Effects of Smoking In Pregnancy

Smoking has a deleterious effect in pregnancy and it is well established. Various data and studies have revealed a lot of harmful effects of smoking in pregnancy and its outcome. Smoking not only has effects on fetus of the smoker but it has bad effects in reproductive period too. Below, we will see the effect of smoking in reproductive life of a woman as well as its effect in pregnancy.

We can divide the effects in following categories:

Before pregnancy:

Primary and secondary infertility: In comparison with a non-smoker, a smoker woman has 10-40% less chance of conception in each cycle and consequently increased risk of primary and secondary infertility.

After conception but in early pregnancy:

After being pregnant, a smoker woman has twice the risk of miscarriage than non-smoker woman. Risk of ectopic pregnancy is also raised in smoker.

In last part of pregnancy (peri-natally):

Smoking has a major role in peri-natal morbidity and mortality. The relative risks of preterm premature rupture of membrane (PPROM), premature delivery, premature placental separation (abruption), intrauterine growth restriction and perinatal death of newborn are much higher in smoker mother than non-smoker. About one third of sudden infant deaths(SID) are attributable to cigarette smoking.

The level of carbon monoxide is higher in smoker’s blood and smokers have a reduced blood flow in inter-villous spaces. As a consequence, fetus suffers from gradual oxygen insufficiency. These are the damaging effect of smoking on fetus.

Pregnancy is a desired event and most valuable thing in every woman’s life. But this bad habit may make it difficult or bring some unwanted outcome. So women who smoke should be given every encouragement and support to quit this bad habit.