When you smoke, so does your baby. If your health isn't enough to make you quit smoking, then the health of your baby should be. Smoking during pregnancy affects you and your baby's health before, during, and after your baby is born.
When you smoke you inhale poisons such as nicotine, lead, arsenic and carbon monoxide. These poisons get into the placenta, which is the tissue that connects you to your baby and sends oxygen and nutrients and eliminates wastes. Smoking significantly increases the risk of pregnancy complications, some of which can be fatal for the mother or the baby.
Dangers of Smoking While Pregnant:
- Miscarriage and stillbirth
- Preterm birth
- Low birth weight
- Birth defects, etc.
If you are thinking about quitting, be prepared.
Here are a few tips to help you while quitting:
1. Make a list of all the reasons and benefits of quitting. Some benefits for your baby, for example, lowers the risk of your baby having health problems, etc. and some benefits for you like lowers the risk of future health problems such as heart disease, cancer, and lung problems, etc.
2. Change your daily habits. E.g. Instead of smoking when you read start drinking milk shake or eating a small healthy snack.
3. Have a strong support system. Trying to quit smoking is hard, and having a friend or family member to call when you are on the verge of taking a smoke can really help make a difference. It is also helpful if you are around others who do not smoke.
4. When you feel an urge to smoke, simply look at the list you wrote of reasons to quit.
5. Keep mints or gum (preferably sugarless) on hand for those times when you get the urge to smoke.
6. Stay active to keep your mind off smoking and help relieve tension: take a walk, exercise, read a book, or try a new hobby.