Health Effects of Smoking on the Unborn Baby

18.7% of pregnant women in Marquette County smoke cigarettes.
Tobacco smoke reduces the delivery of oxygen to the fetus through the presence of carbon monoxide, cyanide, and aromatic hydrocarbons. Nicotine and other substances in tobacco smoke cause reduction in placental blood flow, creating further reductions in oxygen delivery as well as reductions in nutrients to the unborn baby. Nutrients include iron, amino acids, vitamins B 12 and C, folic acid and zinc.
These factors account for an estimated 20-30% of all low birthweight babies. Low birthweight is associated with 40% of babies dying in the neonatal period.
Secondhand smoke exposure during pregnancy produces twice the risk of low birthweight babies. Smoking is the single largest modifiable risk factor in intrauterine growth retardation.
Maternal smoking during pregnancy is also associated with genetic defects as well as an increased incidence of congenital anomalies such as cleft palate.
Miscarriages and stillbirths are twice as prevalent in smoking mothers.
There is also a higher incidence of life threatening pregnancy complications including hypertension, toxemia, abruptio placenta, and placenta previa.
Smoking accounts for 14% of premature births.
Mothers who smoke 1/2 pack of cigarettes a day during pregnancy have an increased risk of neuro-developmental impairment among their children with decreases in childhood intellectual function as measured in the first four years of life.
Mothers who smoke one pack a day during pregnancy have an 85% increased risk of having a child with mental retardation.
Children of smoking mothers are twice as likely to have behavioral problems including Attention Deficit Disorder (ADD).
Smoking during pregnancy produces greater incidence of children with narrowed airways after birth predisposing them to asthma and respiratory disorders.
Maternal smoking during pregnancy produces two times higher risk of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS).

The Michigan Department of Community Health offers a free quit smoking coaching hotline at 1-800-480-7848.  A Quitline representative will determine eligibility. It provides callers with up to seven phone sessions with a personal health coach who will work with the caller from their home or office. Free self help quit smoking kits are also available.  Call 1-800-537-5666 to order or go to www.smokefreeup.org.