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Smoking & Drinking
I generally don’t like to scare people but
sometimes it’s necessary. When a mother-to-be
inhales cigarette smoke, her womb fills with carbon
monoxide, nicotine, tar, and other gunk that keep
the baby from getting the oxygen and nutrients he
needs. Sounds healthy, doesn't it? Your wife’s
smoking increases the risk of low-birth-weight
babies, miscarriage, and Sudden Infant Death
Syndrome (SIDS).
A note to expectant dads who smoke: If you think
your baby is somehow protected by being inside your
partner, you're seriously mistaken. Recent research
indicates that second-hand smoke may be just as
dangerous to your pregnant wife and unborn baby as
first-hand smoke.
As far as alcohol goes, complete abstinence is
the safest choice. Your wife’s doctor may
sanction a glass of wine every once in a while to
help her relax. But one binge, or even just a few
drinks at the wrong time (such as when the baby's
brain is developing) can cause fetal alcohol
syndrome, a set of irreversible mental and physical
impairments. Even moderate social drinking has been
linked to low-birth-weight babies, learning
disabilities, and miscarriages in the early stages
of pregnancy.
Bottom line: if you’re a smoker, quite now.
And do everything you can to encourage your wife to
immediately stop smoking or drinking. (Stay away
from any and all over-the-counter drug options,
though, without her doctor’s okay.) It’s
tempting to avoid the whole issue out of fear that
nicotine or alcohol withdrawal might lead to some
marital tension. Bad choice. The potential danger
to your baby far outweighs the danger to your
relationship. If your wife doesn’t respond
positively to your efforts, call her doctor.
Chances are he’ll have some pretty strong
words for her. He may also be able to offer some
prescription assistance.
©2007, Armin Brott
* * *
It's clear that most American children suffer
too much mother and too little father. - Gloria
Steinem
A
nationally recognized parenting expert, Armin Brott
is the author of Blueprint
for Men's Health: A guide to a health
lifestyle,
The
Expectant Father: Facts, Tips, and Advice for
Dads-to-Be;
The
New Father: A Dad's Guide to the First
Year, A
Dad's Guide to the Toddler
Years, Throwaway
Dads, The
Single Father: A Dad's Guide to Parenting without a
Partner and Father for
Life. He has written on parenting and fatherhood
for the New York Times Magazine, The
Washington Post, Newsweek and dozens of
other periodicals. He also hosts “Positive
Parenting”, a nationally distributed, weekly
talk show, and lives with his family in Oakland,
California. Visit Armin at www.mrdad.com
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