Why you shouldn't smoke during pregnancy.

Most pregnant mothers probably realize that smoking during pregnancy is putting their unborn child at risk. They may not know, however, the full extent of that risk. There is a long list of possible consequences for a child whose mother smokes while pregnant. Even just inhaling second hand smoke can have negative effects on a fetus. So a mother really has to make sure that she is protecting not only herself, but her baby while she is carrying. There are many safe methods available to help you quit as well as support systems if you don't have support at home. Keep reading to learn more about the effects smoking while pregnant can have on your unborn child.

Smoking during pregnancy can lead to your child's premature death. SIDS is more common in children exposed to the dangers of second hand smoke. A child under the age of one who dies for no apparent cause is the victim of SIDS. Obviously, this is an extremely serious risk for smoking pregnant mothers to take. Education and awareness could go a long way to helping the situation and if more women were made aware of the risks, they might be more willing to quit. We have mentioned in other places that the baby whose mother smoked while pregnant can have seriously compromised lung functions. Lung related issues such as asthma and a greater tendency for pneumonia is more likely in children whose mothers smoke while pregnant. These children are also at a greater risk for bronchitis and other chronic respiratory symptoms. Your child's immune system is also involved with these problems. Because of this, the child is more susceptible to infection.

Parents naturally want their child to do well and to excel, including academically. Smoking while pregnant can have negative effects on the baby's brain and it's development. It all has to do with the unborn baby receiving insufficient amounts of oxygen from the mother. The precise effect this will have in later years is difficult to determine. But smoking during pregnancy has been linked to a wide range of learning problems in children. The consequences of smoking while pregnant are terrible there is no getting around that. Where your child is concerned you aren't giving them a fighting chance if you are smoking during pregnancy. Your breast milk is also affected adversely by nicotine so avoid smoking after pregnancy too. It's ultra important for you to quit and we hope to have given you the motivation to do so. Ask your doctor for help.