Women who are pregnant should not smoke because it is widely recognised that smoking is harmful to the baby. When a person smokes some of the oxygen in the blood is replaced by carbon monoxide poison. This can cause the baby's heart rate to rise, because the baby is struggling to get enough oxygen.
Research now proves that if a pregnant women smokes, she is more likely to have a premature baby or a baby which has a very low birth weight.
Babies born to mothers who smoked in pregnancy can also have smaller organs or poor lung functions. This is due to the large number of toxins which tobacco smoke contains. In addition, they may get ill more often than other babies or suffer with asthma or bronchitis.
It is also thought that passive smoking may be harmful to a foetus, but not to the same extent as if the mother smokes during pregnancy.
Research now proves that if a pregnant women smokes, she is more likely to have a premature baby or a baby which has a very low birth weight.
Babies born to mothers who smoked in pregnancy can also have smaller organs or poor lung functions. This is due to the large number of toxins which tobacco smoke contains. In addition, they may get ill more often than other babies or suffer with asthma or bronchitis.
It is also thought that passive smoking may be harmful to a foetus, but not to the same extent as if the mother smokes during pregnancy.
