pregnancy. She should have balanced, healthy diet, appropriate exercise, regular health check-up and sufficient rest. She should strictly avoid alcohol and smoking. Smoking causes very serious effects on the health of the mother and baby.

Cigarettes affect the blood circulation of mother which affects the baby. The baby in the uterus totally depends on mother for the nourishment and oxygen supply. The placenta is the lifeline between the baby and mother. Due to smoking, oxygen in the blood is replaced by carbon monoxide. It is a poisonous gas that affects the body tissues, muscles and brain.

Due to deficiency of oxygen, the baby suffers from hypoxia. It causes long term effects on the health of the baby. The most immediate effect is that the movements of the baby inside the uterus slow down. The heart rate increases because the baby tries to get more oxygen. If the mother has smoked a single cigarette, the movements of the baby are reduced for about thirty minutes.

The main function of placenta is to supply the nutrients to the baby. Smoking increases the risk of low birth weight baby. Such baby needs the intensive care. The placenta acts as a barrier for some dangerous substances. However, some of the substances get through it. Carbon monoxide, nicotine and other chemicals present in the tobacco smoke are passed to the baby. There are about 4000 hazardous chemicals present in the cigarette. Out of them, more than 30 chemicals are known carcinogens. Nicotine-derived nitrosaminoketone is one the strongest cancer causing agents found in the tobacco products.

Nicotine is carried through the bloodstream to the brain. Then, it spreads in rest of the body. 80% of nicotine is converted to cotinine by the enzymes present in the liver. It causes the contraction of the womb. Due to mother’s smoking, the fetus is exposed to the same level of nicotine.

Smoking reduces the blood flow in the placenta. It causes the decreased nutrient supply to the fetus. Maternal smoking is related to the higher risk of cancer in the children. It can also increase the risk of asthma in children. Smoking during pregnancy affects the physical growth and intellectual development of the child.

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