Pregnancy and Smoking

Smoking in pregnant women is growing in developed countries. The consequences are so serious about the health of the woman on the fetus.

Indeed, the components of tobacco affect the whole course of pregnancy: design, development of the fetus, infant growth.

Impact on the health of the mother

Changing fertility

Several components of tobacco (including irritants) affects the ovaries and reduce their ability to produce eggs *. Hormonal disorders also appear with a decrease in estrogen levels, all of which decrease fertility.

Studies have also shown that the success rate of fertilization is reduced when smoking.

Increased risk of ectopic pregnancy (ectopic pregnancy)

The ectopic pregnancy is operating outside the uterine cavity. The risk of ectopic pregnancy is based on the dose consumed.

Tobacco has toxic effects on the fallopian tubes causing a disruption of peristalsis or contraction of the latter, then it prevents the migration of the egg to the uterus.

Risk of spontaneous abortion during the first trimester of pregnancy.

Several mechanisms have been proposed:

- Nicotine causes a decrease in estrogen, it thins the lining of the uterus and prevents the complete implantation in the uterus.

- Nicotine alters the egg formed and prevents normal development.

- Tobacco causes a decrease in irrigation of the uterus so a reduction of oxygen supply to the level of the egg formed where arresting its development.

Risk of bleeding during pregnancy by incorrect insertion of the placenta. Indeed, hypoxia caused by tobacco facilitates placental abruption.

Significant risk of premature birth due to an alteration of the placenta and premature rupture of membranes as a result of smoking.

Although the risk of occurrence of a premature birth is strongly associated with smoking, the risk is even higher if the mother is older. However, this risk is reduced when smoking cessation is in the first trimester of pregnancy.

Other repercussions of smoking during pregnancy, such as:

- Increased frequency of oral diseases (irritation);

- Increased risk of developing stretch marks;

- Difficulty of healing in case of caesarean section;

- Abnormal blood glucose disruption of insulin.

Impact on the fetus

Most components of tobacco cross the placenta and affect the proper development of the fetus.

Late intrauterine growth retardation (IUGR)

Slowing down the development of the fetus is directly dependent on the dose of tobacco primarily affects weight3, but also the size and head circumference of the fetus.

Late intrauterine growth is mainly due to fetal hypoxia (and, for long periods) and a decrease in nutrient intake (the main components of tobacco having a polluting effect at the blood that irrigates the fetus). Furthermore, cadmium exerts its toxic effect on the fetus by capturing zinc (substance yet necessary for the development and cell growth).

Fetal death in utero (MIU) are due to the same mechanism.

The main harmful components of tobacco, by franchising the placental

- Alter fetal breathing (carbon monoxide, tar, irritants);

- Impair cardiac function (stimulant effect of nicotine on heart rate).

Fetal malformations are more frequent at a consumption of more than 20 cigarettes per day.

Tips

The ideal is not to combine breastfeeding and smoking!

And if the total cessation was not possible, you should at least respect these basic rules:

- Smoking after feeding or breast-feed a few hours (2-3 hours) after smoking a cigarette;

- Smoking outside of the dwelling and not next to the baby