Does Smoking and Drinking Have a Severe Impact on the Fetus?
When we decide to bring a life into the world, in addition to providing basic material and living security for the child, we also need to restrain ourselves and give the baby a healthy body. Smoking and drinking actually have a significant impact on the development of the fetus. Tobacco and alcohol contain many harmful substances that can easily lead to miscarriage, birth defects, and preterm delivery. Even if the baby is born smoothly, it may still have a significant impact on the baby's health.
Fetal alcohol syndrome is a permanent birth defect caused by the mother's excessive alcohol consumption during pregnancy. The severity of the syndrome depends on the amount, frequency, and duration of the mother's drinking. Alcohol can enter the placenta and hinder the fetus's growth and weight, causing unique facial spots, damaging neurons and brain structures, and causing physical, mental, or behavioral problems. Prenatal alcohol exposure is assessed through interviews with the biological mother or other family members who are aware of the mother's drinking during pregnancy, prenatal health records, existing birth records, court records, addiction treatment records, or other reliable sources.
We all know that cigarettes contain many carcinogens, including nicotine, chlorides, thiocyanates, carbon monoxide, chromium, lead, and other toxic substances. Many of these substances have vascular activity and may also lower blood oxygen levels. More importantly, they also have fetal toxicity. Generally, drinking alcohol during pregnancy can have an impact on the fetus, potentially leading to congenital diseases in the baby. However, it is unnecessary to panic. Maintaining a cheerful and optimistic mood during pregnancy can also have a positive effect on the fetus.
Given the increasingly advanced medical facilities available today, it is recommended to undergo regular prenatal checkups on schedule and follow the professional advice provided by doctors. It has been proven that smoking during pregnancy can affect the fetus, including restricted fetal growth and low birth weight. There is also evidence that smoking has a direct dose-effect relationship with fetal growth. If a woman smokes and becomes pregnant, it is important to quit smoking as soon as possible, as smoking can cause mutagenic substances that affect the maturation and proliferation of reproductive cells. In heavy smokers, the rate of chromosomal abnormalities is significantly increased, and the frequency of sister chromatid exchanges in peripheral blood lymphocytes is also higher than in non-smokers.
Ideally, both partners should quit smoking completely three to six months before conception. If conditions permit, it is recommended that both husband and wife avoid smoking for at least six months before trying to conceive. In addition to quitting smoking, it is also necessary to quit nicotine-related products, including patches or gum. Smoking has a significant relationship with infertility.
