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Smoking while pregnant does not only have health implications
for the mother but has dramatic negative effects on the
child. The child is exposed to many harmful chemicals
when the mother smokes.
Protecting babies from tobacco
smoke in pregnancy and childhood really helps ensure a
healthier start in life.
Smoking during pregnancy has been linked to:
- Miscarriages
- Excessive nausea
- Adverse health for the mother
- Bleeding
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Health Implications for the baby:
- Stumped growth in babies
- Reduced birth weight
- Likelihood of shortness of oxygen and need of
an emergency delivery
- Premature birth
- Stillbirth
- Trebles the risk of cot death
- Chest infections and asthma
Oxygen helps babies grow!
If a pregnant woman smokes, or breathes
in the cigarette smoke of her family the baby is not protected.
When
you inhale smoke you put over 4 000 chemicals into your body. This includes carbon
monoxide poisonous gas. Carbon monoxide gets into your blood stream and reduces
the oxygen reaching your baby. Babies who don't get enough oxygen can be born
smaller and weaker.
These ailments can last a lifetime and can sometimes lead
to death.
Benefits of stopping smoking during pregnancy:
Smoking is harmful throughout your pregnancy.
The good news is that by stopping
smoking while pregnant your risk of complications during pregnancy is drastically
reduced. By stopping your baby benefits immediately. When your lungs become
smoke free, the carbon monoxide and chemicals clear from your body
and your oxygen levels return to normal.
A longer, healthier life
is ahead for you, if you stay smoke free after your baby is born!
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