Smoking can be considered an addictive habit and it is not something that should be taken lightly. It is said to be worse than a drug addiction! But what about exposure to secondhand smoke? While most people assume that smoking affects only the smoker, this couldn't be further from the truth. Exposure to secondhand smoke can cause many health problems in both adults and children.
Additionally, pregnant women who are exposed to secondhand smoke may have several pregnancy-related complications leading to harmful effects on their unborn babies. As with anything that directly or indirectly impacts a developing baby inside his/her mother's womb – exposure to cigarette smoke must also not go unnoticed.
In this article, we will take a closer look at how much secondhand smoke is harmful during pregnancy.
The dangers of Second hand Smoke
Second-hand tobacco exposure occurs when someone inhales or comes into contact with e-cigarette vapors from someone else’s electronic cigarettes (e-cigarettes)/'vaping'. Vapor produced by an e-cigarette typically contains nicotine as well as chemicals like formaldehyde and lead. And while E-cigarettes might seem harmless enough(especially for those trying to quit regular cigarettes), but just like traditional cigarette smoking leaves traces of cadmium ,lead; polonium 210(deadly radioactive dust); carbon monoxide etc in your lungs...similarly e-cigaretttes too leave residues of heavy metals which do more harm than good- especially if you're around others who don’t 'vape'.
Among nonsmokers or passive smokers,, pregnant women are one group among whom research shows smoking can cause disabilities—no matter how short-term they are—if a woman used cigarettes while she was pregnant or was regularly near somebody else who smoked around her frequently for long periods, such as years without precautions through “venting,” such as using open windows/turning on a fan during smoking.
Still, the adverse effects of secondhand smoke exposure in pregnant women have not yet been investigated as well as primary cigarette smoke.
New research has shown that exposure to secondhand smoke can cause potential harm to an unborn child even if their mother isn't the one doing all the smoking; simply being around someone who is actively smoking (even if things are 'vented'/'aired out') or inhaling other irritating compounds like those from e-cigarettes or marijuana can vastly increase risk factors for pregnancy complications such as low birth weight/preterm labor etc.
Common causes of Second Hand Smoke Exposure During Pregnancy
Just because you're pregnant and avoiding first-hand tobacco use doesn't mean your unborn baby is getting all necessary safeguards they need unless you watch what routines/rituals smoker family/friends practice diligently while nearby!
Whereas many pregnancies progress without incident until around 40 weeks gestation, others must navigate unexpected difficulties along their journeys --even despite conscious efforts towards healthfulness. One issue that's trudgingly pervasive both pre/post natal nowadays involves public consumption areas bearing vaping cigarettes; though it appears cleaner/harmless/smell-less handrolled flavourful doobies(YOU -DO NOT- WANT TO BE AROUND BLURRED LINES OF NICOTINE AND THC!)
It's especially imperative when dealing with close friends/family members who may be walking into your home with half-lit butt ends hanging away from lips due primarily to lackadaisical fire safety however much they understand/hate risks associated therein...Also, your work setting could present hazardous levels of passive cigarrete inhalations
In most cases where people come down heavily in support over obstinate behavior about regular/treatment-focused medical concerns owed mainly monetary demands , common sense might apply more frequently now than ever before considering what undiagnosed respiratory health issues induced by repeated smoke-exposures led only to severe complications for newborns inside wombs.
In some states, the number of people exposing their unborn babies to secondhand smoke seems un-capped thanks to loose regulations/insufficient public awareness/ mandatory policies as lawmakers juggle priorities where stringent exercising rights slash stricter law enforcement.
Harmful Effects of Second Hand Smoke
Even if you don't light a single cigarette throughout pregnancy, being in contact with someone who does can still have several harmful effects on your unborn baby including affecting weight and length during fetal developmental stages which cause further complications such as high blood pressure once born into an already polluted environment (i.e from passive smoking). Here are some more specific examples:
1) Preterm birth
Being around cigarettes is one way experts believe that many pregnancies end prematurely because exposure delays proper lung development--in rare cases drastically; causing premature delivery or abnormally low weights coupled with other critical health problems like difficulty breathing allergies etc
2) Low Birth Weight
Children born weighing less than 5 pounds receive medical care at least four times more frequently postnatally/caregivers run higher risks contributing towards negative mental/emotional disorders right up through adulthood(having longer-lasting consequences).
Having considered these facts not just for smoker groups/personals but also those who share ambience spaces whereas e-cigarette smokes abound/a lot potentially puts women’s physiological conditions in harm’s way.
How Much Is Too Much
The short answer: 'there's no specified amount considered healthy'. It's alarming how fragile lungs get when adapting to respitory distress caused by excessive tobacco smoke exposure.- however, there are practical precautions anyone can take both before/during pregnancy. Most commonly suggested measures include:
- Asking loved ones/friends/nearby smoker acquaintances(say,if its a communal spot) not going beyond harmless distances away from bigger pregnant bellies(all the while making sure you communicate unpleasantness objectively)
- Following up on health guidelines regarding ventilation at home/work for better respiratory systems maintenance during pregnancy/delivery periods.
It's essential that both expectant mothers and fathers realize the importance of keeping their baby safe from harm caused by tobacco smoke exposure. Not only does this mean avoiding smoking themselves, but it also means being aware of situations where your expected cluster can inhale hazardous compounds /other potential harmful toxins/substances so one can take responsible actions leading to a safer & healthier environment for infants while inside/outside his mother's womb.
Conclusion
In summary, secondhand smoke is an urgent matter when considering its pregnant women victims or passive smokers with reduced decision making abilities; if left unchecked--and new research suggests[1] --there could be subsequent long-lasting consequences postnatally as more secondary variables involving non-communicable diseases come into play. It's crucial that we all do our part in ensuring that those around us are protected against exposure which might harm not just them, but our unborn offspring/toddlers by extension.