The nicotine and carbon monoxide found in cigarette smoke is linked with many bad pregnancy outcomes including: Low Birth Weight Babies, Preterm Delivery, Premature Rupture of Membranes, Placental abnormalities, increased risk of sudden infant death syndrome etc.
Women who smoke during pregnancy are 3.5 times more likely to delivery a low birth weight baby. Third trimester smoking has been shown to have the utmost impact on the growth of the fetus. Low birth weight babies may not function as well as their fuller figured counterparts.
Preterm delivery is also 2.5 more likely among women that are smokers. Premature rupture of the membranes is much more common in women who smoke, and can lead to low birth weight or preterm delivery. PROM puts a woman and her baby at increased risk for infection and other labor & delivery complications.
Smoking also increases the danger of placental abruption, where the placenta separates from the uterine wall prior to delivery, which can be a life threatening condition for both mother and baby. Placenta previa is also much more common among women who smoke, and can result in blood loss and hemorrhaging.
To quit smoking during your pregnancy is the most imperative thing you have to do for your and your newborn baby health. You should consult with your healthcare provider, who can refer you to a smoking cessation program and offer you suggestions for ways to give up.