Tobacco Use During Pregnancy

Smoking during pregnancy can cause many problems for both the mother and the baby.  We highly recommend that mothers do not smoke before, during or after pregnancy.  We will be happy to guide you to programs that will help you to quit.

Smoking during pregnancy has a number of effects on the health and well being of the fetus.  There are 2500 chemicals in tobacco smoke.  These chemicals can cross the placenta and harm your fetus.  It is not known what effect all the chemicals have, but nicotine and carbon monoxide
have been shown to be very dangerous.  Smoking anytime during the month before pregnancy to the end of the 1st trimester increases the likelihood of having a baby with birth defects, particularly congenital heart defects.

Smoking during pregnancy can lead to poor fetal growth, preterm delivery and doubles the risk of having a baby with low birth weight.  Low weight at birth (less than 5 ½ lbs) puts a baby at risk for complications. Babies exposed to smoking before birth have an increased risk of problems during the newborn period, may suffer lifelong disabilities (including cerebral palsy, mental retardation, and learning problems) and even death.   Newborns born to smoking moms are more jittery and difficult to calm.  Babies exposed to smoke are 3x more likely to die of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome.  Even second hand smoke can cause interuterine growth restriction and low birthweight.  
                                                           
Smoking doubles the risk of placental problems including placenta previa and placental abruption.  Both of these conditions can lead to severe bleeding that if not treated immediately can lead to fetal and maternal death.  Smoking also causes the placenta to age prematurely which can lead to low fetal birth weight and premature delivery.  The risk of premature rupture of the membranes is also increased with smoking, which leads to premature delivery.

After birth children exposed to smoking have a higher risk of lower respiratory illnesses like bronchitis and pneumonia, ear infections, asthma and Sudden Infant Death Syndrome.  Do not smoke in your home and do not allow visitors to smoke.

Alcohol Consumption During Pregnancy

There is never a safe time or safe amount to drink during pregnancy.  Even light drinking can have negative consequences on the developing fetus.  Drinking during pregnancy increases the risk of miscarriage, stillbirth, and low birthweight babies.  You should completely avoid the use of alcohol during pregnancy.

Alcohol passes very quickly to the fetus when you drink.  A fetus can not process alcohol as quickly as an adult.  The level of alcohol in a babies blood stays higher longer and may cause lifelong damage to the fetus. Many people are unaware that even a small amount of alcohol can cause major problems.  No amount of alcohol is safe during pregnancy.

Drinking alcohol during pregnancy increases the risk of low birth weight babies (weighing less than 5 ½ lbs), miscarriage and stillbirth.  It can also cause birth defects ranging from: mental retardation; learning, behavioral or emotional problems; heart, facial and other organ defects.  Heavy drinking can cause Fetal Alcohol Syndrome, an incurable combination of physical and mental defects.  FAS babies suffer low birth weight, and remain small as they age.  They have small eyes and a thin upper lip.  The may have heart and brain defects.  Babies with FAS often have mental retardation, poor coordination, vision and hearing problems, a short attention span and emtional and behavioral problems. 

Studies show that children exposed to moderate drinking during pregnancy are more impulsive, hyperactive, and have more behavioral and psychiatric problems.  These problems are all preventable - by not drinking during pregnancy.

If you have been drinking and are already pregnant or trying to get pregnant, STOP DRINKING NOW!  If you need help to stop drinking please speak to your health care provider.

Helpful Links:

www.myquitpath.com/ - this is a good comprehensive website with various cessation websites and resources.  Interactive.
www.raisesmokefreekids.com – excellent website dedicated to reducing children and infants to secondhand smoke.  Very interactive.
www.becomeanex.org – cessation website that provides educational handouts and video to help people quit smoking along with assisting in developing a quit plan.