Can smoking and drinking cause birth defects?

Can smoking and drinking cause birth defects?

Smoking may also increase a baby’s risk of various birth defects, including cleft lip, cleft palate, and clubfoot. Even more frightening is research suggesting that babies whose mothers smoked during pregnancy are more likely to die of sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS).

Is it illegal to smoke and drink while pregnant?

Women who are pregnant, trying to conceive or breastfeeding should avoid smoking, drinking alcohol or taking illegal drugs. Always speak with your doctor or midwife before taking any medication.

Is it safe to smoke and drink alcohol during pregnancy?

Alcohol, smoking and drugs in pregnancy. Drinking alcohol, smoking or taking drugs during pregnancy or while breastfeeding can affect your child’s health. Women who are pregnant, trying to conceive or breastfeeding should avoid smoking, drinking alcohol or taking illegal drugs. Always speak with your doctor or midwife before taking any medication.

What are the health effects of smoking during pregnancy?

Health Effects of Smoking and Secondhand Smoke on Babies. Preterm delivery is a leading cause of death, disability, and disease among newborns. 1,2 One in every five babies born to mothers who smoke during pregnancy has low birth weight. Mothers who are exposed to secondhand smoke while pregnant are more likely to have lower birth weight babies.

What happens if you drink a lot during pregnancy?

The list of potential health and developmental problems doesn’t end here; drinking heavily throughout pregnancy increases your risk of having a baby with fetal alcohol syndrome (FAS).

How does alcohol and smoking affect your baby?

Unexposed infants demonstrated increases in heart rate with head-up tilt and decreases in heart rate with head-down tilt, but smoking and alcohol-exposed infants showed no significant responses. These results indicate that autonomic function is altered by prenatal exposure to alcohol and smoking.