Non-smoking Pregnant Women Research Articles

The state of rheological properties of blood in pregnant smokers with chronic nonspecific bronchial inflammation

Aim. To evaluate the effect of smoking on the blood rheology of pregnant smokers with chronic nonspecific bronchial inflammation. Materials and methods. The prospective study included 107 pregnant smoking patients and 136 non-smoking pregnant women who were observed in a polyclinic. The control group consisted of 42 non-smoking women without chronic diseases. The patients were examined according to the clinical guidelines for the treatment of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. The speed and volume indicators of the function of external respiration, indicators of blood rheology were studied. The reliability of the results was assessed using the methods of parametric and nonparametric statistics. Before applying all statistical research methods, it was checked whether the sample obeys the Gaussian (normal) distribution law. A single-factor analysis of variance was used to determine whether there was a statistically significant difference between the averages of three or more independent groups. Results. Having refuted the null hypothesis about the absence of the effect of smoking on hemoglobin, using the Student's t-test method for dependent samples, it was established. Conclusion. The longer the period of tobacco use lasted, the more likely it was to develop changes in the viscosity qualities of blood, which undoubtedly affected the condition of patients and the fetus.

Comparison of Prenatal Attachment Levels in Smoking and Non-Smoking Pregnant Women

Objective: This study aimed to compare prenatal attachment levels between smoker and non-smoker pregnant women. Method: In this comparative-descriptive study, a total of 160 pregnant women (80 smokers-80 non-smokers), who were between 18-35 years of age, had their first pregnancy, were at or above 20 weeks of gestation, and had no chronic health problems or communication problems, among the pregnant women who applied to Family Health Centers for pregnancy follow-up. The data were collected using a Participant Screening Form, the Fagerstrom Test for Nicotine Dependence, Prenatal Attachment Inventory. Results: Although there was no significant difference, it was determined that the attachment scores of non-smokers were higher than those of smokers. A negative correlation was found between nicotine addiction levels and mother-infant attachment levels of pregnant smokers. Bivariate logistic regression analysis revealed that the effect of smoking during pregnancy on prenatal mother-infant attachment (Odds Ratio=0.010; p=0.999) was insignificant. Conclusion: Although the effect of smoking during pregnancy on prenatal attachment was insignificant, it was revealed that the nicotine addiction of pregnant women who smoked during pregnancy reduced prenatal attachment. Strengthening prenatal attachment may be a promising new approach to interventions for smoking cessation during pregnancy. At the same time, not smoking during pregnancy can strengthen prenatal attachment.

The Effects of Maternal Smoking on Thyroid Function: Findings from Routine First-Trimester Sonographic Anomaly Screening.

This study aimed to assess the effect of tobacco exposure on maternal thyroid function and investigate its relationship to subclinical hypothyroidism in pregnant women during the first trimester. A comparison of maternal thyroid function was made on 45 smokers, who composed the study group, and 72 non-smokers, pregnant women, who constituted the control group. After determining smokers by questionnaire, carbon monoxide (CO) levels in the expiratory air of the participants in both groups were measured and recorded, and the smokers' exposure was objectively confirmed. Smoking and non-smoking pregnant women were similar regarding body mass index (BMI). While the TSH and fT4 levels were respectively 1.48 mlU/L and 11.43 pmol/L in pregnant women who smoked, that ratio changed to 1.72 mlU/L and 11.17 pmol/L in the non-smokers' group. But the differences between the groups were not statistically significant (p=0.239, p=0.179). Even though the rate of subclinical hypothyroidism was 8.9% in the smoking group, it was approximately 19.4% in the non-smoker group; the difference was not statistically significant (p=0.187). This study proved that there is no statistically significant difference between maternal serum TSH and fT4 levels and the rate of subclinical hypothyroidism in smokers during pregnancy in the first trimester.

Environmental tobacco smoke increased risk of gestational diabetes mellitus: A birth cohort study in Sichuan, China.

