The harms of smoking on pregnant women in the first month


Discover with us the dangers of smoking on pregnant women in the first month. If you smoke, it is necessary to realize how smoking affects your health and the health of your fetus, as it can lead to birth defects and miscarriage. Taking vitamins and nutritional supplements with smoking negatively affects pregnancy and the fetus, even before pregnancy occurs. Therefore, if you are a smoker, it is preferable to stop smoking for a sufficient period before pregnancy to avoid any negative effects on the fetus. In this article from Dalili Medical, we will review the harms of smoking on pregnant women in the first month, to help you stay away from this habit before pregnancy.

**How ​​many cigarettes can a pregnant woman smoke?**

 

If a pregnant woman smokes one to 9 cigarettes a day, the risk of her child being exposed to sudden death after birth increases by 4 times. If she smokes 20 cigarettes or more a day, the risk increases to 8 times.

**Is smoking in the first month of pregnancy harmful?**

 

Smoking during pregnancy can lead to long-term health risks for the baby, such as an increased likelihood of catching a cold, lung problems, learning difficulties, and physical development problems.

**Is one cigarette a day harmful to the fetus?**

 

Smoking one or two cigarettes a day before or during pregnancy is significantly associated with increased health risks for newborns.

**How ​​much smoking can lead to miscarriage?**

 

The risk of miscarriage increases with the number of cigarettes smoked, increasing by 1% for each cigarette smoked per day. Exposure to secondhand smoke during pregnancy also increases the risk of miscarriage by 11%.

**Does smoking cause fetal malformations?**

 

Smoking increases the risk of a number of birth defects. The likelihood of a child being born with missing or deformed limbs increases by 26%, while the likelihood of a cleft lip deformity reaches 28%, and the likelihood of clubfoot increases by the same percentage. The risk of skull deformity increases by 33%, and eye deformities by 25%.

**When does smoking start to affect the fetus?**

 

The effect of smoking cigarettes or hookah on the fetus begins even before pregnancy, as the smoking mother suffers from health problems that threaten the pregnancy from the first moment it occurs, which may lead to delayed pregnancy or repeated miscarriage. Therefore, the mother is advised to refrain from smoking and hookah before pregnancy, or at least once she is sure of her pregnancy.

**Does hookah affect pregnant women in the first month?**

 

Certainly, hookah affects pregnant women during the first month, as it increases problems related to irrigation and breathing, especially for mothers who smoke cigarettes or hookah a lot before and during the beginning of pregnancy. The harm of smoking and hookah is not limited to the pregnancy stage only, but is related to the general harm of these substances to the health of the mother and her fetus. Therefore, it is necessary to quit smoking hookah or cigarettes from the first day of pregnancy

**Smoking hookah once a week for pregnant women: Is it harmful?**

 

Smoking hookah once a week during pregnancy increases the risk of sudden infant death by 7% to 18%. This means that smoking hookah weekly can significantly increase the chances of losing the baby after birth. Although smoking hookah once a week is considered less harmful than daily smoking, the risks and harms remain and increase with each time the pregnant woman smokes, whether it is a hookah or one cigarette a day.

**Does the smell of hookah affect the pregnant woman? And what is the effect of the father's smoking on the fetus?**

 

The pregnant woman is exposed to the smell of smoke and hookah less harmful than direct smoking, but passive smoking still poses a threat to the health of the pregnancy and the fetus. The risks increase the worse the conditions in which the pregnant woman is exposed to the smell of smoke, such as being in closed places with smokers at home, work or cafes. Having a smoking father also increases the likelihood of birth defects in the fetus, and this effect begins from the first day of pregnancy.

**Does smoking affect the fetus?**

 

Smoking is one of the factors that increase the risk of miscarriage in pregnant women, especially in the first months of pregnancy, when the fetus is not completely stable inside the uterus. In addition, smoking contributes to reducing the growth of fetuses, which is one of the main causes of fetal death.

**How ​​does smoking affect the fetus?**

 

When a pregnant woman inhales cigarette smoke, chemicals are transferred to the developing fetus. Pregnant women who smoke expose their fetuses to great risks, as the likelihood of health problems for the child increases by 25% among regular smokers, and the percentage may reach 65% or more among heavy smokers.

**The harms of passive smoking on pregnant women in the first month**

Passive smoking negatively affects the growth of the fetus during the first month of pregnancy. It leads to a reduction in the normal weight of the fetus at this critical stage. It also causes damage to the fetus's brain arteries during the early stages of development. Pregnant women exposed to passive smoking are at risk of miscarriage or preeclampsia in the first month. In addition, passive smoking can hinder pregnancy in general. Passive smoking also causes fetal malformations during pregnancy. The pregnant woman inhales many toxic substances, including nicotine and other chemicals, which are transmitted to the fetus in the first month.

Passive smoking may also increase the likelihood of the pregnant woman developing diabetes or high blood pressure during pregnancy. It also leads to narrowing of the blood vessels in her body in the first month.

Passive smoking prevents vital oxygen from reaching the fetus, which increases its heart rate during the first months. It also reduces the normal growth of the fetus's organs.

