Research shows that smokers who quit while they are pregnant can still harm their babies

One study found that SMILE people who quit while pregnant can still harm their babies.

The damage may have already been done by the time they conceived.

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The researchers found that babies in the womb were nearly a day slower than women who smoked 10 or more cigarettes a day.

Research in Rotterdam, the Netherlands shows that smoking before and after pregnancy leads to fetuses at 20 weeks and smaller fetuses.

Researcher Dr Melek Rousian said: “The results of this study highlight the importance of stopping smoking before conception and that efforts to help women stop smoking should focus on this time period. .

“If possible, women should stop smoking as soon as they plan to become pregnant, but it’s always a good thing to stop smoking, especially at any stage of pregnancy.

“Smoking not only affects embryonic development during pregnancy and birth weight, but also affects embryonic development early in pregnancy.”

Researchers are currently exploring different ways to help expectant parents stop smoking through face-to-face consultations, follow-up visits, and digital interventions.

Dr Rousian added: “This is why labor is such an important area of ​​research as many expectant parents are not aware of the presence of a developing embryo in the early days of pregnancy. unconfirmed pregnancy.”