Final answer:
A newly confirmed pregnant patient asks the nurse what the dangers of smoking are to her baby. The nurse tells her that smoking can cause the fetus to have reduced blood oxygen in the fetus, resulting in complications such as premature birth, low birth weight, stillbirth, and SIDS.
Step-by-step explanation:
A patient who is confirmed pregnant asks about the dangers of smoking to her baby, and it is important to know that smoking during pregnancy can lead to several severe health issues for both the mother and the fetus. When a mother smokes, the fetus is exposed to toxins that can significantly reduce blood oxygen levels. This reduction in oxygen can result in a number of complications including premature birth, low birth weight, stillbirth, and sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS). Additionally, smoking has also been associated with an increased risk of preterm labor, placental abruption, and spontaneous abortion.
Furthermore, smoking can impact the female reproductive system as a whole, potentially causing infertility and interfering with the body's ability to produce estrogen. For women who are pregnant, exposure to smoke, either firsthand or secondhand, raises the likelihood of experiencing miscarriage or delivering low-birth-weight infants. It is crucial for pregnant women to understand these risks and seek support to quit smoking for the health of their baby and themselves.