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What can smoking do to your unborn baby?
Smoking puts a strain on the baby’s heart and reduces the oxygen and food reaching the developing baby.  The umbilical cord is the baby’s lifeline. Until the baby is born, the baby’s blood supply comes direct from the mother.  So when you smoke, both you and the unborn baby get less oxygen and both are exposed to the same high levels of poisons in tobacco smoke.     
Cigarette smoke contains 4000 chemicals.  Two of the chemicals that put the baby’s health at risk are:
Carbon monoxide
This poisonous gas in tobacco smoke passes through the lungs and replaces the oxygen in your blood.  This reduces the oxygen for you and the baby.  Oxygen is needed for the healthy growth of the baby.
Nicotine
Within seconds of taking a puff a dose of nicotine passes into your blood.  Nicotine increases your heart rate and your baby’s heart rate.  It also narrows the blood vessels and this reduces the blood flow and food supply to the baby.
Problems caused by smoking during pregnancy
If you smoke during pregnancy you have higher risks of:
•    Miscarriage and premature labour
•    Birth complications
•    Low weight baby
•    Still born
•    Health problems and infections after birth
Problems caused by smoking after birth
Babies’ lungs are very delicate.  Breathing in chemicals in tobacco smoke in the air can seriously harm them.  If you smoke after the baby is born you increase the baby’s risk of:
•    Sudden infant death syndrome (Cot death)
•    Asthma and asthma attacks
•    Coughs and serious chest infections
•    Slower lung growth
•    Toxic chemicals in breast milk
•    Glue ear and hearing problems
The more cigarettes you smoke the greater the risk to your baby.

Ask GASP
“I should have stopped smoking as soon as I found out I was pregnant.  I’m 15 weeks now so isn’t it too late?” 
It’s never too late to stop smoking in pregnancy and it’s always worth it.  A baby grows a lot late in pregnancy. Your chances of having a healthy pregnancy and a healthy baby increase from the moment you stop.  
“My sister smoked during pregnancy and her baby was all right.”
Smoking doubles the risk of premature labour and the risk of a stillborn baby is increased by a third.  Is it worth the risk?
“I need to smoke to relax.  Being relaxed is better for baby”
Smoking doesn’t relax you.  It calms you down for a short time by raising the nicotine levels.  This combats the nicotine withdrawal symptoms that make you edgy.   Smoking speeds up the heart rate and increases your blood pressure.  Carbon monoxide robs your blood of oxygen.  This is definitely NOT better for your baby. 
“I’ve cut down a lot - is that good enough?”
There is no safe level of smoking.  Smokers who cut down, inhale more deeply and take more puffs so the same amount of chemicals pass to the baby.  The same applies to changing to low tar cigarettes.   Stopping smoking is difficult but it is the best thing for the baby.
“Isn’t it easier and quicker to give birth to a small, low weight baby?”
Giving birth to a low weight baby is not quicker or easier than a having a bigger baby.  In fact, a small baby can cause more complications during labour.   The baby is more likely to suffer distress during birth and needs a lot more medical interventions.       
“If I quit during pregnancy is it OK to start smoking again after I have the baby?”
For your sake and for the health of your newborn baby you should continue not to smoke.  You will be fitter and healthier and your baby will not be put at risk of lung damage and cot death. 
“Does smoking affect breast-milk?” 
If you smoke and breast feed it is not ideal but it is better than not breastfeeding.  Breast milk protects your baby from infections but some of the nicotine and other chemicals in tobacco smoke will pass to your baby through the milk.
“I quit smoking but both my partner and my mother smoke.  What can I do?”
Better if they also quit smoking completely.  But they should not smoke around you during the pregnancy.  Second-hand smoke is not good for you or the baby.  After the birth, make sure they do not smoke anywhere near the baby as you need to protect your baby from secondhand smoke.
“Can I use nicotine replacement such as patches, gum or tablets to help me to stop smoking?”
Get help from your doctor or midwife.  Discuss nicotine replacement with your GP or specialist and the risks involved.   Most of the products can be used by pregnant women.


Story of a smoke free pregnancy
One to three months
The heart starts to beat (about 26 days after the baby is conceived)
Bone cells start to develop
Lungs start to develop
Reproductive organs are formed
Fingers are complete and nails start to grow
At 3 months the baby is as big as your index finger.
Four to six months
The baby is between 23 – 30 cms (9-12 inches)
The baby gains weight rapidly and weighs about 670gms (11/2 lbs)
The baby can hear sounds and is sensitive to light
The baby can open and close eyes and sleeps for regular periods
Seven to nine months
The baby’s weight is about 3-3.5 kg  (7-7lbs 7ozs)
The baby’s size is about 46-50cms (18-20.5 ins)
The baby’s organs grow especially the heart and lungs
The baby start to move a lot
The baby sucks his or her thumb


Quit and stay fit during pregnancy
Physical activity is very important when you are pregnant.  Exercise can also help you to resist the urge to smoke. Talk to your doctor if you plan anything too energetic or vigorous.
Walking
Walking 15 to 20 minutes every day is one of the best ways to relax and keep fit.
Breathing
Sit somewhere comfortable.  Loosen your clothes.  Take your shoes off.  Relax your shoulders. Close your eyes.  Breathe in through your nose and breathe out through your mouth.  Feel how the air relaxes you.  Breathe slowly.  Let your stomach expand with the inhaled air.  Feel how breathing helps to calm you down.  Breathing deeply can help you to feel better.  It will help you to carry on your daily tasks with more energy.
Dancing
Dancing is a great way to relax and is good exercise.  Put on the radio or your favourite music and dance for 10 minutes.  
Eat well
When you are pregnant you need a healthy balanced diet.  This helps the growth and wellbeing of your baby.  You need a variety of healthy foods such as whole grains, fresh fruit and vegetables, lentils and beans, foods with milk such as yoghurt and cheese.  

You and your baby are two great reasons to stop smoking.

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