I Smoked Through My Entire Pregnancy

I smoked through my entire pregnancy. During pregnancy, the dangers of cigarette smoking are even greater for both the mother and the unborn child. The fetus can experience various problems, such as miscarriage, premature birth, or birth defects.

Cigarette smoking has been proven to cause various health problems for pregnant women and fetuses. Both mothers who are active or passive smokers are at risk of experiencing various problems in pregnancy. For example, miscarriage and premature labor. In addition, the baby can later be born with low birth weight.

It should be noted that low birth weight babies have a higher risk of death and are prone to infections, respiratory problems, and long-term health problems until they grow up. For this reason, mothers must avoid cigarette smoke if they do not want to experience the harmful effects of cigarette smoke on their fetuses.

If your husband or family at home is a smokers, you should give them understanding so that they stop smoking or not smoke at home. Well, here are some dangers of cigarette smoke for the fetus that you need to watch out for.

How does smoking affect a fetus?

How can a fetus be affected by smoking? Cigarette smoke is a toxic mixture containing more than 7,000 chemical compounds. Air polluted with cigarette smoke is dangerous to breathe, both for active smokers and passive smokers.

Meanwhile, in pregnant women, the risk is even greater for both the mother and the fetus. Because the poison that is inhaled is at risk of poisoning the fetus in the womb. That is why pregnant women need to be aware of the dangers of cigarette smoke for their fetuses. The following are some of the dangers that can occur to a fetus exposed to cigarette smoke while in the womb:

Miscarriage

The effects of cigarette smoking on the fetus for the first fetus is that it can increase the risk of miscarriage in the first trimester. Miscarriage not only harms the fetus, but also the mother.

Low Birth Weight Babies

In general, a normal baby’s weight at birth is from 2.9 kilograms to 3.6 kilograms. The baby’s weight is said to be low if it weighs less than 2.5 kilograms. This condition may make the baby have respiratory problems, are prone to infections, and have low sugar levels.

Premature Birth

The dangers of cigarette smoke for the next fetus are babies born prematurely or prematurely. This of course can trigger some serious health problems for the baby, such as respiratory problems. Because cigarette smoke can have a negative effect on the development of the fetal lungs.

Premature babies are also more prone to:

• Infection.
• Jaundice.
• Difficulty breastfeeding.
• Digestive tract disorders.
• Nervous system disorders.
• Having a brain hemorrhage.

Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS)

This is a syndrome that can cause a baby to lose his life suddenly while he is sleeping, even though he previously seemed fine. Sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS) occurs in infants who are less than one year old. This condition can occur allegedly due to abnormalities in the part of the brain that regulates the baby’s breathing, and the baby’s sleep condition that inhibits his breathing.

Placenta Solution

The placenta is a structure formed during pregnancy to provide nutrients and oxygen to the fetus. Smoking or inhaling secondhand smoke is a major risk factor for several complications related to the placenta. One such problem is placental abruption.

This condition occurs when the placenta separates from the uterus before delivery. Placental abruption can cause heavy bleeding and be life-threatening for both mother and baby. Until now there has been no surgery or treatment to overcome it.

Placenta Previa

Smoking is also a risk factor for placenta previa. During pregnancy, the placenta usually grows in the uterus until it reaches the top of the uterus. This leaves the cervix open for delivery.

Placenta previa is a condition when the placenta remains in the lower part of the uterus, partially or completely covering the cervix. The placenta can tear and cause excessive bleeding. If that happens, then important nutrients and oxygen for the fetus are not delivered.

Read also: What the Pregnancy Nutrition That Must be Known?

Birth Defect

The danger of inhaling cigarette smoke for the next fetus is a birth defect. The most common types of problems are congenital heart defects and problems with the structure of the heart. Other health problems associated with cigarette acid are cleft lip and cleft palate.

That is the danger of cigarette smoke for the fetus that mothers and fathers need to know. Stop smoking when you find out you are pregnant. If necessary before planning a pregnancy.

If you experience problems with the condition of the fetus or pregnancy, immediately consult a gynecologist.