Cigarette smoking in Pregnancy

Smoking in pregnancy

Smoking women have lower and decreasing folate levels during pregnancy, possibly as a result of lower intake of these nutrients. A higher dose folic acid strategy (5 mg) with multivitamin (PregVit folic 5) should be used, as it may obtain a more adequate serum red blood cell folate level with vitamin / folic acid intake.

Health impact of smoking in pregnacy

Smoking in pregnancy results in serious risks for both the woman and the fetus. Cigarette smoking by pregnant girls and women has been shown to increase risks of complications in pregnancy and to cause serious adverse fetal outcomes including low birth weight, still births, spontaneous abortions, decreased fetal growth, premature births, placental abruption, and sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS). Other reproduction related effects of smoking include lower estrogen levels leading to early menopause and links to infertility.

Quitting smoking during pregnancy has considerable positive health impact for both women and fetuses, and reduces health problems for children born of mothers who smoke. Click here for more.