Secondhand exposure to smoking in the first trimester of pregnancy is hazardous to fetal health

Secondhand exposure to smoking in the first trimester of pregnancy is hazardous to fetal health

Smoking in pregnancy is harmful to both the mother as well as her unborn child. Women who smoke or are exposed to secondhand smoke during pregnancy are at greater risk for spontaneous pregnancy losses, preterm births, preterm premature rupture of membranes, placenta previa, abruptio placentae and still births.

Most of these risks can be reduced by avoiding secondhand smoking, said Padma Shri Awardee, Prof (Dr.) A. Marthanda Pillai, National President Indian Medical Association (IMA) and Padma Shri Awardee, Dr K K Aggarwal, Hony. Secretary General, IMA.

The IMA campaign on Tobacco cessation will continue till 31st May, 2015 with a Tableau, which will go around Delhi/NCR to create awareness on how to quit smoking.

Quitting smoking during pregnancy has beneficial aspects but most benefits occur if one quits smoking or avoids exposure to secondhand smoke during the first three months of pregnancy.

In pregnancy, there is nothing like reducing or cutting down on smoking.  It has to be a “Zero Smoking Policy.” For women who cannot quit, drugs are not contraindicated.

About 50% of women who quit, restart within 2 months. Therefore, continuing counselling is required.