Studies on the relationship between environmental tobacco smoke (ETS) and gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) are limited. In this study, we aimed to clarify the association between ETS at different trimesters of pregnancy and the risk of GDM among non-smoking pregnant women. A total of 16,893 non-smoking mothers from the Southwest Birth Cohort, China, were included in the final analyses. Exposure and outcome measures included self-reported ETS status at different trimesters of pregnancy and GDM diagnosis. Multivariable logistic regression models were constructed to estimate the association between ETS and GDM. The prevalence of ETS exposure was 25.7%. Compared with no ETS, ever ETS had an increased risk of GDM, with an adjusted odds ratio (95% confidence intervals) of 1.21 (1.09, 1.33). The association remained consistent at different trimesters of pregnancy ETS exposure. In the last trimester and with continuous ETS exposure, the risk of GDM increased significantly with the increase in the duration of the exposure. The risk of GDM associated with ever ETS during pregnancy significantly increased in mothers over 30years old and pre-pregnancy overweight (P for interaction <0.05). ETS exposure at different trimesters of pregnancy was associated with an increased risk of GDM among non-smoking pregnant women. These findings emphasise the importance of preventing ETS exposure during pregnancy.

Use of cigarettes and heated tobacco products during pregnancy and maternal–fetal outcomes: a retrospective, monocentric study

PurposeTo compare the effects of using heated tobacco products (HTP) or traditional cigarettes (C) on maternal and neonatal outcomes.MethodsThis is a retrospective, monocentric study conducted at San Marco Hospital from July 2021 to July 2022. We compared a cohort of pregnant patients who smoked HTP (HS), with pregnant women smoking cigarettes (CS), ex-smoker (ES) and non-smoker (NS) pregnant women. Biochemistry, ultrasound, and neonatal evaluations were performed.ResultsIn total, 642 women were enrolled, of which 270 were NS, 114 were ES, 120 were CS, and 138 were HS. CS had the greatest weight gain and had more difficulty getting pregnant. Smokers and ES experienced more frequently threats of preterm labor, miscarriages, temporary hypertensive spikes, and higher rates of cesarean sections. Preterm delivery was more associated with CS and HS groups. CS and HS had lower awareness of the risks to which the mother and the fetus are exposed. CS were more likely to be depressed and anxious. Biochemical parameters did not show significant differences between the groups. CS had the greatest difference in days between the gestational age calculated based on the last menstrual period and the one based on the actual ultrasound age. The average percentile newborn weight range of CS was lower, as well as the mean 1st minute and the 5th minute Apgar scores.ConclusionThe comparison of the data obtained between CS and HS underlines the greater danger of C. Nevertheless, we do not recommend HTP because the maternal–fetal outcomes are not superimposable to the NS outcomes.

Preventive Interventions to Reduce Second-Hand Smoke Exposure Among Non-Smoking Pregnant Women: A Systematic Review

The alarming number of smokers have increased public health concerns regarding the effects of second-hand smoke (SHS) on non-smokers, especially amongst pregnant women and unborn babies. This paper aims to review the existing interventions used to reduce SHS exposure amongst non-smoking pregnant women. This review was guided by the PRISMA (Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Review and Meta-Analyses) review method. Published articles were identified through three databases: ProQuest, Science Direct, and Scopus within the 2010–2021 timeframe. Articles related to the intervention to reduce SHS exposure among non-smoking pregnant women were included. Nine studies were identified and reviewed. Most of the preventive interventions primarily focused on pregnant women as the target group, whereas a few interventions directly focused on changing the smoking behaviour of their spouses. This review suggests that using theories as a foundation in designing the intervention effectively reduces exposure to SHS among non-smoking pregnant women. The main limitation as reported by most studies was the lack of biochemical verification. Thus, future intervention should consider both pregnant women and their smoking spouses as the target group and include relevant theories in clinical intervention.

