Section 4- Tobacco No Smoking Allowed!

Tobacco Use After smoking a cigarette, several thousand toxic chemicals enter the bloodstream and are sent to the cells all over the body. Nicotine, Carbon Monoxide and many other chemicals can be found in every body tissue of a smoker: Eyes, Hair, Semen, and Vaginal Secretions Most are now aware of the link between smoking and respiratory problems such as lung cancer. Smoking can also have an affect on reproduction and pregnancy.

Effects on Reproduction Men who smoke may have decreased sperm production. Smoking may affect the function and quality of the sperm and the egg. Women who smoke have a harder time conceiving a child than non-smokers.

How Does Smoking Affect Pregnancy? Nicotine constricts the blood vessels in the uterus, decreasing the blood flow to the fetus. This increases blood pressure, and may cause the fetus to have trouble breathing. Deficiency of oxygen and nutrients slows cell growth and can affect mental development. The fetus will secrete nicotine and other chemicals into the amniotic fluid that surrounds them causing continued exposure.

How Does Smoking Affect Pregnancy? Infant low-birth weight and failure-to-thrive. Increased risk for miscarriage and stillbirth. Women who smoke during pregnancy are at a higher risk for premature labor and placenta disorders. Smoking is the leading cause for low-birth rate which is linked to retarded growth in all areas of development. If smoking is stopped by 16 weeks many times birth weight returns to normal.

What About Second Hand Smoke? Any exposure to the chemicals found in smoke can affect the fetus. It is difficult to study the impact of second hand smoke on a fetus because it is hard to accurately measure the exposure. The higher the mother’s exposure the more likely it is to affect the fetus- be very careful if you live with smokers.

Effects of Smoking After Delivery Mother’s who smoke during pregnancy and while breastfeeding place their babies at higher risk for Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS). Infants and women are at higher risk for ear infections, respiratory illness, asthma, and colds due the build up of smoke particles in the lungs.

Discussion You will develop and write your response to the following situation on a piece of notebook paper. Tomorrow some of you will be selected to share your responses aloud- be prepared! Your friend has just told you that she is 2 months pregnant. You notice that she is continuing to smoke cigarettes. You mention to her that smoking during pregnancy is not good for the baby. She tells you that she knows several women who have smoked during pregnancy and their babies were fine. What would you say to her regarding this comment?