We all know what smoking does to the smoker. The research is clear that smoking causes lung cancer, throat cancer, cancer in the mouth, heart disease, emphysema, and many other diseases for the smoker. But if a woman stops smoking before she becomes pregnant, she could be saving the life of her unborn child.
The CDC, or center for disease control, has recently stated that mothers that smoke cause a significant increase in premature births and low birth weight babies. Many of the premature births result in death or permanent disabilities in the children. Children of smoking mothers suffer a higher incidence of SIDS, or sudden infant death syndrome.
If you are a woman that smokes, and if you are considering having a child, do the right thing for yourself and for your baby! Quit smoking today! There is overwhelming evidence of tobacco's damaging affects, so it is really a no-brainer. Your baby deserves a fighting chance at survival.
The costs of smoking mothers-to-be, in terms of health care costs, are astronomical. The researchers at the CDC said: "If all women quit smoking during pregnancy, health care costs in the United States could be reduced by about $232 million a year and there would be improved overall health for mothers and babies".
There are many ways to stop smoking, and you don't have to do it alone. In my chiropractic office we have an acupuncture and homeopathic detox program that could help you to quit. Some find that the nicotine gum is helpful. Whatever you decide, make sure that you do it before you get pregnant.
Keith Biggs, DC
Biggs Chiropractic and Acupuncture
biggschiropractic@gmail.com
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