Mums-to-be can get help to quit cigarettes
TOBACCO affects everyone differently and many mothers wonder if smoking during pregnancy will affect their baby.
One baby may not be harmed at all, while some babies may be harmed in many differnt ways — so it's best to quit smoking now.
Unfortunately latest figures released by anti-smoking group ASH reveal that over a quarter (25.3 per cent) of pregnant women in Lanarkshire still smoke while they are "with child", although this figure has dropped from 30 per cent in 1995 and 29 per cent in 2000.
Women who smoke while they are pregnant put themselves and their babies at risk for delivery complications, birth defects, and diseases.
Smokers inhale nicotine and carbon monoxide, which reach the baby through the placenta and prevent the foetus from getting the nutrients and oxygen needed to grow.
Smoking early in pregnancy appears to increase a women's risk of having an ectopic pregnancy and may also increase the risk of miscarriage.
Smoking nearly doubles a woman's risk of having a low-birth weight baby (under 5 lbs) who will face an increased risk of serious health problems such as cerebral palsy, mental retardation and learning problems, or even death.
Smoking during pregnancy is estimated to account for 20 to 30 per cent of low -birth weight babies, up to 14 per cent preterm deliveries, and around 10 per cent of all infant deaths.
Breast milk often contains whatever is in the woman's body. If a woman smokes, the baby ingests the nicotine in her breast milk.
Babies whose mothers smoked during pregnancy are three times as likely to die from sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS) as babies of non-smokers.
Later in life children whose mothers smoked during pregnancy may be at increased risk of learning and behavioural problems such as impulsive behaviour, conduct disorders, and attention problems.
In American a doctor called Chris Covert-Bowlds who was at the forefront of getting legislation introduced to ban smoking in Washington's public places is now leading a campaign in Oregon to have women who smoke during pregnancy charged with child abuse.
However, the medical community in Scotland are rather more understanding about the addiction and help is available.
Dr Lesley Armitage, consultant in public health medicine, said: "Giving up smoking in pregnancy is the best thing a mother can do for her baby, and for herself.
"Better still is giving up smoking before becoming pregnant. This is because stopping smoking has major health benefits for both mother and baby, for example, reducing the risk of miscarriage, stillbirth and cot death.
"It also decreases the chances of children developing asthma or being admitted to hospital with asthma.
"Another benefit of stopping smoking is that it reduces the chances of babies weighing less than they should do at birth and, in some cases suffering lifelong problems as a result of this.
"Whilst all mothers want what is best for their babies, there is a myth that smaller babies result in less painful labour – this is not true!"
"NHS Lanarkshire is dedicated to reducing the harm caused by smoking so all pregnant women who smoke are encouraged by their midwives to give it up using the expert help available from the stop smoking service.
"This service provides friendly non-judgemental support to anyone wanting to quit smoking.
"To find out more you can speak to your midwife, public health nurse (health visitor) or GP, or, if you live in Bellshill or Motherwell, just call 863258. They will be happy to help."
The Motherwell Times is backing the latest push by the North Community Health Partnership to improve the health of local residents.
Reporting: Brian Yule
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Weather for Motherwell, Scotland
Thursday 24 May 2012
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