Smoking is injurious to your health and health of unborn babies as well. Using 4D ultrasound scans, scientists have demonstrated the harmful effects of smoking during pregnancy. Unborn babies seemed to grimace in the womb when their mothers or somebody nearby lights up.
This study was made to encourage the expecting mothers who are struggling to quit smoking. Smoking as such increases the risk of premature birth, respiratory problems and even death.
Dr Nadja Reissland has evaluated the moving 4D images and managed to record thousands of tiny movements in the womb. 4 out of the 20 mothers were heavy smokers and smoked around 14 cigarettes a day. All the participants were from the James Cook University Hospital in Middlesbrough.
Scans were studied at 24, 28, 32 and 36 weeks. Dr. Nadja observed that fetuses of smoking mother showed a very high rates of mouth movement and self-touching than those carried by non-smokers. This kind of movement is generally observed when mothers are closer to give birth.
Fetuses usually move their mouths and touch themselves less as they gain more control the closer they get to birth. It is best to quit smoking before getting pregnant. Smoking not only affects pregnancy but also creates several problem in conceiving. Also, smoking in men lowers sperm count and in women reduces the egg quality. It also brings in faster menopause and increases the risk of premature birth and the necessity of caesarean sections.
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