Pregnant women 'ignoring smoke risks'

MUMS-TO-BE are huffing and puffing their way to the delivery room, but from cigarettes rather than the exertions of labour.

A study in one major maternity hospital found almost half the expectant mothers planning to give birth there knowingly smoked during their pregnancy while others smoked up to the time they realised they were pregnant.

Both groups were at increased risk of miscarriage, premature labour, stillbirth, low-weight babies, sudden infant death syndrome and tots who go on to develop chronic lung problems as they grow. However, while most of the mums who smoked said they knew smoking was bad for them, they didn't realise the devastating impact it could have on their unborn babies.