I have to agree, I don't think he's smoking either. If he is, she'd be pretty stupid to put it on her story, even a glimpse. They'd both be stupid to allow him to smoke in the house full stop especially around a pregnant woman.
I think if either member of a couple is a smoker at their booking in appointment with their midwife, as well as the "talk" they should be shown the placenta of a smoker v's a non smoker.
I will NEVER forget one client and her placenta. She was a Russian lady, smoked heavily throughout her pregnancy, despite numerous talk and warnings etc. She knew her baby was growing small because of it, yet still wouldn't stop. She had always been adamant that she wanted an elective c/section but we ended up having to deliver her slightly early because the baby had IUGR (Intrauterine Growth Restriction) and at that stage, was safer being out than in. DURING the operation, she asked how soon after she would be able to have a cigarette and postnatally, she continued to smoke like a train too!!
After the baby is born, the placenta is then delivered and you then have to check it over, to check its condition, make sure it has come away fully and is intact and that the two membranes match up and check where the placement and condition of the cord is and take cord samples etc. A healthy placenta is of a decent size, weight, and thickness, good colour (red colour - maternal side v.s grey(ish) baby side) and feels fairly smooth (with some rough/gritty patches potentially) and just looks healthy if that makes sense. This lady's was smaller than average, quite thin, totally grey and when you ran your hand over it, it felt totally rough and all gritty. I found it so upsetting, because that was a clear sign, that the placenta was not working and was effectively dying. Who knows what could have happened if she had been left to go to term or even days longer, but it doesn't bear thinking about. All the more shocking when you examine the placenta of someone who has had a still birth, who's placenta was not working effectively yet still looked far healthier than that one. Like I said it will always stick with me.
I sleep well at night knowing not only I bought everything for my kids and myself, but hey aren’t living in a potential fireball.
