Narrative:
I would like to talk to you about the effects of tobacco use and exposure to secondhand smoke on you and your baby during pregnancy. Remember- you are breathing for two and your growing baby is very much affected by the chemicals, toxins, and carcinogens in tobacco smoke. Maybe you know other Moms who smoked during pregnancy, or maybe you even smoked during a previous pregnancy and everything was O.K. But, every pregnancy and every baby is different.
Studies have shown that the harmful effects on a baby of smoking during pregnancy are not always seen at birth, and problems may not be apparent for years to come.
The bottom line is, if you smoke while pregnant, you take a big risk with your baby’s health.
If you smoke during pregnancy, or are exposed to secondhand smoke:
- your baby may be born too early
- or be born underweight
- your baby may have smaller lungs
- babies born too early or underweight may get sick more often and may have more health problems
Smoking and exposure to secondhand smoke also increases the risk of SIDS (Sudden Infant Death Syndrome). There is no safe level of smoke during pregnancy or after the birth.
There are many free resources available to you, including nicotine replacement therapies.
Call your doctor, or contact the Garrett County Health Department at 301-334-7730.
Let us help you Quit! We can meet one on one, or we do have groups that meet in January, April and October. To set up individual sessions, or to inquire about the meetings, please call 301-334-7730, this is the GCHD.
And remember, quitting now is the best thing you can do for your health and
for your baby’s health now and for the future.
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Too often smoking is though of as no big deal. It is a big deal. Depending on how much the mother smokes the baby could also have withdraw from the nicotine which can be as bad as withdraw from other drugs like cocaine.
Important info!
Tobacco hurts everyone including an unborn child.
Great resource to share. Thanks!
Good info to share. Free help!
Individual sessions. Hope many take advantage of this opportunity!!
Nice job, Lori!
Great information!
Secondhand smoke is very unhealthy for unborn children.
Protect the innocents.
Excellent information. Thanks so much for sharing.
Great information on an important topic.
This information is so important and true!
It’s awesome to have the GCHD to help if you need it.
There are so many resources available to help quit.
For those who smoke, quitting now is the best thing they can do. It is nice that help is available.
Keep up the good work!
Such important info! Thanks.
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