Potential dangers of smoking during pregnancy reinforced in Scotland

According to the British Medical Association (BMA) Scotland, there has been a significant drop in the number of women smoking in pregnancy since the 1990s.

However, nearly a fifth of the expectant mothers still smoke despite the perils and health hazards the habit poses.

Currently, nearly 19 percent of pregnant women are hardcore smokers, as opposed to 29 percent in 1995.

Deputy chairperson of the BMA in Scotland Dr Sally Winning stated, "Around one in five women smoke during pregnancy and, although this is an improvement on previous years, it reflects the lack of knowledge among Scots about the health risks of smoking, not only to themselves, but to their children.

"Smoking while pregnant can have long-term effects on the health of a baby. Maternal smoking in pregnancy is a cause of low birth weight in babies and has been linked to cot death."

Potential hazards of smoking while pregnant
The various dangers of smoking while pregnant are wide, varied, and well documented.

One of the most serious risks of smoking during pregnancy is the significantly higher chance of having a ectopic pregnancy. This occurs when the egg fertilizes somewhere else than the uterine lining, significantly elevating the risk of still birth.

Data has revealed that more than 115,000 miscarriages have been caused due to smoking during pregnancy.

Another adverse effect of smoking after conception is placenta previa, a condition where the placenta (the organ that nourishes the baby) grows too close to the opening of the womb.

This can cause internal bleeding, endangering the life of the mother and infant. In such cases, the child has to be delivered before time, making C-section necessary.

Another complication linked to smoking is placenta abruption. In such a scenario, the placenta detaches from the wall of the uterus, cutting the supply of oxygen to the fetus.

Kids of smoker mothers have less muscle mass and excess of fat because the nicotine causes the blood vessels to constrict in the umbilical cord and womb.

In short, if one wants a healthy baby one should quit smoking. Good prenatal health and care is directly related to larger, healthier babies and fewer premature births.

Need for cessation support to smokers
To quit smoking is a stressful process for everyone, but it is especially difficult when combined with the other tensions linked with a pregnancy. At such a situation, the need for the psychological support system mounts up.

“We need to offer more smoking cessation support to adults and parents to help those who wish to stop smoking stay stopped,” stated Winning.