Several studies, including some conducted in Italy, have shown that the serum concentrations of some B vitamins, particularly folate, are lower in smokers than in non-smokers. Smokers also generally have an inadequate dietary folate intake due to low consumption of fruit and vegetables.
Stop smoking, be happy! This is even more important during pregnancy
Every moment is a good one to quit smoking, but a pregnancy is just the right occasion, not only because of folic acid, but also to do something good for your health and that of the baby to come. Smoke, whether active or passive, can have many harmful effects that affect the mother, the fetus and the newborn.
Quitting smoking during pregnancy is the greatest gift you can give your baby (and yourself!). The dangers associated with smoking during pregnancy are significant, and carry an increased risk of premature birth, miscarriage and ectopic pregnancy.
Additionally, smoking can directly harm the fetus. You may not know this, but when you smoke, over 4,000 harmful chemicals are inhaled that can reach the bloodstream from the mother’s lungs. From here, they can cross the placenta and the umbilical cord and reach the fetus.
The main effect is the reduction of oxygen supply, which is essential for the correct growth of the fetus and newborn. A reduced supply of oxygen can interfere with the proper development of the lungs. Additionally, it forces the baby’s heart to pump more frequently to make up for the lack of this essential element.
The damage caused by smoking continues even after birth. The nicotine assumed by the mother passes to the newborn through the mother’s milk, making him/her irritable. Smoking also increases the risk of sudden infant death syndrome by at least 25 percent.
(Source: Veronesi Foundation)
