CASE STUDY

Smoking and Pregnancy Case Study

Smoking and Pregnancy Case Study

Introduction

This paper presents a case study of a family, which comprises of a working woman and her husband. Sue has been married for four years. She had experienced spells of depression and anxiety in between ages 19 to 23 years. Sue and Bob are on a low-cholesterol diet. Now, both have decided to have their first child, but are faced up with different complications, which are supposed to be potential hindrances.

Discussion

Maternal smoking causes a variety of problems to both the mother and the unborn child. Cigarettes have been associated with many complications, including but not limited to an increased risk of premature rupture of maternal membranes (PROM), stillbirths, and sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS). Studies show tobacco products can slow down the growth of the fetus contributing to both premature and low birth-weight infants (Yankowitz, 2007). These two conditions greatly contribute to the mortality and morbidity of a newborn.

New research by (Smith, 2006) suggests that babies born to mothers who smoke go through a withdrawal period that is comparable to the withdrawal associated with other drugs, such as cocaine. There is even an indication that up to one-third of attention deficit and hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) maybe due to maternal exposure to cigarette smokes. Smoking can even cause female reproductive problems before conception occurs such as infertility, and is associated with an increased risk of ectopic pregnancies. These same risks also apply to women who do not smoke but are around high levels of secondhand smoke (Slotkin, 2008).

One of the most prevalent types of substance abuse is cigarette smoking during pregnancy as prescribed in this case.

Many bacteria, viruses, and chemical substances can pass the placental barrier and harm the developing offspring. These harmful agents are called terotagens and pose a great risk during prenatal development. Alcohol use during pregnancy is associated with birth defects, mental retardation, low birth weight, and miscarriage (www.naturally.giveupsmokingnow.org). Smoking during pregnancy is associated with miscarriage or ectopic pregnancy, low birth weight, and infant death (Shah, 2006).

In case of Sue, the medications, even over-the-counter substances, can cross the placental barrier and should be confirmed with a medical care provider before use. Illicit drugs, such as heroine and cocaine, are dangerous to the unborn child and can cause miscarriage, brain damage, low birth weight, and infant death, as well as life-long disabilities such as mental retardation. One caveat—while it is easy to judge the choice to use by pregnant women who smoke or abuse substances as the main problem, the underlying coping needs of such individuals may provide more enlightening answers (Micali, 2007).

Risk factors for preterm labor include younger or older maternal age; low socioeconomic status; poor maternal nutrition; low maternal weight (below 110 lb); uterine, placental, or cervical abnormalities; smoking; substance abuse; infection; anemia; multiple gestation (being pregnant with more than one baby); and previous complications in pregnancy (Mehta, 2007). Other preexisting health conditions such as gestational diabetes, heart disease, cancer, sexually transmitted diseases, chronic hypertension, or human ...