Table of contentsIntroductionWomen smoking during pregnancyOverviewMythsFactsRole of nurse midwivesEffects of women smoking during pregnancyOverviewEffects on infant growthLong term effects on growthEffects on cognitive functionEffects on activity, attention and impulsivityBehavioral and psychological effects150Limitation of smoking in women during PregnancyConclusionIntroductionWomen have smoked during pregnancy since the invention of cigarettes worldwide. This habit has reached such heights that it is rare to find a woman who does not smoke cigarettes. It is common knowledge that tobacco consumption during pregnancy has harmful, even fatal, effects on the fetus in terms of growth, development and behavior. It is imperative that pregnant mothers are enlightened about the negativities their indulgence has on their unborn children (Baghurst, Tong, Woodward, & McMichael, 2012, pp. 403-415). In this regard, it is relevant for academics, researchers and practitioners to identify the common characteristics that make smoking dominant among pregnant women. It is important that pregnant women are informed about the correlation between smoking and serious medical problems such as cancer, heart disease and lung conditions. The aim of this trial is to analyze the effects of smoking on women and their children during pregnancy in England. In order to accomplish this insurmountable task, the article examines in depth the habit of women who smoke during pregnancy in terms of general tendency and common behavioral traits. Second, the article discusses common myths put forward by society regarding smoking among pregnant women. Third, the paper brings out the real facts about smoking during pregnancy by analyzing data from different sources to paint a clear picture of events on the ground. Additionally, describes the role of midwives in ensuring that pregnant women reduce the tendency to smoke during pregnancy and stop this behavior. This article also discusses the denigrating effects of smoking on pregnant women and their children. Finally, the article outlines possible mechanisms that can be adopted to mitigate this behavior in pregnant women. Say no to plagiarism. Get a tailor-made essay on “Why Violent Video Games Should Not Be Banned”? Get the original essay Women Who Smoking During Pregnancy Overview This trend has worsened with an increasing number of women indulging in this heinous and unwarranted behavior. Researchers and practitioners have stated that smoking during pregnancy leads to birth outcomes that are not pleasant for the mother and baby (Brook, Brook, & Whiteman, 2000, p. 381). Examples of these dreadful effects include mothers giving birth before their due date, children born below the minimum weight requirement, and children born when they are dead. There is ample evidence linking smoking during pregnancy to negative outcomes for children born (Day et al., 2012, pp. 407-414). These effects come from the fact that smoking causes abnormal growth and maturation in children. It has been found that any level of smoking is detrimental to both parent and child. However, smoking intensity is considered high due to the number of cigarettes smoked in a single day (Wayne, 2014, pp. 13-26). This has been shown to have devastating and deleterious effects on the unborn baby compared to light smoking. There is ample evidence linkingbetween maternal smoking and the negative consequences felt by the fetus and infant. For example, smoking among pregnant women has been observed to lead to the development of other risky behaviors. For example, women who smoke during pregnancy are at risk of dying during childbirth and developing complications of the placenta (Fox, Sexton, & Hebel, 2010, pp. 66-71). Smoking behavior of women during pregnancy is considered one of the highly modifiable risk factors associated with poor outcomes for women and their children. This is why stakeholders have developed a series of strategies that help pregnant women quit smoking during the gestation period (Wayne, 2014, pp. 13-26). babies, little babies are cute, addictive, relaxing, cause stress for the baby, good for pregnancy, cold turkey is the only way out, and no need to breastfeed (Fergusson, Woodward and Horwood , 2014, p.721). Women continue to smoke during pregnancy because they have already delivered healthy, bouncy babies. They lose hope that the current pregnancy will be safe and that the children will be healthy. This is false since the likelihood of giving birth to a healthy baby while smoking does not depend solely on behavior (Owen, McNeill and Callum, 2008, pp. 728-730). Women who smoke do not worry about the prospect of giving birth to small babies. which is contrary to medical evidence that proves the enormous and arduous health complications associated with these types of babies (Griesler, Kandel, & Davies, 2008, pp. 159-185). It is important to understand that these effects occur at any time of life and are very harmful in nature. Additionally, pregnant women find it difficult to quit smoking during pregnancy because of the