Secondhand Smoke Linked to Stillbirths

In a recent study performed by Dr. Joan Crane and her, team of researchers at Eastern Health in St. John's found a link between stillborn births and secondhand smoke.

Secondhand Smoke Worse Than Firsthand Smoke

It may seem hard to believe that secondhand smoke is more damaging than firsthand smoke. In a recent study, it was proven that "undiluted side-stream smoke contains many harmful chemicals and in greater concentration than cigarette smoke inhaled through a filter." So, when a pregnant women breaths in the secondhand smoke it is not only dangerous to her but also to her unborn baby.

How Secondhand Smoke Can Cause a Stillbirth

The secondhand smoke can damage the placenta depriving the unborn baby of nutrition, oxygen, and restricting blood flow. Of course, women who smoke or live with a smoker are at a much higher risk for delivering a stillborn baby than those women who are only occasionally come in contact with secondhand smoke. Statistics show that pregnant women who smoke or live with a smoker have a 0.83 percent chance of having a stillborn baby compared to only 0.37 percent of women who are only occasionally exposed to secondhand smoke.

Conclusion

Secondhand smoke is harmful to everyone especially unborn babies. However, most women who do smoke and are exposed to secondhand smoke deliver healthy babies.

Source: An International Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology, online March 23, 2011