“Smoking during pregnancy is estimated to account for 20 to 30 percent of low-birth weight babies, up to 14 percent of preterm deliveries…” (American Lung Association.) The nicotine that a pregnant woman ingests from cigarettes goes directly to her baby through blood flow, and can increase the chance of premature birth. When a baby is delivered prematurely, it will affect how long the newborn has to stay in the hospital because the baby will more than likely be sick. Majority of premature newborns are below average weight and are not fully developed internally. A newborn’s lungs and brain is not fully developed until at least thirty-six weeks (acog.org), so this can cause breathing problems at birth, and even breathing problems extended into his or her childhood (cdc.gov.) Premature birth is a serious effect from smoking during pregnancy, but there can be worse
“Smoking during pregnancy is estimated to account for 20 to 30 percent of low-birth weight babies, up to 14 percent of preterm deliveries…” (American Lung Association.) The nicotine that a pregnant woman ingests from cigarettes goes directly to her baby through blood flow, and can increase the chance of premature birth. When a baby is delivered prematurely, it will affect how long the newborn has to stay in the hospital because the baby will more than likely be sick. Majority of premature newborns are below average weight and are not fully developed internally. A newborn’s lungs and brain is not fully developed until at least thirty-six weeks (acog.org), so this can cause breathing problems at birth, and even breathing problems extended into his or her childhood (cdc.gov.) Premature birth is a serious effect from smoking during pregnancy, but there can be worse