Is it possible for pregnant women to smoke hookah: the harm and benefits of hookah, the effect of hookah smoking on the fetus

2024 Author: Priscilla Miln | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-16 00:21

Often, women who smoke, after learning about their pregnancy, refuse regular cigarettes, switching to a hookah. It is believed to be safer than regular cigarettes. Since the dangers of nicotine and the negative effects on the fetus became known several centuries ago, pregnant women are trying to find a worthy alternative, which is why they choose hookah and nicotine-free mixtures. In addition, it is believed that tobacco smoke in such a device is filtered by a liquid that is poured into its bowl during filling (water or milk). But is it so harmless and is it possible for pregnant women to smoke a hookah? What are the risks for the expectant mother and baby, we will consider in this article.

Harm of hookah

Hookah is considered an invention of the Eastern world. Tobacco, which is poured into a special apparatus, is purified by means of the liquid contained in the flask (milk, water or wine). As a rule, tobacco begins to cool with liquid. But can pregnant women smoke hookah?

BecauseThe media are actively working in all areas, the idea quickly spread among society that smoking tobacco with the help of such a device is absolutely harmless to the human body. Moreover, many people think that pregnant women can use hookah.

However, doctors say that such beliefs are wrong. The fact is that smoke purification by means of liquid occurs only by 40%. Accordingly, the rest of the harmful substances are sent to the body of a pregnant woman, which means that they can have a negative effect on the fetus.

Since on average smoking a hookah takes about half an hour to an hour, a person manages to consume a sufficient amount of poisons and s alts that form heavy metals.

What harmful substances are absorbed when smoking?

Considering the question of whether a hookah can be used by pregnant women, it is important first of all to understand the composition of the mixture. There are many smoking blends on the market that do not stand up to rigorous quality checks. In particular, it is tobacco, which contains nicotine. In the process of using a hookah, each person receives the following harmful substances:

1. Nicotine. Provokes vasospasm, which leads to disruption of the cardiovascular system. Regarding the question of whether pregnant women (2nd trimester) can smoke a hookah, it is worth noting that this substance can cause a threat of placental insufficiency. It can cause premature birth. In addition, nicotine increases blood pressure, which alsonegatively affects the he alth of the woman in labor.
2. Benzopyrene. This is a carcinogenic substance that can cause various kinds of pathologies in the fetus and a number of serious diseases. Has a cumulative effect.
3. Carbon dioxide. As soon as it enters the body, it begins to replace oxygen paired with hemoglobin and is transported to the placenta. As a result, there is a lack of fetal oxygen - hypoxia.

What else gets into the body?

There are a number of other harmful substances that enter the human body. As a result, they can accumulate and have a negative impact on the body of a pregnant woman and fetus:

1. Lead.
2. Cotinine.
3. Arsenic.
4. Chrome.

It is also worth noting that while smoking hookah, the risk of contracting an infectious disease increases. This is due to the fact that rarely when in the company of friends each person changes the mouthpiece before tightening. Therefore, the likelihood of getting hepatitis, herpes and other unpleasant diseases increases.

Can I smoke early?

The first trimester is extremely important. During this period, the main organs of vision, smell, limbs and the brain are formed in the fetus. Can pregnant women smoke hookah during this period? Since a lack of oxygen may result, this provokes a delay in the development of the fetus. According to statistics, women who smoke hookah often give birth to children with a small weight - up to 2.5 kg, as well as with a smaller head circumference.

Consequences of early hookah smoking

Smoking hookah in the early stages can lead to the following undesirable consequences:

• preterm birth;
• loss of a child;
• missed pregnancy.

When smoking, a pregnant woman exposes her unborn child to the following pathologies:

1. Decrease in the functioning of the immune barrier.
2. Disturbances in the work of the cardiovascular system and central nervous system.
3. Wolf mouth syndrome.
4. Development of atopic dermatitis.
5. Mental abnormalities.
6. Diseases of the respiratory system.

It is worth noting that sometimes there are no abnormalities at birth, but the situation begins to change radically by the age of 7.

How harmful are nicotine-free blends?

Advertising campaigns for nicotine-free blends and lack of public awareness are misleading smokers. Many people believe that such tobacco is harmless to he alth. Therefore, the question of whether it is possible for pregnant women to smoke a hookah without nicotine is quite relevant for many. It is important to take into account that as a result of such a pastime, the body receives damage no less.

As a compensation for nicotine, manufacturers often begin to add a large number of various chemical additives, flavorings to make the smoking process as pleasant as possible. Since each person's body reacts differently to such supplements, there may be a strongallergic reaction and a number of other unpleasant effects. Acetaldehyde is a substance that begins to be released during the combustion process, and with it resins and other decay products that adversely affect the condition of the developing fetus. Therefore, the question of whether it is possible for pregnant women to hookah without nicotine should not be faced by expectant mothers. A woman should give up such a pastime in order to reduce the risk of developing pathologies.

There is a category of substances that do not contain nicotine, but at the same time can be addictive. Since many women feel relaxed and calm while smoking, the process tends to be repeated frequently. As a result, the fetus will experience hypoxia much more often, which will negatively affect the unborn child.

Passive smoking

The issue of passive smoking is also quite well studied. Is it possible to breathe a hookah while pregnant? To answer this question, it is important to pay attention to the following theses:

1. Even when another person smokes a hookah, a pregnant woman inhales harmful substances, which negatively affects her he alth and the child.
2. When a person inhales on his own, he absorbs as much smoke as his lungs will allow him to inhale. A passive smoker constantly breathes smoke from a hookah, continuously poisoning his body.
3. The proportion of harmful substances that goes to an active smoker is only 20%. The rest of the mass dissolves into the surrounding air, which other people breathe.
4. Even thoughthat smoke from a hookah contains fewer carcinogens, this amount is enough to fully negatively affect the condition of a pregnant woman and child.
5. It is strongly not recommended to visit hookah lounges for pregnant women, especially if the room is closed and not equipped with special hoods.

With the constant inhalation of smoke from a hookah, not only a delay in the development of the fetus, but also problems in the process of labor and a number of other serious problems can occur. In the first trimester, this is completely fraught with a frozen pregnancy.

Consequences

When a pregnant woman is just next to a person smoking a hookah, she exposes herself and the child to serious physiological tests. So, for example, with a long stay next to a smoking person, a woman may feel weakness, constant headaches, nausea, vomiting, dizziness. Even a fainting state can be a serious consequence. All these are sure signs of intoxication of the body, which can negatively affect the developing fetus.

As for the future baby, as a result of passive or active smoking of his mother's hookah, he may develop chronic diseases such as pneumonia, bronchitis or asthma. As a result, the child's immune system is reduced, leaving him open to the development of other serious diseases.

Conclusion

Can pregnant women smoke hookah? Importanttake into account that today there are no smoking substances that would not harm the body. Therefore, pregnant women are advised to refrain from both cigarettes and hookah. The birth of a he althy child is much more valuable than an hour of pleasure in a smoky room.