What are the side effects of smoking on pregnant women?

Bad habits die hard. Smoking can affect the fertility of both men and women. If you're planning a pregnancy, quit smoking. It is necessary because cigarettes contain dangerous chemicals like nicotine, tar, carbon monoxide and harmful substances. All these chemicals are injurious to your health and can make it difficult for you to conceive.

Smoking damage your ability to get pregnant

Smoking takes you longer to become pregnant than a non-smoker. Non-smoker couple with unprotected sex can achieve pregnancy within a year. But for smokers, the chance of pregnancy goes down.  

Smoking affects the fetus. After 12 months of trying, if you've not become pregnant, this could be a sign of infertility. Women who smoke are more likely to become infertile than non-smokers. The dangerous chemicals present in cigarettes can damage eggs, hormone production and fertility. Also, keep in mind smoking affects every stage of the reproduction process.

Smoking also raises the possibility of early miscarriage and stillbirth. The unexpected loss of a pregnancy is a terrible event that can occur at any stage if you smoke. Smoking can also decrease the success rates of fertility treatment, such as IVF. Quitting smoking will help you to achieve the best result from fertility treatment in India and improve your chances of conceiving.

Smoking during pregnancy is dangerous

Smoking at any point during your pregnancy is risky. Every puff of a cigarette you smoke releases harmful chemicals that can put both you and your unborn baby at risk. Smoking increases the risk of pregnancy complications, some of which can be deadly for the mother and the baby. Quitting smoking and avoiding smoke is one of the best things you can do for you and your baby.

Benefits of Quitting Smoking during Pregnancy

• It increases your baby's heart rate.
• It helps your baby's lungs to develop properly.
• It reduces the chances of miscarriage and stillbirth.
• It reduces your chances of having a baby with low birth weight.
• It cuts the risk of sudden infant death syndrome.
• It reduces the risk of congenital disabilities of the mouth and lip for a baby.

Conclusion

It's never too late to stop smoking. If you want to get pregnant, quit smoking and give yourself a better chance of healthy start in life.