Smoking During Pregnancy: Risks to Your Baby

Question
my wife believes smoking is not hurting her unborn baby.  I cant believe in todays educated  society people think this.  what are the possible risks my child faces?

Answer
Hello Allan- yes, there are MANY risks to your baby. Smoking causes a decrease in oxygen and nutrition to the baby of at least 40%- so the baby will not get adequate oxygen or food- they are most often born below normal birth wt. and may have reduced brain development. At about 24 weeks of pregnancy, your baby will try to practice breathing by pulling amniotic fluid into it's lungs and expelling it again. Every time your wife has a cigarette, this practicing is paralyzed for four hours. If she has a cig. every four hours, when does baby get a chance to practice? These babies often have severe breathing difficulties at birth because the muscles between the ribs are not strong enough to breath properly. You must realize that your wife is a drug addict- the drug is nicotene and a very tough one to kick. Try to find a group in your area called Nicotene Anonymous or go to their website. She needs help to stop using this drug. All the best- Cheri.