My pregnant patient doesn want to quit smoking because she doesn want another 12 pound baby. What can I tell her?
While the association between low birthweight and easy delivery may invite continued cigarette usage during pregnancy, pregnant patients should be cautioned that low birthweight is also associated with increased likelihood of neonatal intensive care admission. In turn, this is usually associated with increased hospital stay (delaying time to return home) increased expenses, and of course, increased sickness and risk of death for the infant.
