The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) message is clear—don't smoke when pregnant, and protect yourself and your children from secondhand tobacco smoke.
Many studies have shown that if a woman smokes or is exposed to secondhand smoke during pregnancy, her child may be born too early (prematurely) or be smaller than normal.
Other effects caused by smoking during pregnancy may include:
Sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS)
Decreased fetal breathing
Learning problems
Respiratory disorders
Heart disease as an adult
After birth, children exposed to secondhand tobacco smoke have more respiratory infections, bronchitis, pneumonia, poor lung function, and asthma than children who aren't exposed. Smoke exposure is most dangerous for younger children because they spend more time in close proximity to parents or other smokers, and they have immature lungs.
If you smoke, quit. Ask your obstetrician, primary care doctor, or your child's pediatrician for free help, or call 1-800-QUIT-NOW.
If you can't quit, don't expose your child to smoke—make your home and car completely smoke free.
If you are a non-smoker and live with a smoker, encourage your partner or family/friend to quit smoking.
The AAP recommends several things to protect children and pregnant women from secondhand smoke and to make sure smokers who want to quit can do so. The AAP supports legislation that would prohibit smoking in public places, including outdoor public places that children frequent. Other AAP-recommended actions include banning tobacco advertising, including an adult rating to movies, TV shows, or video games that show tobacco use, and smoking bans in multi-unit housing like apartment buildings and condos.
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