Why you shouldn't smoke during pregnancy

Many people are aware of the dangers of smoking and being exposed to second hand smoke. It only stands to reason that the dangers of smoking during pregnancy are also extended to the unborn baby. Yes, there have been studies and research performed on the subject. The effects of smoking during pregnancy have been shown during these studies. Medical problems have been positively linked to smoking during pregnancy. Even if the pregnant mother didn't smoke but was exposed to second hand smoke, the baby was still in danger. Keep reading to learn about the serious consequences of smoking while pregnant. The best way to quit if you are pregnant and smoke is to see either your family doctor or your prenatal doctor. You can quit smoking using various methods, approaches, and products. Some of these aids still contain nicotine, however. If you wear a nicotine replacement patch, for example, the nicotine that enters your bloodstream will still be absorbed by your baby. This is a better option than inhaling the hundreds of chemicals found in cigarettes but still poses a threat to your baby's health. Discussing the best approach for you with your doctor is still the recommended way to go. Every year, a certain percentage of pregnancies are ectopic ones. Ectopic pregnancies are when the embryo becomes implanted in the fallopian tube instead of in the uterus as normal. There are numerous complications that arise from an ectopic pregnancy. Women who smoke are more likely to have ectopic pregnancies. Smoking while pregnant can also negatively impact the placenta. This can pose a serious health risk to both the mother and the fetus. It is natural to focus mainly on the immediate physical consequences smoking while pregnant can have on the baby. However, there is more evidence accumulating that suggests a correlation to negative effects more evident in behavioral difficulties. This includes learning disabilities and general behavioral issues. This should be cause for concern to a woman who smokes during pregnancy. The negative effects of smoking on her baby are numerous and are not completely understood. The issues discussed have mainly focused on the unborn baby but these problems don't disappear after birth. These far reaching consequences can stay with the child far into adulthood. The effects of the dire consequences of smoking during pregnancy can last the child's lifetime. This is why it is extremely important to quit smoking for the sake of both the mother and the baby..