Secondhand smoke is harmful to pregnant women

Secondhand smoke is extremely harmful to people, especially pregnant women. It not only affects the physical health of pregnant women, but also has a great impact on the health of the fetus. If threatened by secondhand smoke for a long time, it may even cause fetal maldevelopment, miscarriage, mental retardation, etc., causing fetal growth retardation and easily induce congenital heart disease.

1. Cause fetal growth retardation

Tobacco contains a large amount of toxic substances, in addition to the well-known nicotine, there are also hydrocyanic acid, ammonia, carbon monoxide, carbon dioxide, pyridine, aromatic compounds and tar. These substances will be absorbed into the mother's blood along with the smoke, reducing the blood content in the mother's body and the blood oxygen content in the placenta. Due to lack of oxygen, the fetus may suffer from slow growth and development, resulting in low weight. The baby will be born weak and have a high risk of developing serious illness within one year of birth, with a high mortality rate.

2. Increase the risk of congenital malformations in the fetus

Smoking increases the incidence of congenital malformations in the fetus. Data show that the number of babies with congenital malformations born to smoking mothers is 23 times that of non-smoking mothers. The risk of fetal malformations such as anencephaly, cleft palate, cleft lip, dementia and physical development disorders caused by smokers is 2.5 times that of non-smokers.

3. Congenital heart disease in infants

Smoking leads to a high incidence of congenital heart disease in babies. Smoking has a huge impact on the fetus. Studies have found that typical carcinogens produced from tobacco were found in the urine of children born to smoking women. The fetus absorbs nicotine through the umbilical cord and converts it into carcinogens in the liver, which are finally excreted from the body through the kidneys, thus damaging the fetus's liver, kidneys and lungs.

4. Increase the possibility of miscarriage

Smoking during pregnancy can also accelerate the fetal heart rate and reduce respiratory movements. Nicotine and other toxic substances in the smoke can also penetrate the placenta through the blood, be transported to the fetus, and even cause damage to the immature organs.