The effects of smoking during pregnancy are detrimental on both the woman and the child. These range from somewhat mild to very extreme. Also, the effects of smoking during pregnancy does not only effect the baby but has continual effect through childhood and possible adulthood.
Complications in the Mother
The complications that they mother may experience because of the effects of smoking during pregnancy can occur both during pregnancy and delivery. The mother can be hospitalized due to excessive vomiting, develop urinary tract infections, or have a ectopic pregnancy, which is when the fertilized egg does not grow in the correct place.
Also, the placenta can separate from the uterine wall before delivery or there can be too much amniotic fluid. Since the effects of smoking during pregnancy can cause the mother to have a miscarriage or a stillbirth, psychological problems, such as depression, can arise. Finally, death of the mother can occur due to hemorrhage during childbirth.
Complications in the Child
The effects of smoking during pregnancy on a child can be assigned into four categories. The four categories are size, genetic abnormalities, illnesses possibly developed later in childhood, and death.
The size of the newborn is greatly altered due to smoking for two reasons. The first of the two is preterm delivery. Second, the size is altered because rather than nutrients crossing the placenta, chemicals such as nicotine and carbon monoxide reach the baby. Without the nutrients, the baby is often underweight, which increase his or her chances of becoming ill.
The effects of smoking during pregnancy can also cause genetic abnormalities. The abnormalities can be cleft lip and cleft palate. Also, bowel problems can be experienced. Abnormalities can also occur in sensory systems such as the eyes and ears. More severe consequences are also seen. These include spinal cord problems, cerebral palsy, and mental retardation.
Consequences can also develop later in childhood. In early childhood, respiratory problems, such as asthma, can be seen. Also, behavior disorders often times develop in toddlers. Other consequences can be seen in adolescents, which include increased likelihood of smoking themselves. The worst consequence of the effects of smoking during pregnancy is sudden infant death syndrome, which is also known as SIDS.
The effects of smoking during pregnancy is a major issue that women, men, parents, and children have to deal with. These effects not only touch the lives of mothers and the fetus but the newborn baby, toddler, and then the teenager in the future, with possible problems as an adult.
