Safe Motherhood

Supporting Information

A pregnant woman can damage her own health and the health of the foetus by smoking or living in an environment where others smoke, by drinking alcohol or by using narcotic drugs. It is important not to take medicines during pregnancy unless they are absolutely necessary and prescribed by a trained health worker.

If a pregnant woman smokes, her child is likely to be born underweight and is also more likely to have coughs, colds, croup, pneumonia or other breathing problems.

To ensure the physical growth and mental development of the child, pregnant women and young children need to be protected from smoke from tobacco or cooking fires; from pesticides, herbicides and other poisons; and from pollutants such as lead, found in water transported by lead pipes, vehicle exhaust and some paints.