In: Psychology
How does maternal smoking affect the fetus? Should women who smoke while pregnant be considered neglectful parents? Why or why not? (Minimum 2 paragraph) please please use proper grammar this is a psychology question
Smoking during pregnancy has a detrimental impact on the fetus. It can lead to several complications in childbirth, such as stillbirth, premature delivery and low birth weight. Not only does cigarette smoke contain several hazardous chemicals, nicotine combines with carbon monoxide that cuts off the oxygen supply to the fetus. Thus the fetus receives toxic material from the blood stream, but even this material has chances of not being delivered to the fetus in the first place.
I cannot categorically state of women who smoke during pregnancy can be called neglectful. There maybe several reasons why a woman might be engaging in such a behaviour that would not account as being neglectful. There maybe a lack of awareness with respect to the harm associated with smoking during pregnancy. In addition, if a woman is very addicted to cigarettes, it would be difficult for her to quit immediately despite best efforts. Pregnancy is also a stressful period for many women and smoking might just help them to cope.