Health Tip: Quit Smoking During Pregnancy
If you smoke and you're pregnant or planning to become pregnant, it's especially important to kick the habit now. The toxic chemicals inhaled when you smoke are easily passed to the unborn baby.
The American Pregnancy Association offers these suggestions to help you stop smoking during pregnancy:
- Make a list of all of the health benefits of quitting for yourself and your baby.
- Replace smoking with healthier habits, such as having a snack or a cup of tea with your newspaper, instead of a cigarette.
- Surround yourself with nonsmokers.
- Have a friend or family member ready to call when you need support.
- Ask your doctor for ways to help you quit, including tips on which smoking cessation aids are safe for you and baby.
- Set a goal date for quitting.
Smoking can affect many parts of your body, even your bones and joints.
The American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons lists these musculoskeletal problems that can be triggered by smoking:
- Increased risk of osteoporosis.
- Decreased bone density.
- Reduced ability to absorb calcium.
- Reduced protection provided by estrogen replacement therapy.
- Increased risk of hip fracture as a person ages.
- Increased risk of developing an exercise-related injury.
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