Factors that May

Affect the Unborn

Child
weight and
nutritional state
A baby’s immune
system programming is
also affected by
maternal diet which
determines the over all
immune function over
• Anemia (Iron Deficiency)

When you’re pregnant you may

develop anemia. When you have
anemia, your blood doesn't have enough
healthy red blood cells to carry oxygen to
your tissue and to your baby.
• Cigarette smoking
and substance abuse
Smoking and substance abuse can
endanger the life of the expectant
mother and the unborn baby. Cigarettes
contains dangerous chemicals that
significantly increase the risk of
pregnancy complications such as:
A. Early miscarriage and still
birth
Miscarriage is when an embryo or fetus dies
before the 20th week of pregnancy. Chromosomal
problems are the most common cause of
miscarriages, it’s possible heavy exposure to
cigarette smoke could play a role. Smoking also
can affect the lining of the uterus, making it
difficult for a fertilized egg to implant.
B. Placental abruption
Placental abruption is when the placenta
separates early from the uterus, in other words
separates before childbirth. It occurs most
commonly around 25 weeks of pregnancy.
Symptoms may include vaginal bleeding, lower
abdominal pain, and dangerously low blood
pressure.
C. Placenta Previa
This occurs when the placenta stay in the
lower part of the uterus, partially or fully
covering the cervix. Placenta previa can
cause severe bleeding during pregnancy and
delivery. If you have placenta previa, you
might bleed throughout your pregnancy and
during your delivery.
D. Preterm birth
Preterm birth, also known as premature birth,
is the birth of a baby at fewer than 37 weeks'
gestational age, as opposed to the usual about
40 weeks. Premature infants are at greater risk
for cerebral palsy, delays in development,
hearing problems and sight problems
E. Low birth weight
When you smoke you inhale poisons such as
nicotine, lead, arsenic, and carbon monoxide.
These poisons get into the placenta, which is the
tissue that connects you to your baby and sends
oxygen and nutrients and eliminates wastes.
These poisons keep your baby from getting the
proper supply of nutrients and oxygen that he or
she needs to grow.
• Uterine blood flow
A pregnant woman experiencing an abnormal
uterine blood flow has a high risk for eclampsia.
Eclampsia is a life-threatening complication of
pregnancy. It is a condition that causes a pregnant
woman, usually previously diagnosed with pre
eclampsia (high blood pressure and protein in the
urine), to develop seizures or coma