permanence of the habit. Others believe that smoking is their primary source of relaxation and also benefits unborn children (Owen, McNeill, & Callum, 2008, pp. 728-730). Pregnant women perceive that the children would be very stressed if they stopped. smoking during the gestation period. This is misleading because continuing to smoke during pregnancy increases the magnitude of negative effects on the fetus (Jacobson, Jacobson, & Sokol, 2014, pp. 317-323). In addition, pregnant women believe that smoking tobacco is harmless and beneficial. This perception is misleading since scientists have proven that any threshold of smoking is detrimental and deleterious to unborn children (Owen, McNeill and Callum, 2008, pp. 728-730). Facts Various data sources show how this situation has evolved over the years. years. In England, the rate of female smokers stood at 10.5 per cent in 2016, up from 11.2 per cent in 2015. It is important to note that this rate is well below the national target of 11 percent (Kandel, Wu and Davies, 2014, pp. 1407-1413). There are significant disparities between NHS England regions in smoking among pregnant women. For example, Cumbria records high rates of 16.1 percent, while London records a rate of 4.8 percent. Similarly, NHS Blackpool recorded a prevalence of 25.0 percent, while NHS Central London had a rate of 1.3 percent (Oncken, 2012, pp. 846-847). The information extracted from maternity hospitals across the country comes from diverse experiences. For example, some maternity hospitals have no database on smoking status at all, which is 2.6 percent. However, this is a notable improvement from 3.0 percent in 2015 and 3.2 percent in 2016 (Kristjansson, Fried, & Watkinson, 2009, pp. 11-19). It is important to note that the proportion of women smoking at the time of delivery must be clearlyindicated in order to avoid any confusion that arises from unknowns who are usually considered non-smokers. This means that if the number of maternities with zero values ​​for pregnant smokers were removed from the calculation, then the prevalence rate would rise to a whopping 12 percent (Oncken, 2012, pp. 846-847). Role of nurse-midwives Midwives have a crucial role to play. roles to play in ensuring that pregnant women stop or reduce their rates of smoking to avoid the inevitable serious and fatal consequences. This includes identifying victims, encouraging them to quit smoking and supporting them if necessary. Smoking cessation aims to recognize the presence of good smokers among pregnant women in order to take appropriate corrective actions (Owen, McNeill and Callum, 2008, pp. 728-730). It is important for nurses to note that almost 75 percent of pregnant smokers have an inherent desire to give up this harmful behavior. The majority of pregnant smokers have tried to quit smoking several times, but their efforts have been in vain. The most interesting aspect is that more than 90 percent of pregnant smokers quit the habit without outside intervention (England, 2010, pp. 694-701). In this regard, nurses have a special role to play in helping children under 10 years old. percentage of pregnant smokers to put an end to this trend. On a positive note, nurses should appreciate that pregnant smokers are willing and able to listen to them to stop this negative behavior. In this context, nurses should use professional ingenuity and discretion to initiate the process of ending this fatal habit (Owen, McNeill, & Callum, 2008, pp. 728-730). Pregnant smokers expect nurses to be friendly during the process through open and confidential discussions. It is the role of nurses to ensure that volunteer pregnant smokers stop smoking in order to avoid adverse effects (England, 2010, pp. 694-701). There are several types of interventions that nurses can undertake to help pregnant women. stop smoking. These include meetings, written materials, a support person, telephone contact, replacement therapies, audio and video tapes, computer programs, referrals and home visits. Nurses can arrange meetings with affected women to initiate the smoking cessation process (Owen, McNeill and Callum, 2008, pp. 728-730). Meetings can vary in length and objectives, such as motivational talks, discussing barriers to quitting, and enlightening them about the risks associated with smoking during pregnancy. Nurses can talk about past work cases, counsel pregnant smokers, and participate in role-playing to reduce negative feelings and symptoms that can lead to depression. The number of interviews may vary depending on the degree of smoking among pregnant women (England, 2010, pp. 694-701). Nurses can use written materials about smoking during pregnancy to help pregnant smokers overcome the habit. Importantly, written materials have been shown to be helpful in reducing the denigrating effects of this behavior. There are several types of written materials such as books, journals, magazines, newspapers, brochures, documents and booklets, among others (Owen, McNeill and Callum, 2008, pp. 728-730). These should be distributed to pregnant smokers and