Recent Scientific study shows that pregnant women who are exposed to cigarette smoke have a high possibility that their unborn child can have birth defects or increase the risk of stillbirth.
Scientist has warned the fathers-to-be to stop smoking for the benefit of their future child.
Researchers in the University of Nottingham conducted a study and found out that unborn babies that are exposed to smoke will have a 23% possibility of stillbirth and 13% of baby defects.
They have based their research in 19 previous studies around the world including studies in North America, South America, Asia and Europe.
“It is important that women should know the effect of second hand smoking”. UK expert said.
Studies have been focused to Women who are not smoking but exposed to it. Data that has been gathered from the study suggest that being exposed to more than 10 cigarettes a day is enough for the risks to be increased.
However, results of their research imply that second hand smoking does not increase death rate of unborn babies only an increase in risk of still birth and birth defects.
Despite of this discovery, researchers led by Dr. Jo Leonardi-Bee said they were not satisfied of this result. Until now they haven’t figured out whether the increase in risk of stillbirth and baby defects is caused by direct effect of mainstream smoke inhaled by their fathers or side stream smoke inhaled by their moms or both.
“Excessive smoking of men can have an effect on the impact of sperm development” Dr. Jo Leonardi-Bee added. He also gave an advice to future father to cut down smoking or best option is to stop it for the interest of their wife and future child.
Andrew Shennan, professor of obstetrics at St. Thomas said that cigarette contains chemicals that are known for the increase of risk in pregnancy complications. Therefore women should have a sufficient knowledge about this effect to their future babies.