Pregnancy and Smoking: The Real Cost Beyond Birth

Pregnancy and Smoking: The Real Cost Beyond Birth

This episode of Cracking Addiction delivers a powerful, evidence-packed message on how smoking profoundly impacts reproductive health, pregnancy, and the lifelong wellbeing of children.

Dr. Ferghal Armstrong takes viewers beyond the commonly known risks of cancer and lung disease, diving deep into the lesser-discussed but critically important topic of tobacco’s effects on fertility, fetal development, and transgenerational health.

Through compelling research and clinical insight, the video outlines how smoking reduces fertility in both men and women, accelerates ovarian aging, and increases the risk of miscarriage, ectopic pregnancy, and birth defects.

Listeners will learn about the dangerous chemicals—like nicotine and carbon monoxide—that cross the placenta, causing fetal hypoxia, impaired growth, and even structural abnormalities like cleft palate or limb defects.

The episode doesn’t stop at birth. It highlights how prenatal tobacco exposure can alter brain development, leading to ADHD, behavioural issues, and poor academic outcomes. It even shows how smoking can reprogram genes epigenetically, raising the risk for diabetes, hypertension, and obesity in adulthood.

Importantly, this video is a call to action for healthcare providers and families alike. It emphasises that quitting smoking—especially early in pregnancy—can dramatically reduce these risks.

You’ll also get key clinical strategies for effective smoking cessation, secondhand smoke management, and partner involvement.If you’re a parent, healthcare provider, or planning a family, this video is a must-watch.

Share it with anyone who needs to hear the truth about smoking and pregnancy.

Chapters:

00:00 – Smoking harms babies even before pregnancy begins

00:37 – Smoking’s impact on female fertility and conception

01:05 – Effects of smoking on male reproductive health

01:30 – The dangers of smoking during pregnancy

02:10 – How smoking leads to low birth weight and placenta damage02:34 – Birth defects linked to maternal smoking02:49 – Nicotine’s effects on fetal brain development

03:14 – Smoking and risk of SIDS

03:37 – Secondhand smoke and infant health

04:00 – Long-term epigenetic consequences of smoking

04:22 – Smoking cessation during pregnancy: why it works

04:48 – Key clinical tips for healthcare providers

05:17 – Don’t forget the partner and postnatal phase

05:33 – Counseling even before pregnancy is crucial

05:50 – Final takeaway: smoking is a transgenerational risk

Avsnitt(218)

An Introduction to Opioids

An Introduction to Opioids

In this episode of Cracking Addiction we provide an introduction to opioids, how they work what receptors they act upon and some of the harms associated with opioids.

6 Okt 202113min

Alcohol Use Disorder Summary Points

Alcohol Use Disorder Summary Points

In this episode of Cracking Addiction we summarise the previous episodes detailing alcohol use disorder, alcohol withdrawal management, rationale for anti-craving medications and how to assist our patients in a safe, ethical and humane manner.

29 Sep 202122min

Alcoholics Anonymous and SMART Recovery

Alcoholics Anonymous and SMART Recovery

In this episode of Cracking Addiction we discuss both Alcoholics Anonymous and SMART recovery programs and review the evidence base behind each of these interventions and how to help patients choose the best behavioural management program to help manage relapse prevention.

22 Sep 202122min

Alcohol Anti-Craving Medications

Alcohol Anti-Craving Medications

In this episode of Cracking Addiction we explore the common anti-craving medications used in alcohol use disorder and explain what the choices are, what the indications for these medications are, how they work as well as the common side effects and interactions.Blog available

15 Sep 202125min

Residential alcohol withdrawal management

Residential alcohol withdrawal management

In this episode of Cracking Addiction we explore the intricacies of residential or inpatient alcohol withdrawal management including how to manage patients in a residential setting, complications that can arise and how to management then during alcohol withdrawal, medications and potential dosages of medications uses as well as how to manage patients with pre-existing medical and psychiatric comorbidities.

8 Sep 202120min

Home Based Residential Withdrawal

Home Based Residential Withdrawal

The safe management of alcohol withdrawal is a fundamental skill that medical practitioners should be aware to perform. It is a protocol driven management and needs to be to ensure patient safety. In this episode of Cracking Addiction we explore home based or outpatient alcohol withdrawal and how to select the appropriate people for home based alcohol withdrawal management, how to manage the withdrawal symptoms and how to safely follow up patients.

1 Sep 202121min

The physiology of alcohol withdrawal

The physiology of alcohol withdrawal

Chronic alcohol use can lead to physical dependence. In this episode of Cracking Addiction we talk about the physiology of alcohol withdrawal, complications of alcohol withdrawal including delirium tremens and Wernicke’s encephalopathy and we discuss some of the simple interventions that can be used to guard against these complications

25 Aug 202117min

Alcohol Consumption Pt2

Alcohol Consumption Pt2

In this episode of Cracking Addiction, we continue our deep dive into alcohol. We define alcohol use disorder, the definitions of dependence and addiction, the harms related to alcohol and the natural progression of alcohol use disorder and how to screen for people who might be at risk of alcohol use disorder and the importance of brief interventions.

18 Aug 202117min

Populärt inom Hälsa

somna-med-henrik
rss-bara-en-till-om-missbruk-medberoende-2
inga-beiga-morsor
alska-oss
angestpodden
johannes-hansen-podcast
rss-viktmedicinpodden
sexnoveller-deluxe
not-fanny-anymore
brottarbroder
rss-sjalsligt-avkladd
sova-med-dan-horning
rss-the-house-podcast-3
handen-pa-hjartat
giggles-med-wiggles
rss-personlighetspodden
tyngre-radio
sa-in-i-sjalen
rss-pa-insidan-med-bjorn-rudman
rss-the-house-podcast-4