Low birthweight babies are more likely to have health problems than normal weight babies. Secondary smoke from other household members or coworkers is also unhealthy during pregnancy. This is true after birth as well. Babies exposed to secondary smoke are more likely to get respiratory infections and colds. Quitting as soon as you realize you are pregnant is best, but quitting anytime during your pregnancy will help your baby.
Cigarette smoking is addictive and it can be very hard to quit.
Nicotine patches, gum, and other methods of quitting should be discussed with your physicianAlcohol Drinking alcohol during pregnancy can seriously harm the developing fetus. When you drink alcohol, your bloodstream absorbs it quickly and passes it on to the fetus. Babies with FAS often grow more slowly, both before and after birth. Babies whose mothers consumed alcohol during pregnancy are also at greater risk for low birthweight, alcohol withdrawal symptoms, developmental delays, mental retardation, and learning disabilities. These effects are most common in babies whose mothers drank more than five drinks per day throughout pregnancy.