If your spouse is a smoker, it is imperative that she give up cigarettes, at least while she is carrying the baby.
Here is a list of the ways in which smoking harms the unborn baby: oIt increases the mother's risk of a miscarriage.
oIt exposes the fetus to the toxins in tobacco smoke.
oIt damages the placenta.
oIt increases the risk of placental abruption (separation of the placenta from the uterus).
oIt lowers oxygen levels in the fetus's blood.
oIt induces premature birth and lower than average birth weight.
oIt causes the baby to be born with underdeveloped organs.
oIt leads to impaired lung function in the infant.
oIt doubles the baby's rate of susceptibility to Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS).
oIt leads to general ill health.
oIt increases susceptibility to diseases such as asthmatic bronchitis.
oIt increases the likelihood of the child growing up to become a smoker.
While your spouse may realize the danger of smoking during her pregnancy, it may not be easy for her to give up smoking.
Most smokers who try to give up their addiction suffer a strong craving for cigarettes.
You can help her by reminding her that the cravings are only temporary, and by offering your moral support to her.
These are some things she can do to help your spouse give up smoking: oRecognize and help her resist any craving to smoke.
oHelp her fight the craving to smoke by distracting her with other activities.
oDiscuss her addiction with her doctor.