I spend a lot of time reading through blogs and news related to pregnancy. Pregnancy has been around since the beginning of mankind (obviously), and yet there are always new headlines. But once in a while, I run across something, usually a study, that makes me want to slap my monitor and say “duh!” Sometimes you wonder why our money is being spent on research that concludes with what most of us would consider common sense. (Okay, stepping off my soap box now.)
One such study gives us one more reason to not smoke during pregnancy. If the health risks to her baby weren’t enough to scare the smoking mother, perhaps the promise of a problem child will. These mothers are increasing their chances of spending the next 18 years dealing with their child’s behavioral problems or attention deficit disorder. Boys are more likely to suffer than girls. According to the authors, “smoking during pregnancy may damage the developing structure and function of the fetal brain.” Obviously the fact that these children have to deal with disorders like ADHD for the rest of their lives is even worse.
(Warning: I’m stepping back up on my soap box.) How much research must be done before we can convince pregnant women that smoking must absolutely be out of the question? Considering the 4,000 toxic substances found in cigarettes, how much worse and widespread do the consequences have to be before the habit is kicked? I understand that it is an addiction, but how can a person weigh the struggle of abstaining for nine months against a lifetime of health risks, behavior problems and more for the child?
There are a lot of resources for pregnant women who want to quit smoking. Talk to your doctor first. Quitting cold turkey isn’t always the best option because of withdrawal. The best time to quit is before you conceive.
For more information about smoking and pregnancy, check out these articles here on Families.com:
Quitting Smoking While Pregnant
Quit Smoking for a Calmer Baby
Quitting Smoking During Pregnancy
Smoking and Infertility – Pregnancy
One More Reason to Quit Smoking
Nicotine Replacement Therapy Use in Pregnancy
The Effect of Cigarette Smoke on the Fetus