Health experts are highly against smoking and drinking alcohol especially for pregnant women but there are still those who continue with the aforementioned vices. We all know that smoking and drinking alcohol is dangerous to our health but it is even more dangerous for pregnant women because the unborn child may be highly at risk of having deformities and being underweight. The National Vital Statistics Reports have stated on 2006 that at least 10% of pregnant women smoke. Smoking during pregnancy can cause miscarriage and fetal death. There are also many cases where the baby born is underweight while some are born premature and with birth defects.
Effects of Smoking and Drinking during Pregnancy
Possible Birth Defects
Women who smoke impose a high risk of developing birth defects on the baby. There is still no clear explanation as to how much it can really affect the baby because some women do not just smoke but they also drink alcohol which makes it harder to determine how smoking alone can affect the baby. The effects of smoking and alcohol can be more risky during the first trimester of the pregnancy because it is when fetal organs are on the verge of developing.
Growth restriction, Low Birth Weight and Premature Birth
During smoking, blood vessels constrict and this means poor circulation and can be a cause of growth restriction on the part of the baby. Cases like this can be detected during pregnancy through ultrasound by measuring the baby. Babies that are affected with growth restriction are usually underweight. Some babies are even born before their full term. Being underweight during birth and being born before the full term imposes a high possibility in the later life of the baby. Some health problems that may possibly be encountered are cerebral palsy, learning disabilities, psychiatric and behavioral problems.
Abnormal Placenta (Placenta Previa and Placental Abruption)
The placenta is an organ that develops when a woman is pregnant and it is through the placenta where the baby gets nutrients as he/she grows. When a pregnant woman smokes, there is a high possibility of developing placenta previa or placental abruption which can result to a stillbirth. Basically, there are 3 types of placenta previa which can either be marginal, partial or complete. Marginal placenta previa is when the placenta is close to the cervix but its opening is not obstructed. Partial placenta previa is when the placenta blocks part of the cervix while the complete placenta previa is when the placenta covers the entire cervix. Classic symptoms of this are painless vaginal bleeding that suddenly happens usually during the second or early part of the third trimester. There are instances when uterine cramps happen due to severe bleeding. In instances like this, blood transfusion may be needed due to severe blood loss. Complete bed rest is needed and on worst cases, emergency cesarean section is needed.
Placental abruption on the other hand is a serious condition where the placenta separates from the uterine wall. Symptoms of this are vaginal bleeding, uterine tenderness, back pain and fast uterine contractions. The pregnant woman will be advised to be hospitalized and on some cases cesarean section is required.
More Effects of Smoking and Drinking during Pregnancy
Fetal Alcohol Syndrome
When a pregnant woman drinks alcohol, alcohol may be absorbed in the placenta and cause danger to the growing baby. Fetal alcohol syndrome may cause heart defects, deformities in the limbs or fingers and even hearing or visual problems. Alcohol drinking during pregnancy can cause the baby to have small eyes, thinner upper lips and nose that turns upwards but these are just a few because it may also be attributed to hyperactivity, anxiety and a small brain. Although surgery and counseling are available, most of its effects are permanent.
Miscarriage
One of the most devastating effects of smoking is miscarriage and fetal death. When a pregnant woman smokes, chemicals such as nicotine, carbon monoxide and toxins may enter into the fetus’ bloodstream. All these toxins may interfere with fetal growth and on worst cases, fetal death.
These effects are just some of the detrimental effects that smoking and alcohol drinking can bring about to a pregnant woman and to her unborn child. These only go to show how fragile the condition is of the mother and the child and how drinking alcohol and smoking can only cause health problems.
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