The harmful effects of smoking during pregnancy have been widely publicized and advertised but pregnant women who have smoked before becoming pregnant still tend to smoke, perhaps because the facts have not been put to them strongly enough. Women who smoke have more difficulty becoming pregnant and have a higher risk of never becoming pregnant.<br />Smoking during pregnancy produces small babies – smaller than nature intended them to be. This is because nicotine effect the blood vessels from the mother to the baby – think of them as food and oxygen carriers – to contract, thereby cutting down the baby’s supply of food and oxygen. The serious result of this is that not only is the baby physically smaller, but brain growth also is restricted.<br /> In addition, smoking during pregnancy can cause tissue damage in the unborn baby, particularly in the lung, so babies have weaker lungs than other babies, which increases the risk for many health problems. Smoking doubles the risk of abnormal bleeding during pregnancy and delivery. This can put both the pregnant mother and the baby in danger. Smoking raises baby's risk for birth defects, including cleft lip, cleft palate, or both.<br />Moreover, studies also suggest a relationship between tobacco and miscarriage. Carbon monoxide in tobacco smoke can keep the developing baby from getting enough oxygen. Tobacco smoke also contains other chemicals that can harm unborn babies.<br />Consequently, the baby is not only smaller; he may also be less intelligent and have many health problems. Smoking after birth carries different hazards. Babies who live in a house where there is cigarette and other smoke have more frequent coughs and colds than those brought up in a smoke - free home.<br /><br />Prepared by- Professor. Dr. Muna Abdulwahab Khaleel <br /> College of Nursing / Al-Mustaqbal University / 2023-2024<br /><br />