Passive smoking increases the fetal heart rate during the first months of pregnancy.

Passive smoking negatively affects the normal growth of the fetus's organs.

Passive smoking reduces the levels of antioxidants in the pregnant woman's blood during the first months.

Passive smoking destroys the vitamin C she needsPregnant women, which affects the efficiency of their immune system in the first month.

The possibility of a pregnant woman developing eye and nose allergies or persistent sore throat increases as a result of exposure to passive smoking in the first month.

**Harms of hookah on pregnant women in the first month**

**Poor oxygen supply to the fetus:** One of the most prominent harms of hookah smoking in the first months of pregnancy is reducing the amount of oxygen reaching the fetus, which is still in the development stages. Lack of oxygen and blood flow to the uterus and placenta may lead to serious deformities of the fetus.

**Fetal deformities:** The possibility of giving birth to a child with a hernia or a gastric cleft increases by 40% in mothers who smoke hookah or cigarettes in the first months of pregnancy. Among the common fetal deformities resulting from the mother's smoking at the beginning of pregnancy are chronic respiratory problems and deformities in the heart and limbs, which may result from direct or passive smoking.

**Risk of early miscarriage:** Mothers who smoke hookah or cigarettes in the first weeks or months of pregnancy are more likely to lose their pregnancy and miscarry in the first trimester, or to give birth prematurely between the sixth and eighth months.

**Oral and dental health problems for pregnant women:** Pregnant women usually suffer from toothache and various oral problems, and continued smoking in the first months of pregnancy may exacerbate gum and tooth problems, which may lead to serious conditions.

**The effects of mood problems increase in pregnant women**: The pregnant woman's psyche goes through many fluctuations during the first months of pregnancy. Contrary to what may be believed, smoking and using hookah increase the severity of these natural mood swings. On the one hand, the desire to smoke and hookah increases as a means of dealing with the pressures of pregnancy, and on the other hand, the mother feels guilty and depressed because she smoked at the beginning of her pregnancy.

**The harms of smoking and hookah on pregnant women**

**Placental abruption:** The placenta is considered one of the essential elements for the continuation of pregnancy, as it supplies the fetus with oxygen and necessary nutrients. If the placenta separates from its natural place in the uterine wall in pregnant women who are addicted to smoking or hookah, this may cause serious health problems, such as severe bleeding or premature birth.

**High blood pressure:** Addiction to smoking or using hookah contributes to increasing the chances of high blood pressure in pregnant women. This condition is particularly dangerous, as it negatively affects the health of the fetus, which may deprive the fetus of getting enough blood.

**Increased chances of disease:** Pregnant women are particularly exposed to the risk of respiratory diseases, due to weak immunity and weak muscles and bones during pregnancy. This increases the likelihood of diseases and inflammatory problems resulting from infection, whether due to the use of a hookah hose contaminated with microbes, or as a result of the negative effect of smoking and hookah on the respiratory system.

**Premature birth:** Many studies indicate that pregnant women who smoke, whether through cigarettes or hookah, face a significant increase in cases of premature birth. This exposes the fetus to multiple health risks, which may reach the risk of death.

**Physical fatigue and exhaustion:** Smoking negatively affects the body's energy and vitality, leading to a feeling of fatigue and exhaustion, especially due to its effect on oxygen levels in the body. This problem increases in pregnant women who are already suffering from the troubles and pains of pregnancy.

**Increased addiction to hookah and cigarettes:** Many pregnant women suffer from changes in their sense of taste during pregnancy, which increases their appetite for certain flavors, which is known as pregnancy cravings. This may lead to their attraction to various flavors of molasses, and some of them may even wish to taste or eat molasses alone, which increases the state of addiction and makes it difficult for them to stop smoking hookah.

**The effect of smoking and hookah on the fetus**

 

Smoking and using hookah negatively affect the fetus inside the womb of the pregnant mother, and the most prominent of these effects are:

. **Low fetal weight**: Low fetal weight is one of the main risks associated with smoking and hookah addiction during pregnancy. This may lead to the birth of a child with a low weight due to inefficient growth inside the womb, which may later cause congenital problems. However, in some cases, the fetus can be born normally despite these risks.

. **Effect on fetal movement**: Smoking and hookah can affect fetal movement shortly after smoking, as fetal movement and activity may be weak. This is often due to the lack of oxygen reaching the uterus after smoking.

. **Fetal exposure to lung problems**: There is a possibility that the efficiency of the lungs of the newborn fetus will be affected due to the mother's smoking or extensive use of hookah during pregnancy. The risk of the fetus developing asthma problems in the future may also increase.

. **Congenital malformations resulting from smoking**: These problems include a group of physical defects that may appear after a period of time after the birth of the fetus, and these defects may be functional, such as brain problems or defects in vital functions.

**Sudden infant death syndrome is a condition that leads to the unexpected death of a child under one year old, without a clear or direct cause. This condition often occurs while the infant is sleeping. It is believed that smoking and using hookah during pregnancy may increase the likelihood of these risks occurring after the birth of the child.