Effects of passive smoking on severe nausea and vomiting of pregnancy among urban Chinese nonsmoking women

BackgroundNausea and vomiting of pregnancy (NVP) is one of the most common pregnancy-associated symptoms, but little is known about the effects of passive smoking on this symptom. Passive smoking among women is widespread and severe in China due to the high proportion of men who smoke actively. The aim of this study is to examine the association between maternal passive smoking and severe NVP in early pregnancy among nonsmoking women in urban China. MethodsWe collected information on passive smoking status and severe NVP in early pregnancy based on an ongoing prospective cohort study conducted from October 2017 to May 2019 in Beijing, China. We used multivariable logistic model to calculate adjusted odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals (95% CIs) after controlling for confounding factors. ResultsAmong 3064 participants who were involved in the final analysis, 7.4% (n = 227) were passive smokers and 9.8% (n = 299) reported severe NVP. After adjusting for potential confounders, passive smoking conferred an increased risk of NVP (adjusted OR = 1.62, 95% CI: 1.08, 2.43). The frequency of exposure to second-hand smoke showed a positive relationship with the risk of severe NVP, and significant subgroup differences were also observed in stratified analyses by parity and education level. ConclusionsOur results suggested that maternal exposure to second-hand smoke remained to be a major public health problem in urban China, and that passive smoking during the first trimester may increase the risk of severe NVP among nonsmoking pregnant women. Measures should be taken to reduce the impact of second-hand smoke exposure on pregnant women.

Associations of Education and Income with Secondhand Smoke Exposure Among Non-smoking Pregnant Women in Japan: The Tohoku Medical Megabank Project Birth and Three-Generation Cohort Study.

There is accumulating evidence that lower socioeconomic groups are more exposed to secondhand smoke (SHS) than higher ones in the general population. The objective of the study was to examine the associations of education and income with SHS exposure among non-smoking pregnant women in Japan. We analyzed data from 11,615 non-smoking pregnant women in Japan who participated in the Tohoku Medical Megabank Project Birth and Three-Generation Cohort Study from 2013 to 2017. SHS exposure was defined as indoor exposure to someone else's cigarette smoke ≥ 1day/week during pregnancy. Multiple logistic regression analyses were conducted to examine whether pregnant women's educational attainment or equivalent household income was associated with SHS exposure, adjusting for covariates. Stratified analyses by work status were also conducted. The prevalence of SHS exposure during pregnancy was 32.6%; 27.6% among non-working women and 35.8% among working women. Lower educational attainment was associated with an increased risk of SHS exposure; the odds ratio of high school education or lower compared with university education or higher was 1.87 (95% confidence interval, 1.66-2.10). Lower equivalent household income was associated with an increased risk of SHS exposure; the odds ratio of the lowest compared with the highest level of income was 1.53 (95% confidence interval, 1.35-1.74). These associations did not differ between non-working women and working women. Associations of education and income with SHS exposure imply that educational interventions and financial incentives are needed for pregnant women and their household smokers.

The impact of an online educational program to reduce second-hand exposure to smoke among nonsmoking pregnant women; a hospital-based intervention study

BackgroundSecond-hand smoke is recognized as a public health concern, especially for pregnant women. ObjectivesTo compare pregnant women's exposure and perceptions of SHS pre-and post-intervention. Materials and methodsThe study was conducted with a sample of 32 pregnant women at a tertiary university hospital in Jordan. Using a semi-structured questionnaire, researchers asked women about their knowledge, attitude and behavior regarding prenatal exposure to smoke before and after an intervention that included motivation, communication, education and counselling by using a range of media. A cotinine test was conducted to measure levels in second-hand smokers. ResultsThe average maternal age was 30.88 ± 1.69 years; 68% were highly educated, 43% were employed, 37% reported not having sufficient income, and 62% did not attend for antenatal care on a regular basis. There was a significant increase in knowledge and awareness regarding second-hand smoking and its effect on pregnancy outcomes after the intervention. More than 90% of pregnant women supported a comprehensive policy in relation to smoking, and 33% of used to leave the room where others smoked. This percentage increased to 70% after the intervention. Cotinine level decreased after the intervention in 81% of cases. ConclusionsThere is an increase in knowledge and awareness regarding second-hand smoking and its effects on pregnancy outcomes after implementation of an educational intervention.

