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It is crucial to abstain from smoking during pregnancy because it negatively impacts the health of both the mother and the unborn child. Smoking exposes the unborn baby to carcinogens, nicotine, and tar, which can cause significant health issues. These toxins can restrict the baby's oxygen supply, hindering its growth and development.

Mothers who smoke increase the risk of premature birth, low birth weight, and respiratory problems in their babies. Additionally, smoking raises the risk of complications such as stillbirth, miscarriage, and placental issues during pregnancy. For the mother, smoking can lead to high blood pressure, heart problems, and complications during labor. In a conversation with Jagran English, Dr. Prasad Kulat, a senior consultant obstetrician and gynecologist at Ankura Hospital in Pune, discussed the most harmful effects of smoking, especially during pregnancy.

The risks do not end at birth; children of mothers who smoked during pregnancy are at a higher risk of behavioral problems, learning disabilities, and developmental delays later in life. (Image Credit: Canva)

According to Dr. Prasad, smoking causes various life-threatening effects on overall health, particularly in women. It adversely affects a woman's reproductive health and fertility. Women who smoke, regardless of age, may experience fertility issues. The toxic chemicals in cigarettes, such as tar, nicotine, and arsenic, affect the formation and production of eggs, reducing egg quality over time and complicating fertilization. Additionally, smoking impacts the health of both the mother and the baby in the womb. Harmful toxins like nicotine (an addictive chemical) and carbon monoxide (which prevents the blood from carrying sufficient oxygen) can severely affect the baby's development. Due to smoking, the oxygen supply to the baby may decrease significantly, leading to various health complications. 

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Pregnancy complications due to smoking include low birth weight, irregular heartbeat, stillbirth or sudden unexpected death in infants (SUDI), weak lungs leading to respiratory issues, birth defects, and developmental delays. For mothers, smoking increases the chances of miscarriage, premature labor and delivery, abnormal bleeding during pregnancy or delivery, and placental problems.

Quitting smoking choice not only enhances the immediate health of both mother and child but also lays the foundation for long-term well-being.(Image Credit: Canva)

Smoking After Delivery Can Also Be Harmful To The Baby:

If the mother continues to smoke, it can cause various side effects on the baby through breastfeeding. Babies rely entirely on their mother's milk for essential nutrients needed for growth and development. Harmful chemicals in cigarettes, such as nicotine and arsenic, can be passed to the baby through breastfeeding, posing serious health risks. Smoking can also reduce milk production and quality in some women, raising concerns for the baby's nutrition. It is advised that mothers keep their babies away from cigarette smoke, as secondhand smoke can lead to health issues like lung diseases and asthma in infants, whose lungs are delicate and not fully developed. Seeking prenatal care during pregnancy is essential to prevent these complications.

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Finally, Dr. Prasad emphasized that quitting smoking can help protect both the mother and baby during pregnancy. Consulting an expert for smoking cessation therapy before conceiving is recommended to ensure a healthy pregnancy. Smoking kills, so why wait? Quit smoking to improve the quality of life for both you and your baby.