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Parent Profiles is dedicated to helping birth mothers find the right adoptive family for their child. Choose a link below to learn more about the services of ParentProfiles.com.

Are you pregnant?Are you hoping to adopt?

Put Down the Cigarettes

Recent studies show that almost 1/3 of women of childbearing age smoke cigarettes on a regular basis. So if you are pregnant and trying to kick the habit, you are not alone. It is important to seek prenatal care as soon as you find out that you are pregnant, and discuss your options with your doctor. Quitting is not only possible, but is recommended for moms-to-be. In fact, the earlier you are able to kick the habit, the healthier your baby will be.

First, it is important to understand the link between smoking while pregnant, and birth and learning defects. Studies have shown that babies and children of smokers are more likely to have learning and behavioral problems- like ADHD, slow cognitive and auditory development, trouble in math and language arts, and behavior problems. Test scores of elementary school students show a very clear distinction between children of smokers and non-smokers. Throw in a wealth of birth defects and the chance for low birth weight, and many moms choose to try to kick the habit early on.

Finding support is the first step to quitting. While you may be limited in the types of drugs and patches you can use to quit, you can achieve the same goal with willpower and determination. Many women find themselves with an aversion to cigarettes early on, thus decreasing their dependency on it. Others may find relief by looking at a picture of a healthy baby when the desire to smoke hits them. Work with your doctor and loved ones to find something that works for you.

You can remind yourself that quitting for 9 months is just a short time for you, but your child will benefit from it for the rest of his/her life. Good luck!

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• Antidepressants and Pregnancy May Not Mix