Altered Fetal Cardiac Function in Smoking During Pregnancy

AbstractMaternal smoking during pregnancy remains a major public health issue and is associated with adverse perinatal outcomes. This study aimed to evaluate fetal cardiac functions in chronic maternal smoking during pregnancy and to compare them with non-smoker pregnant women. Forty-two smoker pregnant women between 24 and 34 weeks of gestation and gestational age-matched 44 non-smoker pregnant women were enrolled in this cross-sectional study. Fetal cardiac functions were measured using conventional Doppler echocardiography. The peak velocities of the mitral valve during early diastole (E) and atrial contraction (A) were measured, and the E/A ratio was calculated. The following time periods were also calculated; isovolumetric contraction time (ICT), isovolumetric relaxation time (IRT), and ejection time (ET). Then, the fetal left ventricle modified myocardial performance index (Mod-MPI) was calculated. No significant differences were noted between the groups in terms of E, A, and E/A ratio z-scores (p &gt; 0.05). The ICT and IRT z-scores were found to be significantly higher in the study group compared with those in the control group (p = 0.001 and p = 0.034). Mod-MPI z-score was also found significantly higher in the study group than in the control group (p = 0.034). There was no significant difference between the groups in terms of ET (p &gt; 0.05). The signs of systolic, diastolic, and global cardiac dysfunction were demonstrated in fetuses of pregnant women with chronic smoking. It, therefore, merits consideration that the fetal heart is also exposed to the detrimental effects of smoking.

Maternal vitamin D status modifies the effects of early life tobacco exposure on child lung function

Prior studies suggest that vitamin D may modify the effects of environmental exposures; however, none have investigated gestational vitamin D and cumulative tobacco smoke exposure (TSE) throughout pregnancy and early life. This study investigated the effects of early life TSE on child lung function and the modulatory effects of gestational vitamin D on this association. The VDAART (Vitamin D Antenatal Asthma Reduction Trial) recruited nonsmoking pregnant women and followed the mother-child pairs to age 6 years. TSE was assessed with questionnaires and plasma cotinine measurements in the mothers (10-18 and 32-38 gestational weeks) and children (1, 3, and 6 years). Cumulative TSE was calculated from the repeated cotinine measurements. 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25[OH]D) levels were measured at 10-18 and 32-38 gestational weeks. Lung function was assessed at 6 years with spirometry and impulse oscillometry. Of the 476 mother-child pairs, 205 (43%) had increased cotinine levels at ≥1 time point. Cumulative TSE was associated with decreased FEV1 (β= -0.043 L, P= .018) and increased respiratory resistance at 5 Hz (R5; β= 0.060 kPa/L/s, P= .002). This association persisted in subjects with insufficient (<30 ng/mL) 25(OH)D levels throughout pregnancy (β= 0.077 kPa/L/s, P= .016 for R5) but not among those with sufficient levels throughout pregnancy. Cumulative TSE from pregnancy to childhood is associated with dose- and duration-dependent decreases in child lung function at 6 years even in the absence of reported maternal smoking. Gestational vitamin D may modulate this effect and have therapeutic potential for minimizing the adverse effect of TSE on lung throughout early life. Maternal Vitamin D Supplementation to Prevent Childhood Asthma (VDAART); clinicaltrials.gov identifier: NCT00920621.

Pregnant women's beliefs about third-hand smoke and exposure to tobacco smoke.

