Is It Safe To Be Around People Who Smoke When I’m Pregnant?
Smoking probably tops the list of things to-be-avoided-during pregnancy. The harmful effects of first-hand smoking are not unknown to anyone. The nicotine in the tobacco does enough damage to the developing fetus. No doubt mothers are asked to give up smoking when they are pregnant. But most are oblivious to the damage done by passive smoking, which is as dangerous as active smoking.
What Is The Risk?
Passive smoking, i.e. being around people who smoke is not at all good for the developing fetus. The fetus is practically exposed to the same risks as that of active smoking; probably more as most are not that careful about avoiding passive smoking. The risks are enumerated as follows-
Passive smoking by expectant mothers leads to higher rate of miscarriages and still-births.
There is an increased risk of infants born with low birth weight; i.e. lower than that of the non-smoking mothers.
The nicotine ingested by the fetus leads to babies born with decreased lung function. The nicotine damages the cells of the developing lung.
There is a high risk of babies to be born with the much dreaded Sudden Infant Death Syndrome [SIDS].
Passive smoking by the mother also leads to a number of developmental deficits in the baby. For example, the babies exposed to passive smoking when they were in the womb, are born with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder [ADHD] and many other such behavioral disorders.
Studies have also shown that the contamination of the mother’s blood due to the nicotine in the smoke passes on to the baby in the womb. This can be a cause of genetic damage as well as childhood leukemia or other such cancers.
Apart from the baby, the mother is also susceptible to such infections as during pregnancy the mother’s immune system is weaker thereby making her more vulnerable.
How To Avoid:
As the title suggests, the best way to avoid passive smoking during pregnancy is by not being around people who are smoking. Lesser the exposure to tobacco smoke, the better.
Most people, especially the people living with the pregnant mother are considerate enough to avoid smoking when the mother is around. If they are not being so, there is nothing wrong in asking them to quit or not smoke around the mother. The mother has a right to ensure her child’s safety, no matter who she has to confront.
On her part, the mother can take care as to not to go to places where she knows exposure to smoke will be unavoidable. It is always smart to stay away from problem areas if that cannot be solved.
Hence, smoking, whether active or passive, should be avoided by the pregnant mother at any cost. There is nothing more important than the child’s safety.
