Smoking During Pregnancy: Risks & Hope for a Healthy Baby

Question
I'am just in my 23 week of pregnancy and I have tried to quit smoking at least 6 times in the last five monthes with not much luck. Yesterday was my first completley smoke free day and I quess my question is, Is it too late, has the damage already been done, or is it possible to still have a healthy full term baby at this point? I have been trying to bring anything up on the subject but the closest thing I have found is that it's better late thann not at all. That doesn't tell me much, can you shed some light?
Thank you for your time either way. Tracy 32yrs

Answer
Hello Tracy- you have just entered THE MOST CRITICAL period of your baby's growth as far as smoking is concerned. Starting NOW, your baby is practicing breathing to strengthen the muscles between the ribs so that he/she can effectively breath after birth. EVERY TIME you have a cigarette, your baby's practicing is paralyzed for four hours- if you have a smoke every four hours, WHEN will your baby practice?? You MUST stop smoking NOW- YES, you can still have a healthy, full term baby, but you must stop NOW. The other effect of smoking, is that the blood flow through the placenta to the baby is reduced by 30-40%- effectively limiting the amount of nutrition and oxygen your baby gets. That is why smoking women often deliver small, thin, sickly infants. I hope that helps- all the best- Cheri.