Great American Smokeout!

Today is it. If you're a smoker, commit now to quit for your health and financial well-being. Your baby and family will thank you too!

From OTIS Pregnancy:

The chemicals in cigarettes cross the placenta (the source of nutrition and oxygen for the baby) and have a direct negative effect on the unborn baby and also cause constriction (tightening) of the placenta to decrease oxygen to the baby.

The most consistent finding with cigarettes during pregnancy is that they cause intrauterine growth retardation (IUGR or low birth weight). Low birth weight is a concern because babies with low birth weight have higher rates of being sick and not surviving infancy. Low birth weight may also be linked to higher rates of chronic adult health conditions, such as heart disease.

Additionally, smoking cigarettes may cause a small increase in the chance for a cleft lip and/or palate in the baby and an increase in miscarriage, premature delivery, and SIDS. Higher rates of breathing problems in children like asthma and behavioral issues like hyperactivity have also been associated with prenatal smoking.

Quitting smoking and remaining smoke free will make it more likely that your baby will be born with a normal weight, come home with you from the hospital, suffer less health problems during infancy and possibly all the way through adulthood.

Talk with your doctor about the process of quitting, why it would be helpful to your health, your pregnancy, your other children, and your finances. Your healthcare provider may be able to brain storm situations that trigger smoking, offer other stress management techniques, describe the process of withdrawal, and help you identify persons to support a quit attempt. Free phone counseling to stop smoking is available by national telephone hotlines including 1-800-QUIT-NOW. Guidance is also available at www.smokefree.org

Call the Utah Quit Line at: 1-888-567-TRUTH or www.utahquitnet.com