Potentially Lethal Effects of Smoking while Pregnant

The list of possible very harmful effects on a baby due to the mother smoking during pregnancy is long, indeed. If you smoke while pregnant you are guaranteeing your child will have at least some of the known problems. Even though not too many studies have been done, there are too many known risks. There seems to be a huge disconnect between what we know and what potential mothers are aware of regarding the risks of smoking. Every woman should know and understand the risks of smoking while pregnant. Keep reading to learn about just a few of the known risks of smoking while pregnant. You inhale tar and nicotine, this is then passed on to your fetus did you know that? You might not realize that your second hand smoke will damage your baby’s lungs in some harsh ways. There are many possibilities for complications that can result from the lung damage. The chemicals you send into your baby’s blood stream displaces the oxygen and can bind it in other reactions. In addition to being necessary for life, the oxygen helps your baby to develop properly. Ectopic pregnancies make up a certain percentage of pregnancies every year. When an embryo gets implanted in the fallopian tube instead of the uterus, that is an ectopic pregnancy. There can be all kinds of serious complications from ectopic pregnancies. Ectopic pregnancies are more common in women who smoke. Smoking while pregnant can also negatively impact the placenta. These serious risks can affect the health of both the mother and the fetus. ADHD, or attention deficit-hyperactivity disorder, is becoming an increasingly common problem for children. While the numbers keep increasing, millions are currently diagnosed every year with this condition. While there are many causes for ADHD, researchers know that a pregnant woman who smokes at least half a pack a day increases the tendency of hyperactivity in your child. As you know, that also means a higher risk of the child being diagnosed with ADHD. The most severe effect for your unborn child could potentially be fatal. While most known effects passed on to your baby are not fatal you need to remember that you are compromising the health of your baby. Your child’s behavior may be adversely affected as well as other organs in the body.