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  |  Healthy Living  |  Smoking and your health
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Some surprising facts from the Colonel

Smoking and your health

continued from page 1

Q. How can smoking affect my baby?
A. Each cigarette you smoke can have a direct effect on your unborn baby's development. The chemicals in cigarette smoke reduce the amount of oxygen your baby gets through its umbilical cord. This makes your baby's heart beat faster and your baby grow more slowly. Nicotine reduces blood flow through the placenta and smoking causes it to age too quickly so that your baby gets less nutrients.On average your baby will weigh 7oz - that's 200g - less when it's born. This isn't healthy; smaller babies are much more likely to pick up infections and other diseases.

Q. I'm already well into my pregnancy - will it make any difference if I quit now?
A. Yes. The moment you stop smoking you start increasing your chances of a healthier pregnancy and a well-developed baby.

Q. Is it okay if I just cut back?
A. No. Smokers who just cut back tend to inhale more deeply and smoke more of the cigarette. The result is that you don't reduce the amount of harmful chemicals going into both your bodies by nearly as much as you expect (if at all).Each cigarette contains about 4,000 chemicals, many of which cause cancer and other diseases. As soon as you light up they enter your and your baby's bloodstream.

They include:

  • Carbon monoxide, the lethal gas that comes out of car exhausts
  • Ammonia, which is found in household cleaners Cyanide, an extremely poisonous substance ? Butane, which is used to fuel cigarette lighters

    Q. What happens if I continue, or start smoking again, after my baby is born?
    A. Your baby is much better off in a smoke-free environment. Passive smoking doubles the risk of cot death (Sudden Infant Death Syndrome) and the risk of children suffering from serious respiratory diseases in infancy increases by more than 50%. Children who live with smokers are twice as likely to spend time in hospital for chest illnesses such as bronchitis and pneumonia. They're also more likely to suffer childhood asthma, wheezing and ear infections.

    NHS Pregnancy smoking helpline: 0800 169 9169



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    This iVillage Health service area is designed for educational purposes only. You should not rely on this information as a substitute for personal medical attention, diagnosis or hands-on treatment. If you are concerned about your health or that of a child, please consult your family's health provider immediately and do not wait for a response from our professionals. For the full Disclaimer, click here.
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