She urges women to keep their doctors informed about their smoking throughout pregnancy, and she urges physicians to guide their patients in reducing or quitting smoking. We know these women have an addiction, and there are treatments available. Women who smoke during pregnancy are more likely to have toddlers who display negative behaviors, such as impulsiveness, risky behavior, and rebelliousness. These behaviors often persist into adulthood. If a woman who smokes becomes pregnant, she should try to quit or at least cut down on smoking to prevent these behavior problems as well as premature birth and low birth weight.
Researchers are still unsure why smoking during pregnancy is associated with negative behaviors.
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