A new study has found that pregnant women who smoke tobacco during pregnancy are at a higher risk of giving birth prematurely, compared to women who do not smoke during pregnancy.

The research was conducted by the team of researchers at the University of Cincinnati College of Medicine and Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center. The research highlights the need for pregnant women to stop smoking tobacco to prevent premature birth.

What is Premature Birth?

Premature birth is when a baby is born before 37 weeks of gestation. This can lead to several problems for the baby, including breathing difficulties, low birth weight, and developmental problems.

Premature birth can also lead to long-term health problems for the baby, such as cerebral palsy, vision problems, and learning difficulties.

The Study

The study was conducted by researchers at the University of Cincinnati College of Medicine and Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center. The researchers analyzed data collected from over 400,000 pregnancies between 2010 and 2017.

The study found that pregnant women who smoke tobacco during pregnancy are at a higher risk of giving birth prematurely, compared to women who do not smoke during pregnancy.

Results of the Study

The study found that smoking tobacco during pregnancy increases the risk of premature birth by 27%. The risk increases with the number of cigarettes smoked per day.

Women who smoked more than 10 cigarettes per day were at a higher risk of premature birth compared to those who smoked less than 10 cigarettes per day. The study also found that the risk of premature birth was higher in younger women.

Why Smoking During Pregnancy is Harmful?

Smoking during pregnancy can lead to several health problems for the mother and the baby. Smoking increases the risk of premature birth, low birth weight, stillbirth, and sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS).

Smoking during pregnancy can also lead to long-term health problems for the baby, such as asthma, bronchitis, and ear infections. Smoking during pregnancy can also affect the development of the baby’s brain, leading to developmental problems.

How to Quit Smoking During Pregnancy?

Quitting smoking during pregnancy is essential to reduce the risk of premature birth and other health problems. Here are some tips to quit smoking during pregnancy:.

Seek the help of a healthcare professional who can guide you through the quitting process.
Join a support group for pregnant women who are quitting smoking.
Avoid triggers that make you want to smoke, such as drinking alcohol or being around smokers.
Ask your partner, friends, and family for support and encouragement.

The Bottom Line

The study conducted by the University of Cincinnati College of Medicine and Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center found that smoking tobacco during pregnancy increases the risk of premature birth.

Pregnant women who smoke tobacco should seek the help of a healthcare professional to quit smoking and reduce the risk of premature birth and other health problems.