Smoking and pregnancy should never exist together. Cigarettes contain harmful substances like nicotine, tar and carbon monoxide. These substances are harmful to you as well as for your unborn developing baby. Smoking cigarettes is lethal, especially during pregnancy. It can cause many complications during pregnancy and can harm your baby. You must consult with the best gynaecologist in Lahore if you have any gynaecological problem or you are pregnant.
If you smoke and get pregnant, try your level best to quit the habit of smoking. Moreover, in the first place, it would prevent you from getting pregnant. If you smoke and find it hard to conceive, you must stop smoking as a priority. In this article, we are going to discuss the harmful effects of smoking during pregnancy.
Stillbirth and miscarriage
Losing your unborn child at any stage of life is so painful. Smoking can lead to miscarriages due to the harmful substances it contains. When a miscarriage happens after 20 weeks of gestation, it is called a stillbirth.
Moreover, if the pregnancy continues with smoking, it can affect the development of your baby. It can also cause complications relating to the placenta.
Ectopic pregnancy
In an ectopic pregnancy, the fertilized egg implants outside the uterus. It is a life-threatening condition for mother. Cigarette smoke contains nicotine. It causes the contractions of fallopian tubes, that eventually prevents the passing of an embryo through it. Therefore, smoking can cause ectopic pregnancy.
In an ectopic pregnancy, the fertilized egg may implant in the cervix, fallopian tube or abdominal cavity. It may represent with a sharp pain in the abdomen or pelvis along with heavy or light vaginal bleeding.
Placenta abruption
The placenta is the vital organ during pregnancy that serves as a connection between the mother and the baby. It provides nutrients and oxygen to the baby. Therefore, serving as a lifeline for baby. Smoking can cause placental abruption. It means that placenta detaches from the uterus, and the oxygen and nutrient supply to the baby is stopped. It is a medical emergency and a life-threatening condition for both the mother and the baby. There is no such treatment or surgery that can reattach the placenta to the uterus. Placental abruption can cause severe vaginal bleeding that is harmful to the mother.
Placenta previa
Under normal circumstances, the placenta does not cover the cervix. While in placenta previa, the placenta attaches to the uterus in such a way that it covers the cervix. Smoking can cause placenta previa. During which, the placenta can tear and result in severe vaginal bleeding. Due to which the baby is deprived of oxygen and nutrient supply. It is a condition that needs urgent medical attention.
Preterm birth
Smoking during pregnancy can cause preterm birth, that means the baby is born weeks before the due date. There can be many complications of preterm birth for the baby. Also, it could result in the mental or physical disability of the baby.
Low birth weight
Women who smoke during pregnancy may have a child with low birth weight. Therefore it can result in several complications for the baby like cerebral palsy, delay in the development or visual or hearing impairment.
Birth-defects
Smoking during pregnancy can lead to birth-defects in your child. It can result in cleft lip, congenital heart diseases and valvular heart problems.
Conclusion
The only solution to keep your pregnancy healthy is to quit smoking. Do that for yourself and your unborn baby. If you are pregnant or facing difficulty in conceiving, you must consult with a top gynaecologist in Lahore.