The aim of this study was to reveal pregnant women's beliefs about third-hand smoke and their exposure to tobacco smoke. The population of this cross-sectional study consisted of patients attending the obstetrics and gynaecology outpatient clinic of the hospital in Samsun, a province of Turkey on the Black Sea coast (annual average 4,000 pregnant women). The minimum sample size of the study was determined as 350 at a confidence interval of 95%, prevalence of 50% and margin of error 0.05. The study data were collected with the personal information form used to determine the personal characteristics of the participants, and the Beliefs about Third-Hand Smoke (BATHS-T) scale. The data were analysed in the SPSS 25.0 program using the descriptive statistics and multiple regression analysis. The mean age of the participating pregnant women was 26.84 ± 4.372 years. Of them, 48.4% were high school graduates and 86% did not work. Their mean gestational age was 29.85 ± 9.238 weeks, and 69.8% of them were in the third trimester. Of them, 9.8% were smokers, and the average number of cigarettes they smoked per day was 6.97 ± 4.931. The mean score they obtained from the BATHS-T scale was 3.79 ± 0.859. There was a significant relationship between the mean score obtained from the BATHS-T scale and the variables such as education and smoking status. As the level of education increased, exposure to third-hand smoke decreased (p < 0.05). The mean score the smoking pregnant women obtained from the BATHS-T scale was lower than that of the non-smoking pregnant women. High level of education decreases exposure to third-hand smoke. Belief in third-hand smoke is an important factor affecting pregnant women's smoking habit.

Association between secondhand smoke exposure in pregnant women and their socioeconomic status and its interaction with age: a cross-sectional study

BackgroundExisting evidence highlights that exposure to secondhand smoke (SHS) is a risk factor for pregnant women’s health and is possibly affected by individual characteristics. This study aimed to explore the effect of individual socioeconomic status (SES) on SHS exposure among pregnant women in the third trimester and the interaction effect of age.MethodsA total of 678 nonsmoking pregnant women with a median age of 29.0 years from 14 communities in a medium-sized city were recruited for this survey. Exposure to SHS was defined as the self-reported smoking habit of a spouse/partner. Individual SES characteristics consisted of marital status, educational attainment, employment and per capita monthly income.ResultsThere were 238 (35.1%) participants who suffered from SHS exposure. Compared to the pregnant women who were employed, those who were unemployed were more likely to suffer from SHS exposure (OR = 1.572, 95% CI: 1.013–2.441). Participants who had a high school or technical secondary school education were more likely to be exposed to SHS than those with a college education or above (OR = 1.601, 95% CI: 1.029–2.449). Advanced age was a protective factor for participants with a college education or above (OR = 0.939, 95% CI: 0.884–0.997), but age increased the risk of SHS exposure among women who had unstable marriages (OR = 1.256, 95% CI: 1.019–1.549).ConclusionExposure to SHS was very common among pregnant women in the third trimester. Pregnant women with a low SES and an older age should be considered a key population for the implementation of public health interventions.

The effect of health education on second-hand smoke knowledge and exposure among pregnant women in Jordan: A quasi-experimental study

Second-Hand Smoke (SHS) is a significant health issue. For non-smoker pregnant women, SHS exposure can lead to harmful consequences on the fetus. This study aimed to examine the effectiveness of a health education program in decreasing SHS exposure and increasing pregnant women's knowledge of its harmful effects. A quasi-experimental (pretest-posttest control group) design and the second-hand exposure questionnaire (SS-A) were used. A convenience sample of 136 pregnant Jordanian women from the antenatal clinic was recruited and assigned to an intervention group (n = 70) and a control group (n = 66). The intervention group received a health education program, while the control group received the usual antenatal care. The data were collected from October to December 2018. The results revealed that the highest exposure to SHS was in the home setting, with an average of 8.7 ± 2.21 hours daily for both groups. After the educational program, there were significantly lower scores of exposure and a higher score of knowledge in the intervention group, compared to the control group (p < 0.001). There was also a significant decrease in the scores of exposure and a significant increase in the score of knowledge of the intervention group from pretest to posttest (p < 0.001). The study provides evidence about the importance of a program to educate pregnant women about the negative impact of SHS. Nurses need to assess SHS exposure and provide health education for pregnant women.

