Thaler I, Goodman J D, Dawes G S
Am J Obstet Gynecol. 1980 Oct 1;138(3):282-7. doi: 10.1016/0002-9378(80)90249-5.
The effect of cigarette smoking on fetal breathing and fetal movements was studied in 10 women with low-risk pregnancy of 34 to 38 weeks' gestation. A continuous Doppler ultrasound method was used to measure fetal breath intervals. Smoking two cigarettes caused a small increase in the rate of fetal breathing (p < 0.01), which persisted for 60 minutes; the proportion of time the fetus spent breathing was not changed. There was a decrease in the number of fetal movements felt by the mother. These findings are discussed in relation to the alleged pathophysiologic effects of tobacco smoking on the fetus.
