New Delhi: Pregnancy is one of the magical journeys that a woman experiences. A healthy life and a healthy diet are suggested to keep the mother’s and the baby’s health fit but in India around 67 per cent of the women chew tobacco. Studies reveal that chewing tobacco is found to have a negative impact on the health of the mother and the foetus. This research was conducted to examine the trend in chewing use among pregnant women in India.
Dr Sushruta Mokadam, consultant obstetrician at Motherhood Hospital, Kharadi, Pune shared with News9, “Tobacco consumption not only causes lung, heart, or neurological problems but even pregnancy issues. Yes, that’s right! Tobacco is a strict no-no during pregnancy as it can negatively impact the health of the mother and the baby.”
How does chewing tobacco affect pregnancy?
• Nicotine and other harmful chemicals present in tobacco products are known to restrict blood flow to the placenta, and there can be various complications such as low birth weight and premature birth.
• The chemicals in tobacco tend to pass through the placenta to the fetus, increasing the risk of congenital disabilities and developmental issues in the babies that can be concerning for parents.
• According to various studies, pregnant women who use tobacco in any form have higher chances of pregnancy complications such as preeclampsia (a type of high blood pressure during pregnancy) and stillbirth.
• Other common problems such as reduced birth weight and increases in the number of low birth weight babies and premature deliveries can be attributed to tobacco consumption. Babies born to such mothers who use tobacco will have slow growth and development. Some women may also have the risk of miscarriages. Tobacco is indeed a threat to motherhood and there can be intra-uterine growth retardation and permanent damage to the lungs and brain of the baby.
• The newborn baby can suffer from defects of mouth and lips, obesity, asthma, heart diseases, growth retardation, sudden infant death syndrome, and behavioural changes due to the mother’s habit of smoking during pregnancy.
Quitting smoking is the need of the hour for a successful pregnancy outcome. Women should take utmost care of themselves during pregnancy to be able to deliver healthy babies.
Prenatal care is a vital aspect of pregnancy that involves, healthy eating, moderate exercise, de-stressing by yoga and meditation, quitting smoking and alcohol, sleeping well, and taking supplements recommended by the doctor.
According to expert, tobacco consumption not only causes lung, heart, or neurological problems but even pregnancy issues. Yes, that’s right! Tobacco is a strict no-no during pregnancy as it can negatively impact the health of the mother and the baby Health Conditions Health News: Latest News from Health Care, Mental Health, Weight Loss, Disease, Nutrition, Healthcare
