How Does Smoking Affect a Fetus?
Smoking during pregnancy is never a good idea, as it can severely affect the unborn child. The nicotine in cigarettes can cause artery spasms. Because blood is sent to the placenta via these arteries, these spasms can reduce the amount of oxygen and nutrients that the baby receives. As a result of nutrient and oxygen deficiency, the child is more likely to have a low birth weight. In fact, women who smoke heavily are twice as likely to give birth to a baby weighing less than 5 ½ pounds. Additionally, smoking can also increase the risk of premature delivery, which can lead to health conditions such as metal retardation, cerebral palsy and even death. The good news, however, is that women who stop smoking by the end of their second trimester drastically reduce their risk of having a premature or low birth weight baby. Complication Risks In addition to premature birth and low birth weight, smoking is also proven to cause pregnancy complications. Women who smoke during their pregnancy are
