Snuff Use During Pregnancy Is Harmful to Newborns

　
Study Shows Smokeless Tobacco Increases Risk That Newborns Will Have Breathing Pauses in Sleep

　　Aug. 29, 2011 -- Most moms-to-be are aware that you shouldn't smoke during pregnancy, but some have a hard time kicking the habit. Some turn to smokeless tobacco like snuff or other nicotine-replacement products.
But these products -- and the nicotine they release - are harmful for newborns, a study suggests.
The study is published in Pediatrics.

　　Snuff is a fine-grain tobacco that users "dip" between their lower lip and gum. The new study took place in Sweden where many people use snuff.
Using snuff during pregnancy may increase a newborn's risk for brief pauses in breathing during sleep (called sleep apnea) even more so than smoking cigarettes.
Michael Siegel, MD, the associate chairman of community health sciences at the Boston University School of Public Health, says we are not just talking about snuff. "The new study has broader implications."
It's the nicotine, not the way it is delivered, that may increase health risks in newborns, says Siegel. Siegel reviewed the study for WebMD.
These same risks may hold for other smokeless tobacco products and nicotine replacement therapy, he says. "Some doctors do tell pregnant women to quit smoking with nicotine replacement products."
"A cold turkey approach is what is called for among pregnant women," he says.

Classic symptoms of pregnancy

In addition to a missed period, the earliest symptoms of pregnancy might include:
Nausea with or without vomiting. Morning sickness, which can strike at any time of the day or night, sometimes begins as early as three weeks after conception. Nausea seems to stem at least in part from rapidly rising levels of estrogen and progesterone, which cause the stomach to empty more slowly. Pregnant women also have a heightened sense of smell, so various odors — such as foods cooking, perfume or cigarette smoke — might cause waves of nausea in early pregnancy.
Tender, swollen breasts. Your breasts might provide one of the first symptoms of pregnancy. As early as two to three weeks after conception, hormonal changes might make your breasts tender, tingly or sore. Or your breasts might feel fuller and heavier.
Increased urination. You might find yourself urinating more often than usual, especially at night.
Fatigue. Fatigue also ranks high among early symptoms of pregnancy. During early pregnancy, levels of the hormone progesterone soar — which can put you to sleep. At the same time, lower blood sugar levels, lower blood pressure and increased blood production might team up to sap your energy.
Food aversions or cravings. When you're pregnant, you might find yourself turning up your nose at certain foods, such as coffee or fried foods. Food cravings are common, too. Like most other symptoms of pregnancy, these food preferences can be chalked up to hormonal changes — especially in the first trimester, when hormonal changes are the most dramatic.

　　Sometimes symptoms of pregnancy are less familiar or obvious. If you're pregnant, you might experience:
Slight bleeding or cramping. Sometimes a small amount of spotting or vaginal bleeding is one of the first symptoms of pregnancy. Known as implantation bleeding, it happens when the fertilized egg attaches to the lining of the uterus — about 10 to 14 days after fertilization. This type of bleeding is usually a bit earlier, spottier and lighter in color than a normal period and doesn't last as long. Some women also experience abdominal cramping — similar to menstrual cramping — early in pregnancy.
Mood swings. The flood of hormones in your body in early pregnancy can make you unusually emotional and weepy. Mood swings also are common, especially in the first trimester.
Dizziness. As your blood vessels dilate and your blood pressure drops, you might feel lightheaded or dizzy. Early in pregnancy, faintness also can be triggered by low blood sugar.
Constipation. An increase in progesterone causes food to pass more slowly through the intestines, which can lead to constipation early in pregnancy. Constipation can be aggravated by prenatal vitamins containing iron.
In addition, your basal body temperature — your oral temperature when you first wake up in the morning — might provide an early clue about pregnancy. Basal body temperature increases slightly soon after ovulation and remains at that level until your next period. If you've been charting your basal body temperature to determine when you ovulate, its continued elevation for more than two weeks could mean that you're pregnant.