What are the potential effects of smoking during pregnancy?

Smoking during pregnancy poses significant risks to both the mother and the developing fetus. The correct choice highlights some of the most critical potential effects: low birth weight, preterm birth, and developmental issues.

Low birth weight is a serious concern as it increases the likelihood of health problems in newborns, such as difficulty in regulating body temperature and an increased risk of infections. Smoking reduces the amount of oxygen available to the fetus and can impair fetal growth, resulting in lower weight at birth.

Preterm birth, which refers to delivering before 37 weeks of gestation, is another consequence of smoking. Children born preterm are more susceptible to a range of complications, including breathing difficulties, feeding issues, and longer-term developmental delays.

Developmental issues can arise from the exposure to harmful chemicals found in cigarettes, which might affect the brain and nervous system of the developing fetus. This can lead to challenges in cognitive function, behavior, and learning in childhood.

In contrast, other options present outcomes that do not align with the well-documented effects of smoking during pregnancy, as they suggest benefits or normal biological processes that are contradicted by extensive research on the risks associated with smoking in this vulnerable period.