Does smoking affect pregnancy?

Smoking indeed has adverse effects on pregnancy. Excessive smoking by either males or females can impact the success rate of conception and the health of the fetus. For males, long-term heavy smoking may affect sperm quality, leading to problems such as oligospermia (low sperm count) and asthenospermia (poor sperm motility), thereby reducing the likelihood of successful conception. For females, smoking may impair egg quality and increase the risk of infertility and recurrent miscarriages. Additionally, harmful substances in tobacco, such as nicotine and tar, may enter the reproductive system through the bloodstream, negatively affecting sperm or eggs and further influencing fertility. During the preconception period, couples are advised to quit smoking and abstain from alcohol for at least six months to achieve better reproductive outcomes. If already pregnant, women should avoid smoking throughout the entire pregnancy, as harmful substances in tobacco may adversely affect fetal growth and development, potentially leading to congenital malformations or growth retardation.