Are Pregnant Teens Puffing Their Way to Comfortable Births?
My wife Kim sent me this story about a new danger to babies in England: their teenage mothers. A public health ministry report out of England says that teen moms have taken to smoking to reduce the birth weight of their babies. The idea, apparently, is that they can smoke the baby smaller, thus making childbirth less painful. If that sounds like bullshit logic…well, that’s because it is. A lower birth weight has no effect on the pain felt during labor…as any mom who’s squeezed out multiple kids can tell you.
Now, keep in mind that this “statistic” about teens smoking to ease labor may itself be something of a fiction. According to the article, this finding about birth weight beliefs is based solely on anecdotes from doctors. What can’t be denied is that 400 babies die every year in England as a direct result of mom’s nicotine consumption during pregnancy. If this urban legend is indeed fueling more teens moms to light up - or at least convince them that they don’t need to quit - then it’s best to nip it in the bud now, before it becomes teenage gospel.
Bottom line, teen moms: If you want a pain-reduced birth, learn hypnobirthing. Or at least ask for a good, fat epidural. Hell, request an elective cesarean if you must. Just don’t buy the hype that you can puff your way to a smooth birth experience.
Tags: England, low-birth-weight, moms, mothers, nicotine, pregnancy, smoking, teen-momsRelated Stories
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4 opinions for Are Pregnant Teens Puffing Their Way to Comfortable Births?
MagZ
Oct 6, 2006 at 8:21 am
Just when I thought I had heard everything…this. If I had known when I was pg,what I know now about smoking, I would have cut out my own heart before lighting up. My children are between 35 and 42 now, and thankfully,didn’t pick up any of my bad habits…
I think if you choose to smoke while pregnant,then society should choose to take your child from you.
ummm idk
Jun 13, 2007 at 9:45 am
The day my mother found out she was having me she quit smoking and turned her life around to make mine perfect. She also makes sure that i dont do what she used to, the way she does this is she got me into sports and im always busy and no time to hang :( but i love her for that because she’s only doing the best for me. She could go to the gym she can get new clothes but no, she decides to spend it on me!! Idont like it that much because she wants to do things but she does what i want to do and what i have to do instead
Momma Lyndz
Nov 19, 2007 at 9:32 pm
Oh how cute…. well don’t judge them just yet. It could be lack of brain cells due to their mothers smoking while pregnant.
There are “Only two things are infinite, the universe and Human Stupidity” -Albert Einstein…..
rockdoll_71
Dec 4, 2007 at 11:20 pm
Just more stupid people only thinking of themselves, not the unborn child who has no choice in being here. That makes me sick. I never had a drink of ANYTHING alcoholic while I was pregnant and I damn sure didn’t smoke anything. I cared more about my baby.
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