Effects on Pregnancy and Female Infertility
Studies have linked cigarette smoking to many reproductive problems. Continuing to smoke during pregnancy may also cause health problems in the baby.
Negative effects of smoking on female fertility include:
- Greater risk for infertility. Women at greatest risk for fertility problems are those who smoke one or more packs a day and who started smoking before age 18.
- Earlier menopause. Women who smoke tend to start menopause at an earlier age than nonsmokers, perhaps because toxins in cigarette smoke damage eggs.
- Pregnancy complications. Women who smoke have a greater risk for ectopic pregnancy and miscarriage.
 | Click the icon to see an image of an ectopic pregnancy. |
Effects on Unborn Child. Smoking during pregnancy is harmful to an unborn child in many ways. Smoking reduces the mother's folate levels, a B vitamin that is important for preventing birth defects. Pregnant women who smoke increase the risk for stillbirth, prematurity, and low birth weight in their babies. Infant mortality rates in pregnant smokers are increased by 33%, mostly because of low birth rate.
Some women carry particular genes that may make it especially likely that they will deliver low birth weight infants if they smoke, although newborns of all female smokers have a greater risk for low weight.
The good news is that women who quit before becoming pregnant or even during the first trimester reduce the risk for a low birth weight baby to that of women who never smoked.
Children of mothers who smoke during pregnancy may also be at increased risk for obesity and diabetes.
Women who want to become pregnant should try smoking cessation aids before they try to conceive and make all attempts to quit. If new mothers cannot quit, they should be sure not to smoke in the same room as their infant. This simple behavior can considerably reduce the risks to the child.
Effects on Bones and Joints
Smoking has many harmful effects on bones and joints:
- Smoking can keep new bone from forming. Women who smoke are at high risk for loss of bone density and osteoporosis.
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