Knowledge, Attitude, and Behavior in Avoiding Environmental Tobacco Smoke Exposure at Home among Pregnant Women

Background: There is a paucity of research on knowledge, attitude, and practice regarding the harms of exposure to Environmental Tobacco Smoke (ETS) among pregnant women. Objective: This study, therefore, aimed to examine the knowledge, attitude, and avoidance behavior towards ETS exposure at home among Iranian pregnant women. Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted in 2019 on 150 non-smoking pregnant women having husbands who smoked in Urmia, Iran. The participants were selected through a multi-stage process. The data were collected using a researcher-made questionnaire that measured demographic data, knowledge, attitude, and behaviors in avoiding ETS. The data were analyzed using Pearson’s correlation coefficient, t-test, and ANOVA by SPSS-16 at a significance level of 0.05. Results: The majority of participants (54.7%) had sufficient knowledge about ETS. The women's attitude and efforts to prevent ETS exposure were moderate in 50% and 60% of the cases, respectively. The participants’ knowledge was significantly associated with their level of education, employment status, and family income (P&lt;0.05). Knowledge had a significant and positive relationship with attitude (P=0.001, r=0.280) and efforts to prevent ETS exposure (P&lt;0.001, r=0.403). Conclusion: Knowledge about ETS was significantly correlated with attitude and avoidance behavior of ETS exposure. Therefore, pregnancy care providers should implement interventional programs to improve the attitude and practice of pregnant women. Public health initiatives are also needed to empower women and encourage them to reduce ETS exposure.

Designing Spouse-based Educational Intervention to Reduce Second-hand Smoke For Pregnant Women: A Study Protocol For Randomized Control Trial

Introduction: Secondhand smoke (SHS) exposure affects not only the maternal wellbeing but also unborn baby. This study aims to develop a spouse-based educational intervention to reduce SHS exposure by examining the understanding and perception of both pregnant women and their smoking spouses. Methods: Using a sequential exploratory mixed-method research design, this study will be conducted through four phases. In the first phase, a qualitative study will be conducted to examine the understanding and perception of pregnant women and their smoking spouses regarding secondhand smoke exposure. In the second phase, the content of the educational intervention will be designed based on the outcomes of the first phase and from the literature review. Validation of the designed intervention will be conducted by experts to assess the accuracy of the contents in phase 3. After the validation, a pilot study will be conducted to measure the comprehensiveness of the module. The feasibility and effectiveness of the intervention will be measured in phase four by a pre-test and post-test study design. Expected outcome and conclusion: The designed educational intervention module of SHS exposure can be used as a breakthrough point to empower non-smoking pregnant women to protect themselves from secondhand smoke exposure, and also to facilitate the smoking spouse to change their smoking behavior, and thus promote the smoke-free home.

Variation of Complement Protein Levels in Maternal Plasma and Umbilical Cord Blood during Normal Pregnancy: An Observational Study.

The complement system constitutes a crucial part of the innate immunity, mediating opsonization, lysis, inflammation, and elimination of potential pathogens. In general, there is an increased activity of the complement system during pregnancy, which is essential for maintaining the host’s defense and fetal survival. Unbalanced or excessive activation of the complement system in the placenta is associated with pregnancy complications, such as miscarriage, preeclampsia, and premature birth. Nonetheless, the actual clinical value of monitoring the activation of the complement system during pregnancy remains to be investigated. Unfortunately, normal reference values specifically for pregnant women are missing, and for umbilical cord blood (UCB), data on complement protein levels are scarce. Herein, complement protein analyses (C1q, C3, C4, C3d levels, and C3d/C3 ratio) were performed in plasma samples from 100 healthy, non-medicated and non-smoking pregnant women, collected during different trimesters and at the time of delivery. In addition, UCB was collected at all deliveries. Maternal plasma C1q and C3d/C3 ratio showed the highest mean values during the first trimester, whereas C3, C4, and C3d had rising values until delivery. We observed low levels of C1q and C4 as well as increased C3d and C3d/C3 ratio, particularly during the first trimester, as a sign of complement activation in some women. However, the reference limits of complement analyses applied for the general population appeared appropriate for the majority of the samples. As expected, the mean complement concentrations in UCB were much lower than in maternal plasma, due to the immature complement system in neonates.

Portable HEPA Filter Air Cleaner Use during Pregnancy and Children's Cognitive Performance at Four Years of Age: The UGAAR Randomized Controlled Trial.