non-smokers at every clinic visit. Likewise, pregnant womenboth statutes have the prerogative to take deliberate steps to follow the stated guidelines for quitting smoking. These women should receive information packets containing summarized details about the risks associated with smoking during pregnancy and the potential benefits of quitting (England, 2010, pp. 694-701). The inclusion of support persons was found to be beneficial for nurses in achieving the intended goals and objectives of the smoking cessation program. These people may be a spouse, relatives, other pregnant smokers, friends or relatives. In this strategy, several activities are performed such as making a pregnancy scrapbook, peer support meetings, and motivational interviews (Owen, McNeill, & Callum, 2008, pp. 728-730). The main hypothesis of this method is based on the fact that the social system of pregnant smokers and those around them determines the ability of women to quit smoking. Telephone contact is made by nurses with pregnant smokers on a regular basis, for example weekly, fortnightly or fortnightly, until the behavior stops. Nurses are expected to use these calls to encourage pregnant smokers to stop this behavior as well as to check on the personal progress the women are making (England, 2010, pp. 694-701). There are four clear steps that should be followed by nurses when quitting smoking. First, precontemplation involves nurses and pregnant smokers talking freely about the problem without implying serious problems. During these sessions, nurses allow pregnant smokers to talk about their personal experiences and escapades. On the other hand, nurses can talk about professional reference cases that can help them stop this behavior (Owen, McNeill and Callum, 2008, pp. 728-730). Second, contemplation encompasses nurses and pregnant smokers discussing the pros and cons of quitting this behavior. Last but not least, the action involves updating agreed strategies to help reduce the frequency of smoking among pregnant women. Finally, maintenance is also called relapse and involves giving up the habit or returning to deviant behavior (England, 2010, pp. 694-701).Effects of Smoking in Women During PregnancyOverview There are various repercussions that emanate from smoking during pregnancy. gestation period, and they include stillbirth, premature birth, low birth weight, heart failure, brain function, and body and lungs (Kristjansson, Fried, & Watkinson, 1989, pp. 11 -19). It is important to note that the effects of smoking during pregnancy can be classified into broad categories: effects on infant growth, long-term effects on growth, effects on cognitive function, effects on activity, attention and impulsivity, and behavioral and psychological effects. . These effects were analyzed according to the threshold and the affected areas on the unborn baby (Cnattingius, 2004, pp. 125-140). Effects on Infant Growth The rate and process of infant growth are affected when the mother smokes during pregnancy, so there is a direct correlation between increased smoking and reduced birth weight. In other words, the more cigarettes a pregnant woman smokes, the more weight the unborn child loses. It has been reported that children born to smoking mothers weigh 150 to 250 grams less than those of non-smoking women. It is important to note that smoking affects the growth of children at all levels during the gestation period(Eghbalieh, Crinella, Hunt, & Swanson, 2000, pp. 5-13). Children exposed to smoking during pregnancy may have lower lean body mass than whole-body electrical conductivity. Exposure to tobacco during pregnancy results in reduced birth weight and length, as well as head and chest circumference, in children. These effects are more elaborate and more pronounced in adult smokers than in adolescent mothers (Cnattingius, 2004, pp. 125-140). Long-term effects on growth It is safe to say that the long-term effects of smoking during pregnancy are not well analyzed. Results from various sources indicate that children exposed to tobacco during pregnancy had significant differences in head and chest circumference. Similarly, exposed children were shorter than their unexposed counterparts (Makin, Fried, & Watkinson, 1991, pp. 5-12). However, height disparities have been reported to be reduced by birth weight. There is an inverse relationship between physical growth characteristics and tobacco exposure during pregnancy. There is a positive correlation between ponderal index and maternal smoking if and only if birth weight and gestational age are controlled. This means that children of smoking mothers have a higher weight gain compared to those of non-smoking mothers. It is essential to conclude deductively that exposure to tobacco during pregnancy has negative physical ramifications for infants and children (Cnattingius, 2004, pp. 125-140). Effects on cognitive function Minimal exposure to tobacco during pregnancy affects the development of cognitive function. central nervous system (CNS). For example, exposure to tobacco during pregnancy causes children