Smoking is harmful to health, and this statement is mentioned everywhere from cigarette packaging to medical articles. One of the adverse effects of smoking is the increased risk of premature birth.

Premature birth refers to delivering the baby before 37 weeks of pregnancy. Early delivery can pose a significant threat to the infant’s health and even risk his or her life. Smoking is a well-known risk factor for premature birth, and quitting smoking can help decrease the likelihood of giving birth to a preterm baby.

What Causes Premature Birth?

Before diving into the relationship between smoking and premature birth, let’s first learn about the primary causes of early delivery. Some of the causes of premature birth include:.

Poor prenatal care: Getting regular prenatal care is essential to identify any risk factors that may pose a threat to the baby’s health and handle them early on.
Multiple pregnancies: Women carrying twin, triplet, or higher multiples have a higher risk of delivering earlier than women with single pregnancies.
Infections: Infections such as urinary tract infection, vaginal infections, and gum disease can cause inflammation, leading to premature delivery.
Pregnancy complications: Pregnancy complications such as gestational diabetes, preeclampsia, and placental problems can cause premature delivery.
Lifestyle factors: Lifestyle factors such as smoking, alcohol use, drug abuse, and lack of exercise can contribute to early delivery.

Smoking and Premature Birth

Smoking during pregnancy can increase the risk of premature birth. Studies have shown that even exposure to second-hand smoke can have adverse effects on the fetus.

Smoking releases harmful chemicals such as nicotine, carbon monoxide, and tar, which can cross the placenta and reach the fetus. These chemicals can cause the following:.

Decreased oxygen supply: Smoking decreases the amount of oxygen flowing to the fetus, which can affect growth and development and increase the risk of premature birth.
Increased inflammation: Smoking causes inflammation throughout the body, including the uterus, which can cause contractions and increase the likelihood of premature labor.
Damage to the fetal lungs: Smoking can affect the development of the fetal lungs and increase the risk of respiratory distress syndrome (RDS), a severe breathing disorder that affects premature babies.
Low birth weight: Smoking can cause the baby to weigh less than expected, which is associated with a higher risk of health problems.

The risks of smoking during pregnancy are not only limited to premature birth, but they can also cause severe health problems in the baby, such as birth defects, stillbirth, sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS), and others.

The Benefits of Quitting Smoking

Quitting smoking is never easy, but it’s vital for the health of both the mother and the baby, especially during pregnancy. Here are some of the benefits of quitting:.

Decreased risk of premature birth: Quitting smoking can help decrease the risk of giving birth to a premature baby.
Improved fetal development: Quitting smoking can give the fetus the chance to develop normally and decrease the risk of health problems.
Increased oxygen supply: Quitting smoking can help the fetus receive more oxygen, which is essential for growth and development.
Decreased risk of low birth weight: Quitting smoking can help the baby weigh more at birth, decreasing the likelihood of health problems.
Improved maternal health: Quitting smoking can improve the mother’s health and help prevent pregnancy complications such as preeclampsia, placental problems, and others.

How to Quit Smoking

Quitting smoking is a challenging process, but it’s worth the effort. Here are some tips that can help:.

Set a quit date: Choose a date to quit smoking and stick to it.
Identify triggers: Identify situations that trigger the urge to smoke and find ways to avoid them or manage them differently.
Get support: Tell your family, friends, and healthcare provider that you plan to quit smoking; they can provide you with encouragement and support.
Consider nicotine replacement therapy: Nicotine replacement therapy such as nicotine gum, patches, or lozenges can help reduce withdrawal symptoms.
Engage in healthy activities: Engage in activities that can distract you from smoking such as exercise, reading, or taking a warm bath.

Conclusion

Smoking during pregnancy can have severe consequences on both the mother and the baby, including the increased risk of premature birth.

Quitting smoking is essential to decrease the likelihood of preterm delivery and improve the health of both the mother and the baby. If you’re struggling to quit smoking, talk to your healthcare provider for assistance and support.