Background:Developmental exposure to air pollution is associated with diminished cognitive abilities in observational studies, but no randomized controlled trial has examined the effect of reducing air pollution on cognition in children.Objectives:We sought to quantify the impact of reducing exposure to particulate matter (PM) during pregnancy on children’s cognitive performance at 4 y of age.Methods:In this single-blind, parallel-group, randomized controlled trial in Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia, we randomly assigned 540 nonsmoking pregnant women (268 intervention and 272 control) to receive 1–2 portable high-efficiency particulate air (HEPA) filter air cleaners or no air cleaners. The air cleaners were used from a median of 11 wk gestation until the end of pregnancy. The primary outcome was full-scale intelligence quotient (FSIQ) assessed using the Wechsler Preschool and Primary Scale of Intelligence, Fourth Edition (WPPSI-IV) when children were a median of 48 months old. We imputed missing outcome data using multiple imputation with chained equations, and our primary analysis was by intention to treat.Results:After excluding known miscarriages, stillbirths, neonatal deaths, and medical conditions that impeded cognitive testing and imputation, 475 (233 control and 242 intervention) children were included in our analyses. In an unadjusted analysis, the mean FSIQ of children who were randomly assigned to the intervention group was 2.5 points [95% confidence interval (CI): , 5.4 points] higher than that of children in the control group. After adjustment to account for an imbalance in preterm birth between groups, the effect estimate increased to 2.8 points (95% CI: , 5.7).Conclusions:Reducing PM air pollution during pregnancy may improve cognitive performance in childhood. https://doi.org/10.1289/EHP10302

The Effect of Couple's Motivational Interviewing on Exposure to Secondhand Smoke Among Pregnant Women at Home.

Objective: Secondhand smoke (SHS) during pregnancy is associated with many maternal-fetal complications. Iran has a high male smoking prevalence rate. This study aimed to determine the effect of motivational interviewing with couples on exposure to SHS at home in pregnant women referring to health centers in Urmia in 2019. Materials and methods : A randomized control trial was performed on 112 non-smoking pregnant women with smoking husbands, randomly allocated into two groups (each with 56 members). The participants were asked to specify the daily average times and duration of exposure during the last week. Five motivational interviewing sessions were held for the members of the intervention group. Each session lasted90 minutes and two sessions were held per week. The data were collected before and four weeks after the intervention. The data were analyzed using the repeated-measures analysis of variance (ANOVA) by SPSS-20 at a significance level of 0.05. Results: Of 112 couples who were randomized, 102 (91.07%) completed the trial. There was a significant reduction in terms of the daily frequency and duration of SHS exposure of the husband one week and one month after the intervention in the intervention group. The daily frequency and duration of SHS exposure of people other than the spouse at home did not decrease over time. Conclusion: Following the results of the study, the couple-based motivational interviewing approach can be used to reduce SHS exposure in women at home.

Antenatal Classes in the Context of Prenatal Anxiety and Depression during the COVID-19 Pandemic.

Perinatal maternal anxiety and depression negatively affect intrauterine fetal development, birth outcome, breastfeeding initiation, duration, and milk composition. Antenatal classes potentially reduce the anxiety of pregnant women and may thus contribute to healthy infant development. The study investigates the relationship between participation in online or in-person antenatal classes and levels of anxiety and depression in Polish women during the COVID-19 pandemic. The study group included 1774 adult, non-smoking pregnant women. We compared the state anxiety (STAI-State) and depression levels (EPDS) in women who (i) attended antenatal classes in-person, (ii) attended online classes, and (iii) did not attend any of them. The statistical analyses included a GLM model and trend analysis, while controlling for maternal trait anxiety, age, pregnancy complications, trimester of pregnancy, previous pregnancies, and COVID-19 infections. We observed statistically significant differences in the level of anxiety (and depression). Women who did attend antenatal classes in person had the lowest levels of anxiety and depression. Considering the importance of maternal mental well-being on fetal development, birth outcome, and breastfeeding, in-person participation in antenatal classes should be recommended to pregnant women.