Will smoking really complicate a pregnancy? or will a baby have birth defects because of it ?

Answer 1

I don't know, I have heard they have a greater chance of having birth defects...but then again I know people who have smoked and nothing was wrong....so there is no telling really, everyone is different..But if there is a chance you got to think about the baby and not yourself...so why risk it? Even if there was a slight chance, I don't see why any mother would want to even think about taking that chance...Don't smoke while pregnant!

Answer 2

If you want to know the real truth, then, yes, smoking will give your baby birth defects, as well as skin and lung problems in the early stage of his or her life.

I know this for a fact because I know a woman who's baby is going through problems because of her smoking durring pregnancy. It did not actually complicate the pregnancy, but it did effect the kid. Even worse is that after even though she has seen the effects of smoking on her baby, she and her husband both continue to smoke inside the house. This even further complicates the baby's problems.

Even though people try to ignore it, it is a proven fact: smoking durring pregnancy causes birth defects. My advice to anyone who is pregnant and smoking. Quit right now! You are endangering your baby's life.

Answer 3

In my first job as a social worker/pediatric nurse, I worked at a consultation for babies, organized by Belgian child services. Among others I had to advise future parents and new parents on a healthy lifestyle for both parents and kids.
Smoking is definitely a no no while you're pregnant. Some children do not seem to suffer and are born just as healthy as a child of non smoking parents, as a previous poster stated. But ... here a some risks your baby might by running: a slightly smaller head, weak lungs, learning difficulties and all the risks adults are running by passive smoking. Though your baby is in the womb, because mum and dad are smoking it unwillingly becomes a passive smoker.
Over here, being pregnant is the incentive to quit smoking altogether!

Answer 4

Much depends on the baby itself, how strong it's immune system is, but countless studies have proven that smoking during pregnancy does increase the chances of miscarriage, stillbirth, birth defects, abnormally low birth weight and premature birth. I wouldn't take the risk with my child. (I didn't in fact, I'm the mother of 3 adult children and was a smoker who gave it up while pregnant, all 3 were born healthy and with good birth weights.)

Answer 5

This is a difficult one to answer. Personally i am a non-smoker and so is my husband. We had a 8 lb 1 ounce 22 inch healthy baby boy with no health problems thankfully. On the other hand my mom birthed three healthy ovre 8 lb babies at full term after smoking three packs of cigs a day during her pregnancies. It is something you just got to decide for yourself. Would it really affect you too much if you quit for the 9 months till your baby is born. Good luck

Answer 6

my sister didnt know she was pregnant up until she was 7 months-- obviously since she didnt know she was pregnant she smoked and drank the entire 7 months and her daughter was born just perfect.... obviously this isnt true for everyone... but having two pregnancies and being a smoker- i realize just how hard it is now to "just quit" for the baby. With my first i was a total hypocrite... i would get so angry at smoking pregnant mothers-but i didnt smoke then. With this pregnancy i was up to a pack a day when i found out-- ive at least been able to cut down to 4 or 5 smokes a day-- but it is sooo much easier said than done to just completely cut out an addiction over night. it just doesnt happen. if you find you cant stop smoking at least cut way back.

Answer 7

I was a smoker when I got pregnant 3 years ago and my doctor told me to cut down and quit gradually, if at all, because the stress of quitting cold-turkey could do more damage than smoking.

And I have a friend who quit for 2 babies and they were both 6 1/2 pounds. Then she smoked with her 3rd child and that baby was nearly 10 pounds!

Answer 8

No one really knows the answer. What doctor's have figured out is that the fetus will take what it needs from your body, and if you don't have enough, you will be affected, not necessarilly the baby. Like if you don't drink enough milk, then the baby will drain you of vitamin D, etc. If you smoke, then the baby won't extract the nicotine, as far as is known, but might not be able to extract a more 'pure' oxygen level, as when we smoke our 'pure' oxygen is contaminated. Neither of my wives smoked after we found out we were pregnant, and both of our kids are healthy, but I know women that never quit, and their kids are healthy too. I guess its a decision for each to make for themselves. Good luck, Ron

Answer 9

You just need to use common sense. Any activities that can lead to you injuring yourself (falling). You don't want to ski, water or snow. Most other sports are ok. You want to watch what you eat. Certain cheeses are off the ok list. Lunch meats are a no go. You don't want to drink or smoke. Don't put yourself in any situations that can be dangerous. You may want to stay out of overcrowded places. People elbow and push. Its uncomfortable and unsafe. Stay away from certain fishes due to the mercury. Don't over strain yourself with lifting ect. Anything you could do before pregnancy you can do after, but don't do any more. Talk to your Doctor, they will certainly have more suggestions.

Answer 10

What you need to know:
Smoking harms your baby. When you smoke, your baby gets less oxygen. Lack of oxygen can cause your baby to grow more slowly and gain less weight in the womb. Smoking during pregnancy has also been linked to preterm labor and other pregnancy complications.

Smoking nearly doubles a woman’s risk of having a low-birthweight baby. In 2002, 12.2 percent of babies born to smokers in the United States were of low birthweight (less than 5½ pounds), compared to 7.5 percent of babies of nonsmokers.2 Low birthweight can result from poor growth before birth, preterm delivery or a combination of both. Smoking has long been known to slow fetal growth. Studies also suggest that smoking increases the risk of preterm delivery 37 weeks of gestation). Premature and low-birthweight babies face an increased risk of serious health problems during the newborn period, chronic lifelong disabilities (such as cerebral palsy, mental retardation and learning problems) and even death.