to exhibit increased activity in locomotor aspects. Additionally, children's tendencies to be hyperactive stem from early exposure to tobacco during pregnancy. Additionally, children exposed to tobacco during pregnancy have been found to have turnover of brain chemicals that meets the lowest threshold. They also report fluctuations in hippocampal morphology (Eriksson, Ankarberg, & Fredriksson, 2000, pp. 41-48). There are inconsistent reports indicating CNS effects, such as cognitive developmental outcomes as well as neural system behaviors. Children exposed to tobacco during pregnancy tend to exhibit a bias toward lower hearing levels, diminished self-regulation, and tremors of increasing intensity as well as startles. There is a high probability that children exposed to tobacco during pregnancy will develop muscle tone abnormalities (Cnattingius, 2004, pp. 125-140). Effects on activity, attention and impulsivity There is an increasing direct correlation between exposure to tobacco during pregnancy and increased activity levels, lack of attention and impulsivity. Similarly, children exposed to tobacco by their mothers during pregnancy have been reported to develop increased vulnerability to committing errors such as omission and commission. There is a direct relationship between maternal smoking during gestation and the likelihood of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) (Ananth & Platt, 2004, pp. 12-19). Children exposed to tobacco during pregnancy are still prone to making errors of omission on tests such as continuous performance testing (CPT). It is important to note that these children exposed to tobacco during pregnancy tend to reveal disparities in testsneuropsychological studies aimed at discerning the planning and coordination capacity of fine motor skills (Cnattingius, 2004, pp. 125-140). Behavioral and Psychological Effects150The problems discussed above are directly related to prenatal tobacco exposure in children. For example, prenatal tobacco exposure has detrimental effects on externalizing behaviors in terms of oppositionality, aggression and overreaction. In this regard, it can be noted that women who smoke during and after pregnancy increase the risks of their children developing behavioral problems. On the contrary, if mothers stopped exposing their children to tobacco after childbirth, there are no serious behavioral deficiencies (Persson, Grennert, Gennser, & Kullander, 2013, pp. 33-39). This means that it is highly possible to find children exposed to tobacco during and after pregnancy exhibiting increased levels of negativity compared to their counterparts who are not exposed to tobacco after birth. Furthermore, it is quite possible that children of smoking mothers exhibit dysfunctional tendencies in terms of opposition, immaturity and aggressiveness. If these children are observed through puberty, they are likely to exhibit differences in behavior, substance abuse, and depression compared to children who have not been exposed to tobacco (Cnattingius, 2004, pp. 125-140). measures can be implemented to overcome tobacco dependence during pregnancy and are linked to individual initiatives. They include admitting addiction, education, creating support groups, providing resources and speakers. It is important to note that pregnant smokers face increasing instances of discrimination against being considered deviant (Rebagliato, Florey, & Bolumar, 2015, pp. 531-537). In this regard, women who smoke find it difficult to open up to doctors about their negative behavior. A large proportion of pregnant smokers do not disclose their status to doctors and eventually do so. It is essential that victims understand that the cessation process begins with confessing the bad behavior and accepting change (Zuckerman, 2012, pp. 73-89). It is important that nurses and other social work organizations proactively engage to ensure that pregnant smokers are informed of the importance of quitting smoking. In this regard, medical institutions and social organizations can organize awareness programs that will raise the level of awareness among pregnant smokers. In these programs, it is imperative to include advice on quitting smoking as well as hard facts about smoking during pregnancy (Hanke, Sobala, & Kalinka, 2014, pp. 73-87). All stakeholders should engage in partnerships at the national level to help pregnant smokers quit smoking. They can produce written materials such as quit smoking guidelines, specific leaflets, printed posters and fact sheets. In this regard, pregnant smokers obtain information that will help them avoid this dangerous behavior (Zuckerman, 2012, pp. 73-89). It is important for related seekers to create support groups called buddy systems. for pregnant smokers to stop smoking. It has been noted that pregnant smokers report receiving emotional and physical support from family members, peers, co-workers and neighbors. These collective actions are essential to ensure that all stakeholders provide the necessary support and assistance needed to achieve the goal of stopping.