will smoking hurt my baby?

Question

I just found out I'm pregnant. I was smoking a pack a day. I've cut down to less than half a pack. Does anyone know any affects it has on the baby and the pregnancy?

Answer 1

Premature birth, weight defects, other birth defects. Yeah, not usually a good thing to do (just as bad as drinking or drugs...)

Answer 2

I am also a smoker and when I was pregnant the doc told me if I could cut down to 10 or less aday then the baby would be fine. I even got a second opinion and they said the same thing to. Don't smoke more that ten a day or you may have problems, but I did this with three kids and they are as healthy as they come. Nothing is wrong with them at all. My babies where born all on time, perfect weight 7-9 ponds none had complecations at birth. Just don't smoke while in the same room, start smoking outside. It also help you cut down because you don't really want to go out when it's cold, but make it a habit to go outside.

Answer 3

I smoked during my pregnancy, went into labor 2 days before my due date, gave birth to a very healthy 8lbs 8 oz boy!! My mother smoked with me, I was over 8lbs at birth, and I am very healthy, healthier than my brothers and my mom didn't smoke with them. I'm not saying it's a good thing, but it's not good by any means. I think the jury really is still out there on how it affects the fetus. It's a personal choice. but if you can quit, quit. There's no harm in that. Also, an OB told my sister that it hurts the mother more than the baby. So, it's up to you, but I wouldn't be overly concerned, I know lots of people that smoked throughout their pregnancy, and their children were all healthy, on time etc.
Once the baby is here, i would smoke outside the home.

Answer 4

no amount of smoking is good for the baby, especially in the first trimester, which is the most critical time of your entire pregnancy. but cutting down is better than anything if you can't just quit. you said you've cut down to half pack. try taking another step and switching to lights or ultra lights. i used to smoke a pack and half a day. i'm 17 weeks now. I quit within a week. it's a lot easier if you think about the baby. my friend that continued to smoke during two of her pregnancies had both of the babies but they were blue when they were born. now one is 2 with asthma. good luck. just do your best, i know it's hard.

Answer 5

Congratulations on your new baby coming! Yes, smoking is VERY bad for your baby-it can cause lower birth weight, it constricts your blood vessels when you smoke-and that is not good for the baby. Everything you eat, drink, goes to the baby first. It can cause asthma in your baby/child after birth-if you smoke around the baby/child as you are raising the child. Heart conditions-a young lady who is currently pregnant, was born with a heart condition because her mother smoked and drank alcohol. It is good that you have cut back, but quitting is the ieal way to go. Even for after you give birth, even if you smoke outside or somewhere away from the baby, the smoke smell still lingers on your clothes and hair, and skin. And anywhere you sit and touch. Besides, you want to be in good health yourself so you can be healthy and live longer in a healthy way for raising your child. Take care.

Answer 6

Best to talk to your doctor for all the facts, but I would personally recommend giving up the habit entirely and not just reducing the quantity. It will be difficult, but the benefits of a healthy child far outweigh the little discomfort you may experience.

As well, even after baby is born, clean air is far better for baby than that of a smoke filled room.

Good luck with your pregnancy and take the time to enjoy being a mom --- it's the absolute best role you will ever have.

Answer 7

No matter what any one says, you are hurting your baby. MANY studies have been done documenting the adverse effects.

Curiously, I somehow doubt that you would stop smoking after the child is born anyway. This exposes them to second hand smoke. So hurt them now or hurt them later. The only true choice is to stop for good or keep on smoking. Its your life and you've got a right to smoke.

Too bad a child can't make that choice, whether it be in utero or after birth.

Answer 8

They give you reasons why you should but in my eyes, Back in the days people use to smoke and do all kinds of drugs while preg. and they children are fine.
Its you choice-I did and everything is fine with my son.
Sometimes its better to smoke (cut back some) than not smoke. If you smoked and you got preg and you found out couple of months later, then the baby has already gotton use to it and it could hurt the baby that way, (nic withdraws) My doc said just cut back.

Answer 9

Are you kidding me??? That could affect your baby in sooo many ways, and all are very negative. Giving birth prematurely, low birth weight, asthma, etc. I know smoking is hard to quit... I quit the day I found out I was pregnant, cold turkey. You'll do that for your child, if you love him/her. Find a doctor, talk to him/her, and figure out all your options. Also, if you're using Yahoo answers, use the internet and search for all the ways that smoking could affect your unborn child

Answer 10

If you continue to smoke there is deffinately a risk to your baby. But luckily in the first 3 months the baby should be un harmed as it hasnt had anything passed through the bloodstream via the placenta. Quit Now to be sure of a healthy pregnancy!!! Good Luck!!

Answer 11

Where have you been living? Have you been under a rock?! Smoking is extremely harmful to your unborn child and even second-hand smoke can be detrimental to his or her health. You need to stop smoking immediately before you do anymore damage. In case you didn't know, the comsumption of alcohol is also terrible for your baby. All sorts of defects could occur because of what you're doing. Read your cigarette package or the bottle of beer and it will clearly state that it is hazardous to foetus' health!!! Look it up online for more information. Smoking during pregnancy has been known to cause cleft lip or cleft pallate which can cause other problems in your child's life such as breathing problems. Just one drink during pregnancy can cause your child to suffer from mental illness or cause organs not to develop correctly. Please don't smoke anymore and don't have any drinks!