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Hey, Mom! Wanna Quit Smoking?
Yes, 23 percent of American women smoke while pregnant. It is possible that a statistic will show the same rate for other countries. Smoking during pregnancy poses threats not only to the mothers but also to the unborn child.

Reports show that each year there are 1,000 infant deaths where 40% are classified as sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS) and unexplained death of a baby under a year old while sleeping. March of Dimes runs a website that helps expecting mothers with pregnancy issues. They share their latest report from The U.S. Surgeon General confirming that smoking during pregnancy poses risks of having cleft lip and cleft palate on babies. There are more than 7,000 babies born with cleft lip or cleft plate in the US.

Cleft lip and cleft palate are two types of oral cleft defects. A cleft lip is described by the upper lip not being completely formed while a cleft palate is not completely formed roof of the mouth. Both defects show openings in them. The developing stage of a baby is critical for both conditions. These oral cleft defects cause feeding problems. Both may also lead to ear infections, hearing problems, and speech/dental problems.

“Smoking during pregnancy exposes the baby to dangerous chemicals such as nicotine, carbon monoxide, and tar. These chemicals can reduce how much oxygen the baby gets, affecting the baby’s growth and development,” said Edward R. B. McCabe, MD, March of Dimes Chief Medical Officer.

Listed below are other pregnancy risks attributed to smoking:

• Impaired baby’s growth – small size of the baby, underweight • Ectopic pregnancy – a life-threatening condition where the pregnancy happens outside the uterus (womb) • Complications with the placenta – which can lead to fetal death • Preterm birth – birth of the baby of less than 37 weeks • Stillbirth – a fetus has died in the uterus

As an expecting mother, you should brush off these myths and fallacies:

1. Quitting smoking after months of being pregnant has done the damage. Quitting smoking at any stage increases the chances of the baby’s lungs to work well. If a mother truly cares for the baby’s health, giving up smoking at the earliest stage should be the first consideration. 2. Quitting smoking is stressful on the baby. This does NOT contribute to extra stress on the baby. 3. Smoking a few cigarettes is acceptable. By any standard, there is NOT a safe level in smoking. 4. A mom who is smoking should not breastfeed her baby. American Academy of Pediatrics says that a mother can continue to breastfeed her baby. The milk provides what the baby needs for growth and development. 5. “I feel relaxed when smoking, so does my baby”. Each puff of cigarette increases the carbon monoxide in the bloodstream which lowers the available oxygen for the baby.

Now that you already understand the risks of smoking to your baby, here are some guidelines to help you quit smoking:

1. Understand the threat. There are plenty of available materials that discuss the effects of smoking. An expecting mother should understand what happens to the baby with each puff of smoke. It is also a parental responsibility to know the serious health defects that smoking can cause the baby. With awareness, the decision to quit smoking becomes more attainable. It is also important to understand that smoking is an addiction – it is the dependence to the substance in cigarettes.

2. Eliminate smoking from home. Encourage other smokers, especially the partner, to quit smoking. Everyone understands the effect of 2nd hand smoking. The smell of smoke increases the urge for the mom to smoke. When she does, it decreases the baby’s good health. It is also important that you avoid public places where people smoke. 3. Consulting an OB Gynecologist. Letting the doctor know the smoking habits will help in better monitoring the health of the mom and the baby more closely. He/she may have a precautionary measure to suggest that only applies to the expecting mom.

4. Stop the addiction and find a replacement. Simply stop smoking no matter how difficult it is. Be firm with this decision. There are no ifs or buts. Find something to divert your attention to. Find something that will capture your focus and interest. Professionals advise to keep your hands busy. This will turn your mind away from smoking. 5. Increase your water intake.

6. If quitting becomes too difficult, take baby steps. Gradually decrease the smoke intake not by number of cigarettes. Use the fraction of the days to do this. For example, train yourself to give up smoking in the morning. Then continue by eliminating smoking after meals.

7. Keep trying. If you fail once, try again. Always remember that you are doing this for yourself and the soon-to-be-born baby.

Save your baby from being born with serious birth defect. Quitting smoking is the best gift you can give your unborn child. Think now and act now.

Source : http://quitsmokeblog.com/mom-wanna-quit-smoking/