**The Effects of Smoking on the Mother During Pregnancy**

**Miscarriage and Stillbirth**Miscarriage, or unexpected pregnancy loss, is a traumatic event that can occur at any stage of pregnancy, most often in the first trimester. In rare cases, it may occur after 20 weeks, which is known as stillbirth. Smoking increases the risk of early miscarriage and stillbirth, due to the harmful chemicals in theUnfair. Smoking can also lead to other complications that affect the placental artery or slow the growth of the fetus, increasing the likelihood of miscarriage or stillbirth.

**Ectopic pregnancy** Nicotine can cause contractions in the fallopian tubes, preventing the egg from reaching the uterus in the early stages of pregnancy. This can lead to an ectopic pregnancy, where the fertilized egg is implanted outside the uterus, either in the fallopian tube or in the abdominal cavity. In this case, surgical removal of the fetus is required to avoid serious complications.

**Placental abruption** The placenta is a vital structure that forms during pregnancy to provide the fetus with nutrients and oxygen. Smoking is a major factor that increases the risk of many complications associated with the placenta. Among these complications is placental abruption, a condition in which the placenta separates from the uterine wall before birth. Placental abruption can lead to severe bleeding, which poses a threat to the lives of both mother and fetus. There is no surgical method or effective treatment to reattach the placenta, but prompt medical care can increase the chances of a safe delivery, even if a separation occurs.

**Placenta Previa** Smoking is a risk factor associated with placenta previa (Placenta Previa) during pregnancy. The placenta normally grows in the upper part of the uterus, allowing the cervix to open for the birth process. However, placenta previa occurs when the placenta remains in the lower part of the uterus, partially or completely, covering the cervix. This often results in a rupture of the placenta, causing severe bleeding and negatively affecting the fetus’s supply of nutrients and oxygen.

**Harms of the smell of smoke and hookah to pregnant women**

 

**Passive smoking:** Even if you are not a smoker, your frequent exposure to the smell of cigarette or hookah smoke means that you are exposed to passive smoking, which can cause many problems and risks to your health and the health of the fetus. These risks are very similar to the harms of direct smoking, although they may be less severe.

**Exposure to carbon monoxide:** Carbon monoxide is a toxic gas that negatively affects the health of the body. For pregnant women, this gas can reduce the amount of oxygen reaching the fetus, affecting its growth and development, and may cause sudden miscarriage, premature birth, or respiratory problems for the infant.

**Nicotine inhalation:** All types of smoke contain nicotine, which causes harm even in the absence of direct use, as a result of inhalation during pregnancy.

Difficulty breathing: Pregnant women usually suffer from relative breathing problems due to the pressure of the fetus on the diaphragm muscle, which restricts its movement. This problem worsens when the pregnant woman is exposed to hookah or cigarette smoke for long periods, as the smoke from them exacerbates difficulty breathing and a lack of oxygen in the surrounding environment, which may develop into a state of shortness of breath that requires emergency measures.

Fatigue and dizziness: Inhaling hookah and cigarette smoke for a long period of time, exceeding an hour, can affect the stability of the pregnant woman's body, leading to a feeling of physical exhaustion and fatigue, accompanied by dizziness and nausea due to the lack of oxygen in the surrounding environment.

**Quitting smoking and hookah during pregnancy** Quitting smoking and hookah during pregnancy is very important and necessary. There are some steps and guidelines that can help achieve this, including:

**Starting before pregnancy**: Pregnancies are often planned in advance by the couple, so it is preferable to try to quit smoking and hookah before making the decision to have children. This effort should be a joint effort between the couple to ensure a healthy environment that supports the health of the mother and the fetus.

**No indulgence**: You should completely avoid smoking cigarettes or hookah during pregnancy. Do not tell yourself that I will smoke one cigarette a day or I will smoke hookah once a week, because every time you smoke you put your fetus's life at great risk.

**Follow up with a specialist doctor:** If you smoke cigarettes or hookah for a period before or during pregnancy, it is best to follow the advice of a specialist doctor who will help you take safer, healthier steps to quit smoking. These steps may include certain exercises or nicotine replacement medications, which will help protect your pregnancy.

**Focus on your child's health:** Every woman should be willing to sacrifice for the health of her children, but this requires awareness and determination. There are rumors that hookah is less harmful than cigarettes and does not negatively affect the pregnant woman, which may make some women forget the importance of the health of the fetus and believe that it is safe. Therefore, you should always be on the side of your child's health and safety, which prompts you to be patient and stay away from all forms of smoking, including hookah.

**Getting rid of hookah items during pregnancy:** It is preferable to remove the hookah and everything related to it from the house during pregnancy, and not to allow it to be used, because this may bring back your desire to smoke. Asking for help from your husband and relatives: Supporting your surroundings and supporting your decision to quit smoking or hookah and preventing you from doing so is also important and beneficial, and the husband has a special role in this.

Avoid smoking places: Especially closed places in order to avoid exposure to passive smoking resulting from regular smoke and hookah, and thus exposing the fetus and mother to many health risks.