Call for an instant quote 0345 90 80 161
Open Mon to Fri 08:30 - 19:00 | Sat 09:00 - 16:00 (GMT)
Or call 0345 90 80 161
27 November 2015 09:28
Over one in four pregnant women live with a smoker
Exposure to passive smoking increases the chances of pregnant women having their babies prematurely, a new study suggests.
Researchers say they found exposure to secondary smoke during pregnancy also makes it likelier that women will have smaller babies.
The team at the University of Bristol studied over 5,000 women who had a baby in the city over a two-year period.
They looked at how much carbon monoxide the women were exhaling during the early stages of pregnancy as well as details about their exposure to secondary smoke. They also took the women's age, ethnic background, weight and employment status into account.
The team found that non-smoking pregnant women that lived with people who smoked were likelier to have their babies sooner than those who did not have a smoker in their household.
While around one in seven women carry on smoking while pregnant, more than a quarter live with someone who smokes.
The findings offer more food for thought to busy mums-to-be, who can insure themselves while on holiday with a pregnancy travel insurance policy.
The research team say the impact on babies born to passive smokers is smaller than on those whose mothers smoke themselves. But they add that more pregnant women are affected by passive smoking.
Researcher Dr Rachel Ion says while most women are aware of the dangers posed by smoking during pregnancy, it appears more work is required to educate women, their families and their friends about the impact of passive smoking.
She adds that the findings suggest more should be done to implement measures designed to cut women's exposure to secondary smoke when they are pregnant.
Premature births are said to account for over a million deaths a year around the world with many of the babies who do survive facing long-term problems such as breathing difficulties, and cerebral palsy and costly healthcare.
The study has been published in the Reproductive Sciences online journal.
08 July 2019
Want to taste the real France? Experience the best French food and drink at one of these excellent foodie festivals. Perfect for food and wine lovers everywhere!
[more...]
Tired of the same old travel options? Explore the best travel experiences at one of these weird and wacky festivals from around the world.
Heading to the beach? Pack everything you need for the whole family by following this simple checklist.
05 July 2019
Heading off for some sun this summer? Protect your family's skin with these top tips to stay safe in the sun and prevent sunburn and lasting skin damage.
28 June 2019
Tired of paying over the odds for your family's summer holiday? Keep your costs down with our guide on how to get away for less...
Want to see Europe's greatest sport stars go head-to-head? Then head to Minsk! The capital of Belarus hosts this year's European Games – here's everything you need to know before travelling.
Heading to the European Games? Get more from your trip to Minsk by visiting some of these must-see attractions in the capital of Belarus.
Heading to the Austrian Grand Prix this summer? Get more out of your trip to Spielberg's iconic Red Bull Ring circuit with our guide to the local area.
07 June 2019
Thinking about going camping in France this summer but don't know where to try? Here's our quick guide to the best places to camp, whatever you're looking for.
Get hitched without a hitch! Here are our top tips on how to choose your perfect wedding location abroad, covering everything from food to legalities.
03 June 2019
Want to get into surfing but not sure where to go? Here's where you should be heading to get the best beginner waves around the world.