Is smoking dangerous during pregnancy? (Smoking in Pregnancy) Let's talk about this!

This is a very special time for you, a mother-to-be, isn't it? You think about so many things and are so careful about the little one in your belly. So, during this precious time, there are some habits that can negatively affect your health as well as your baby's. One thing we definitely need to talk about is smoking during pregnancy. You may not want to hear this, but it's important to know this for the sake of your baby.

Why is smoking during pregnancy so dangerous?

Simply put, when you smoke , nicotine , carbon monoxide, and thousands of other dangerous chemicals from cigarettes enter your body. These are absorbed into your bloodstream and pass directly to your growing baby through the umbilical cord without any obstruction. Just as your baby gets nourishment from the food you eat and drink, these toxic chemicals also pass to your baby in the same way. This can have a major impact on the baby's development.

Similarly, some people these days think that using electronic cigarettes (e-cigarettes) or vaping instead of cigarettes is safe during pregnancy. Don't even think that! They also contain nicotine and other harmful chemicals. So they are also harmful to the baby. Therefore, quitting this habit as soon as possible is the best thing you can do for you and your baby.

What are the things we should definitely avoid during pregnancy?

Pregnancy is a very sensitive time. You need to think twice about everything you put into your body during this time. In particular, you should completely avoid tobacco and anything that contains nicotine.

Here are some things you should definitely get rid of:

• Regular cigarettes
• Cigars
• Electronic cigarettes (e-cigarettes) (this includes vape pens and other vaping devices)
• Smokeless tobacco (for example, chewing tobacco, chewing tobacco, etc.)
• Water pipes like hookahs

In addition to these things, there is another thing you should be very careful about . That is, avoid being in places where other people smoke . That means if your husband, friends, family members, or someone at your workplace smokes, that smoke is very harmful to you and your baby. We call this ``passive smoking`` or ``secondhand smoke`` .

Just think, even if you don't smoke, if you inhale the smoke from someone else's cigarette, the toxic chemicals in it will enter your body as well. It will affect the baby just like if you smoked a cigarette.

So, if someone is smoking in your area, especially indoors, kindly ask them to go outside and do so. If you are outdoors, ask them to smoke a little further away from you. It may be difficult to say so, but it is important for your child. If you can, it is best to stay away from places where people smoke.

Medical experts also advise that you completely avoid using drugs like marijuana during this time, as it can also negatively affect the baby's development.

What are the possible risks to the baby?

Smoking during pregnancy, or being exposed to secondhand smoke, can cause serious health problems for your unborn baby. It's important for you to be aware of these risks.

Here are some of those risks:

• There is a higher chance of miscarriage or stillbirth. This is a very sad situation. Smoking can deprive the fetus of oxygen and nutrition. It can cause these conditions.
• Premature birth. A baby born before the 9th month of gestation can have many health problems because organs such as the baby's lungs and brain may not be fully developed.
• Low birth weight. A baby may be born with a lower birth weight than normal. Such babies are more likely to develop diseases and may develop slowly.
• Birth defects. For example, conditions such as a cleft lip or a cleft palate can occur. These can affect the baby's appearance, eating, and speaking.
• Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS). This is a very dangerous condition. A healthy baby can suddenly die in their sleep. This risk is higher for babies born to mothers who smoke.
• Asthma and other respiratory diseases may develop later in life. As the baby grows older, he may develop respiratory diseases such as wheezing and coughing more frequently. He may also develop frequent lung infections.

Imagine how sad it is to know that your little one is facing so many risks before they even come into this world. That's why we all talk about this so much.

Can I get help to quit smoking?

Yes, you can! Becoming a mother is a great opportunity to kick the habit. This is not something you should do alone. Talk to your doctor about this. He or she can help you find ways to help.

We know that quitting smoking is not easy because nicotine is highly addictive . That's true. But it's not impossible. With determination and the right help, you can definitely get over it.

Even in Sri Lanka, there are organizations and programs that help you quit smoking. You can get help from such places. Also, your family, husband, and friends need to give you a lot of support at this time. With their help, this journey will be easier for you.

You can also find information and support services on the Internet. For example:

• `Smoking Quitline` (Smoking Quitline)
• `Quit Tobacco` (tobacco cessation programs)
• `Smokefree.gov` (Websites like this have a lot of information, but they are mostly in English)

In Sri Lanka, there are opportunities to learn about this and get advice through institutions such as the Alcohol and Drug Information Center (ADIC) under the Ministry of Health. You can find out about this from your local Medical Officer of Health (MOH) office or through your Family Health Service Officer (Midwife).

Remember, the protection your baby receives from not smoking every cigarette is priceless. Your dedication will give you great strength to bring a healthy child into this world.

Let's remember the most important things (Take-Home Message)

Okay, so let's remind you again of the points you need to take into account from what we've talked about.

• Smoking during pregnancy is very dangerous for you and your unborn baby. Cigarettes, cigars, vapes, and hookahs are all harmful.
• Breathing in smoke from other people smoking (`passive smoking`) is also dangerous. So stay away from such environments as much as possible.
• Smoking can cause serious risks such as miscarriage, low birth weight, premature birth, birth defects, and SIDS .
• It's never too late to quit smoking. There are many ways and organizations that can help you. Talk to your doctor first.
• The little one in your belly is your greatest strength. Making this sacrifice for that little life will bring you great joy.

As a mother, this decision you make will affect your child's entire life. A healthy, happy child is every mother's dream. May you find the strength to make that dream come true!

` Smoking, pregnancy, nicotine, baby's health, smoking cessation, passive smoking, birth defects