MONROE - January is National Birth Defects Prevention Month, and this year members of the Southwest Alliance for Tobacco Prevention are encouraging all pregnant women who smoke to kick their addiction. Quitting tobacco comes with numerous benefits for both mother and child, but health advocates say it is especially relevant to the birth defects conversation because smoking during pregnancy can cause birth defects like cleft lips and/or cleft palates (which means the lip or palate does not form completely). The carbon monoxide in cigarettes also keeps the fetus from getting enough oxygen, which can lead to tissue damage in the fetus, particularly in the lungs and brain.

In addition to lowering the risk of birth defects, quitting smoking while pregnant can provide other benefits. Immediately after a pregnant woman quits smoking, her baby starts receiving more oxygen. In addition to that, women who quit smoking lower their baby's chances at having low birth weight. Additionally, there is a lower risk of miscarriage and stillbirth. Benefits continue after baby is born with less congestive problems and lower risk of sudden infant death syndrome.

Quitting smoking is stressful, and being pregnant at the same time can add to that stress. Free help is available through Wisconsin's First Breath program, which has helped thousands of pregnant women quit smoking through counseling and support.

Pregnant women who smoke and want to quit can contact the First Breath program at 1-800-448-5148 or visit their website at www.wwhf.org/programs/first-breath/women/.