Smoking and Pregnancy

Pregnancy is a great time to quit smoking and stay quit after the baby is born. Smoking sends poisons such as nicotine and carbon monoxide right to the unborn baby through the placenta. Smoking in pregnancy accounts for an estimated 20 to 30 percent of low-birthweight babies and some 10 percent of all infant deaths. Smoking has also been linked to developmental deficiencies in children.

No matter how long a woman has been smoking, her own body benefits from quitting as well. Smoking curtails the appetite just when a woman must gain weight to feed her baby. And a smoke-free body unquestionably has more energy to carry out the difficult time of pregnancy.