Smoking During Pregnancy: Let's talk about your health and that of your baby

If you are a mother-to-be, your health and the health of your unborn baby are very important to you, right? But sometimes, some things we do without realizing it can cause great harm to both of them. Today we are talking about a very dangerous problem that many mothers face. That is smoking during pregnancy. Even if you cannot stop this habit for your own health, you should stop it for the health of your baby .

How does smoking affect the baby?

Simply put, when you smoke a cigarette, hundreds of toxic chemicals, including nicotine (the main chemical that makes cigarettes addictive) and carbon monoxide, enter your bloodstream. That blood then passes directly through the umbilical cord to your developing baby. This means that every time you smoke, your baby is 'drinking' all those toxins. This can have serious effects on the baby's health.

Think about what damage this could cause.

Is exposure to secondhand smoke also dangerous?

Yes, absolutely. Even if you don't smoke, breathing in secondhand smoke when you're around someone who smokes is very harmful to both you and your baby. This is also called 'Passive smoking'.

Surprisingly, the smoke from the end of a cigarette contains more toxins (tar, carbon monoxide, nicotine) than the smoke inhaled by the smoker. If you are continuously exposed to this type of smoke during pregnancy, your risk of stillbirth, low birth weight, birth defects, and other complications during pregnancy increases.

Also, if a baby is exposed to this type of smoke even after birth, it can develop asthma, allergies, and frequent lung and ear infections.

Things you can do to protect your baby

• Don't let anyone smoke in the house.
• Don't let anyone smoke inside your vehicle.
• If it's cold outside, kindly ask people who smoke outside to use a separate jacket for that purpose. If possible, ask them to leave the jacket outside the house. Because the smoke can linger on clothing and come inside the house.
• Avoid taking your baby to places where there is smoking.

What can I do to break this habit?

We know that breaking this habit is not easy. But it is not impossible. There are many ways to help you.

The best thing to do first is to talk to your doctor about this. He or she can help you in the best way possible and refer you for counseling services if necessary.

In addition, here are some other tips to help you break this habit:

• Don't leave things like matches, lighters, and ashtrays visible. Put them away and hide them.
• Make your home a "no smoking" zone.
• Kindly ask smokers not to smoke near you.
• Reduce your intake of caffeinated drinks like coffee. They can increase your urge to smoke. And avoid alcohol altogether. It also encourages smoking and is very harmful to the baby.
• Change your habits related to smoking. For example, if you smoke a cigarette while driving or when you feel stressed, find something else to do instead. Like chewing gum or listening to music.
• Keep sugar-free mints or chewing gum nearby. Use them whenever you feel the urge to smoke.
• Stay active. Go for a walk, do some exercise, read a book, take up a new hobby. This will help you think less about smoking and reduce stress.
• Get help from others. Join support groups that help you quit this habit.
• Avoid going to places where many people smoke, such as bars and clubs.

Is it good to use nicotine replacement?

Nicotine gum and patches are available to help people who are trying to quit smoking, but there is not enough research on how safe they are for pregnant women.

How will I feel after quitting smoking?

Even after a few days of quitting, you and your baby will start to feel the benefits. Both your heart rates will return to normal. The baby will also be less likely to have breathing problems.

However, because your body has become accustomed to nicotine, you may experience some discomfort when you first stop. We call these 'withdrawal symptoms'. These may include cravings for cigarettes, irritability, excessive hunger, frequent coughing, headaches, and difficulty concentrating.

Remember that these symptoms are temporary. Although they may be a little uncomfortable at first, they should go away after 10-14 days. When you feel this discomfort, remind yourself why you decided to quit the habit in the first place. These symptoms are a good sign that your body is healing and getting used to being without cigarettes.

If you suddenly have a cigarette again, don't give up hope. Most people only get rid of it after trying a few times. Don't give up because you failed! Think ahead of time about what you'll do the next time you have a craving.