Five County Focus Column by Gina DeMent, Public Information Officer, Five County Mental Health Authority
Smoking is linked to many serious health problems for women.
These include heart disease, lung cancer, emphysema and stroke. If you smoke during pregnancy, your fetus is exposed to more than 2,000 harmful chemicals with each puff. You also lower the amount of oxygen and nourishment that reaches your developing baby. No amount of smoking is safe, especially early in pregnancy.
Smoking during the first days and weeks after conception–when the organs are forming–can cause damage to the developing baby that lasts a lifetime. Also, if you’re trying to get pregnant, smoking may make it harder.
Whether or not you are planning a pregnancy, you should quit smoking. If you’ve tried before and failed, try again. Most people who try to quit need to keep trying before they succeed. If you can’t quit, at least cut down.
It’s best to stop smoking before you become pregnant. If you smoke while you are pregnant:
– You are more likely to have a miscarriage or stillbirth.
– Your baby could be born too small or too soon. Babies born too small may have breathing and other health problems.
– Your baby may have learning and behavior problems in childhood.
– Your baby is at increased risk of dying from crib death (sudden infant death syndrome). This illness causes a baby who seems healthy to die without any warning.
– Your baby may be at increased risk of a cleft lip/palate.
keep in mind…..
– Your doctor or other health care professional can help you develop a plan to stop smoking.
– Some people like to join stop-smoking groups. You can get a referral to a local group from:
– Five County Mental Health Authority, 252-492-4011 ext 261
– The American Cancer Society, (800) ACS-2345 (Spanish service available)
– The American Lung Association, (800) LUNGUSA (800-586-4872)
– Some people prefer to quit on their own. You can get a self-help guide from the American Cancer Society or the American Lung Association.
– Nicotine gum or patches often help heavy smokers quit.
– Even if you don’t smoke, the smoke from someone else’s cigarette can hurt your health and the health of your unborn baby. Stay away from places where people are smoking.
Five County Mental Health Authority provides smoking cessation classes free of charge to the community and area businesses. Freshstart classes will be held January 17th, 19th, 24th and 26th from 6 pm —7pm at the Vance Clinic located at 125 Charles Rollins Road, Henderson, NC. Call Anne Williams, Prevention specialist at 492-4011 ext 261 for more information.