X
theAsianparent Philippines Logo
theAsianparent Philippines Logo
EnglishFilipino
  • Building a BakuNation
  • Becoming a Parent
    • Trying to Conceive
    • Pregnancy
    • Delivery
    • Losing a Baby
    • Project Sidekicks
  • Ages & Stages
    • Baby
    • Toddler Years
    • Preschool Age
    • Kids
    • Preteen & Teen
  • Parenting
    • Parent's Guide
    • News
    • Relationship & Sex
  • Health & Wellness
    • Diseases & Injuries
    • Allergies & Conditions
    • Vaccinations
  • Education
    • Preschool
    • K-12
    • Special Education Needs
  • Lifestyle Section
    • Celebrities
    • Contests & Promotions
    • Home
    • Travel and Leisure
    • Fashion
    • Fitness
    • Wellness
    • Money
  • Become a VIP
  • COVID-19
  • Press Room
  • TAP Recommends
  • Shopping

What your unborn baby does when you smoke is heartbreaking

3 min read
What your unborn baby does when you smoke is heartbreakingWhat your unborn baby does when you smoke is heartbreaking

The researchers found that fetuses whose mothers smoke exhibited a significantly higher rate of mouth movements than the normal declining rate of movements expected in a fetus during pregnancy.

It’s no brainer that smoking is bad. It’s also very addictive—that’s one of the reasons why it’s so hard to quit. Even pregnant mothers find it hard to quit, and so as a result continue smoking.

Latest research show, however, what smoking and stress do to the unborn.

The 4D ultrasound showed two rows of images.

The image of the fetus above is grimacing; its mom smokes an average of 14 cigarettes a day. The baby below, on the other hand, appears calm. Its mother doesn’t smoke.

READ: Pregnant women are still smoking despite the many risks it poses to both mother and child

“Technology means we can now see what was previously hidden, revealing how smoking affects the development of the fetus in ways we did not realize,” said Professor Brian Francis of Lancaster University.

“This is yet further evidence of the negative effects of smoking in pregnancy.”

Based from the 4-d ultrasound scans, the researchers found that fetuses whose mothers smoke exhibited a significantly higher rate of mouth movements than the normal declining rate of movements expected in a fetus during pregnancy.

This is attributed to the fetus’ central nervous system not being able to develop at the same rate as those fetus whose mothers didn’t smoke during pregnancy.

Movements in a foetus whose mother is a smoker (top) and a foetus whose mother is a non-smoker (below); credit Dr Nadja Reissland, Durham University

Movements in a foetus whose mother is a smoker (top) and a foetus whose mother is a non-smoker (below); credit Dr Nadja Reissland, Durham University

Previous studies also reported a delay in relation to speech processing abilities in infants exposed to smoking during pregnancy, the researchers added.

Maternal stress and depression also play a significant role in fetal movement, but the increase in mouth and touch movements was even higher in babies whose mothers smoked.

This is alarming because as pregnancy progresses, such movement is expected to slow down.

“Our findings concur with others that stress and depression have a significant impact on foetal movements, and need to be controlled for, but additionally these results point to the fact that nicotine exposure per se has an effect on foetal development over and above the effects of stress and depression,” said Dr. Nadja Reissland from Durham University.

A larger study is needed to confirm these results and to investigate specific effects, including the interaction of maternal stress and smoking.”

Partner Stories
Drinking Milk During Pregnancy: Is It Really Necessary?
Drinking Milk During Pregnancy: Is It Really Necessary?
Meals and Snacks Perfect for the Third Trimester
Meals and Snacks Perfect for the Third Trimester
Mommy Meals: A Comprehensive Meal Plan for a Healthy Pregnancy
Mommy Meals: A Comprehensive Meal Plan for a Healthy Pregnancy
Embracing Every Moment of Motherhood
Embracing Every Moment of Motherhood

If you have any insights, questions or comments regarding the topic, please share them in our Comment box below. Like us on Facebook and follow us on Google+ to stay up-to-date on the latest from theAsianparent.com Philippines!

Got a parenting concern? Read articles or ask away and get instant answers on our app. Download theAsianparent Community on iOS or Android now!

ddc-calendar
Get ready for the baby’s arrival by adding your due date.
OR
Calculate your due date
img
Written by

James Martinez

Become a Contributor

  • Home
  • /
  • Trying to Conceive
  • /
  • What your unborn baby does when you smoke is heartbreaking
Share:
  • Tattoo while pregnant: How do tattoos affect pregnancy?

    Tattoo while pregnant: How do tattoos affect pregnancy?

  • Pregnancy Guide: When to start antenatal care and take an antenatal visit

    Pregnancy Guide: When to start antenatal care and take an antenatal visit

  • Early signs of miscarriage pregnant women should know

    Early signs of miscarriage pregnant women should know

app info
get app banner
  • Tattoo while pregnant: How do tattoos affect pregnancy?

    Tattoo while pregnant: How do tattoos affect pregnancy?

  • Pregnancy Guide: When to start antenatal care and take an antenatal visit

    Pregnancy Guide: When to start antenatal care and take an antenatal visit

  • Early signs of miscarriage pregnant women should know

    Early signs of miscarriage pregnant women should know

Get advice on your pregnancy and growing baby. Sign up for our newsletter
  • Pregnancy
    • Baby
    • Breastfeeding & Formula
    • Baby Names
    • Delivery
  • Parenting
    • Parent's Guide
    • Advice for Parenting Kids
    • Relationship & Sex
  • Lifestyle Section
    • Local celebs
    • Celebrities
    • Money
    • News
  • FAMILY & HOME
    • Couples
    • Weekend & Holiday Guide
    • Health
  • Building a BakuNation
    • More
      • TAP Community
      • Advertise With Us
      • Contact Us
      • Become a Contributor


    • Singapore flag Singapore
    • Thailand flag Thailand
    • Indonesia flag Indonesia
    • Philippines flag Philippines
    • Malaysia flag Malaysia
    • Sri-Lanka flag Sri Lanka
    • India flag India
    • Vietnam flag Vietnam
    • Australia flag Australia
    • Japan flag Japan
    • Nigeria flag Nigeria
    • Kenya flag Kenya
    © Copyright theAsianparent 2022. All rights reserved
    About Us|Team|Privacy Policy|Terms of Use |Sitemap HTML
    • Tools
    • Articles
    • Feed
    • Poll

    We use cookies to ensure you get the best experience. Learn MoreOk, Got it

    We use cookies to ensure you get the best experience. Learn MoreOk, Got it

    theAsianparent heart icon
    Nais naming magpadala ng notification sa'yo tungkol sa latest news at update sa pagbubuntis.