A Mother's Job

For most women, smoking cigarettes while pregnant wouldn't even cross their minds, but in other cases being pregnant doesn't stop them from their addiction. In the article, “Smoking during pregnancy: lessons learned from epidemiological studies and experimental studies using animal models,” written by Louise C. Abbott states that, “smoking while pregnant has deleterious effects on fetal development as well as long-term adverse consequences on postnatal development and maternal organ development.” There are so many defects that can occur to the baby and the woman just by on cigarette.  As stated in this article by Chris Woolston, women who smoke while being pregnant are at higher risk for complications when giving birth. It is said by ob-gyn Robert Welch that, “’Smoking cigarettes is probably the No.1 cause of adverse outcomes for babies.’” (Woolston) Throughout all the complications that can occur during pregnancy, “Pregnant women who can’t quit smoking” (Woolston) are one of Robert Welch’s greatest fears. This article successfully tells the readers how much smoking while pregnant can be and the affects it has on the woman and the baby. Although there are women who smoke while they are pregnant, most women who find out they are pregnant, are most likely try to quit for their baby.

I found out how many negative consequences smoking cigarettes that can cause to the woman and baby. The consequences of smoking while pregnant are premature birth, babies born too small and even those who die before they’re born at all. Robert Welch’s opinion is that “pregnancies would be safer and babies would be healthier if pregnant smokers could swap their habit for a serious disease such as diabetes or high blood pressure.” (Woolston) Although both diabetes and high blood pressure are serious diseases they are medical issues that could at the least be controlled with medication, it would be better to have either disease rather than to endanger both the mother and unborn baby by smoking while pregnant. “Nothing can protect a baby from danger” when it comes to pregnant women who smoke.

Cigarettes are extremely dangerous and can contain “more than 4,000 chemicals” (Woolston) such as cyanide, lead and over 60 cancer-causing compounds. When a woman smokes during pregnancy the toxins from the cigarettes get carried in her bloodstream which is the baby’s sole source of oxygen and nutrients. Of these dangerous chemicals that enter not only the mother, but the baby as well, two are most lethal; nicotine and carbon monoxide. “These two toxins account for almost every smoking-related complications in pregnancy”. (Woolston) Serious complications would include stillbirth, premature delivery and low birth weight due to the low oxygen rate received by the baby. Nicotine is a drug which cuts off oxygen as it narrows blood vessels in the body, including the umbilical cord.

Having a short amount of oxygen could lead to an effect on the baby’s growth and development tremendously such as problems in their heart, lungs, and brain. “On average, smoking during pregnancy doubles the chances that a baby will be born too early or weigh less than five an half pounds at birth” (Woolston). There would be negative consequences that could affect a child throughout their life span. Babies who are born premature may be born with underdeveloped bodies; their lungs may not be stable enough to work on their own, their brain functions could deteriorate, and there is a high risk of a heart defect. “In a U.S. CDC study…these babies’ risk of having certain types of congenital heart defects was 20 to 70 percent higher than it was for babies who moms who didn’t smoke” (Woolston). A defect of the heart includes an obstruction of the flow of blood from the heart to the lungs.

One way I have found that could help your cravings was exercising. It was said that exercise can help reduce nicotine cravings. “A brisk walk has been shown to temporarily reduce the effects of nicotine. Exercise was known to interrupt nicotine cravings for men and women[…]As little as 15 to 20 minutes of walking at a mild to moderate pace was found to ward off cravings” (Exercise cuts Tobacco Cravings in Pregnancy). Not only will it reduce the cravings of smoking, it helps you and your baby to a healthier life. “Exercise can prevent excess weight gain during pregnancy, prevent gestational diabetes and lower the risk of birth complications. Being more fit can also help with pregnancy-related aches and pains, which makes labor and recovery a bit easier” (Exercise cuts Tobacco Cravings in Pregnancy). Exercising everyday little by little can help women reduce stress, to get more sleep, and keep your baby healthy.

I strongly believe woman should give up their habit on smoking, not only for the baby but for themselves; women who do smoke have leading health problems over woman who do not smoke. The sooner the better you quit, it would not be a struggle trying to quit and it will give you more opportunities in life.