Smoking whilst pregnant?
I am 27 weeks pregnant.
I can't stop smoking, i have tried literally everything i can think of, including acupuncture, patches, gum, hypnotherapy, affirmations and even thrown away a packet with 19 cigarettes in them. I would try those tablets but they won't give them to me as i'm pregnant. I've told my midwife about this and she said she would refer me to smoking cessation classes, but she hasnt done anything about it. I used to think i had alot of willpower before this, NOT NOW lol. I smoke about 10-20 a day.
Any suggestions?
**FOR PEOPLE WHO ARE GOING TO WRITE INSULTING THINGS DON'T BOTHER, I AM ASKING FOR HELP NOT PATRONISING BULLSH!T.
I don't have a partner at the moment, i live with my mother, who smokes about 40 a day, ive asked her to stop with me, but she refuses to stop, and i can't make her at the end of the day. Even if i never bought cigarettes, she always has them on display so i see them all the time.
I think the only way you can truly stop is to mentally force yourself. You can replace it with something else, like whenever you crave a cig suck on a piece of ice, or something to that effect.
Good luck
Posted in hypnotherapy stop smoking
November 13th, 2007 at 7:21 pm
you need to force yourself to stop..
its a mental thing..
just tell yourself not to ..
you have to fight it..
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November 13th, 2007 at 7:21 pm
Do you think it might help if you concentrated on your baby's wellbeing?
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November 13th, 2007 at 7:21 pm
no no nooooooooooo
!!!!!!STOP!!!!!
If u will smoke, ur kid will start smockin frm his early ages.
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bhai
November 13th, 2007 at 7:21 pm
I wish I had more help. You're trying everything. Can your partner or friend hide all the cigarettes but only give you 5 a day for a week and then ween you off slowly? That's the only other idea I can come up with.
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November 13th, 2007 at 7:22 pm
Are you in a relationship? Ask for help from your partner. If he sees you smoking tell him he needs to take away your cigarettes. Have him do a clean sweep of the house to get rid of any cigarettes you may have, and give him your money so you can't buy any. Anything you want to buy, he will have to give you the exact amount and you need to give him the receipt. I know it sounds 1950s, but if you have no money, you can't get any cigarettes.
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November 13th, 2007 at 7:22 pm
try to stop..
think about the baby that your going to give birth to :X
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November 13th, 2007 at 7:22 pm
Russian roulette with an automatic pistol?
Or taking the plug in radio in the bathtub with you
Playing on the freeway
if these sound like fun things, then smoking while pregnant could be just as enjoyable for your baby
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November 13th, 2007 at 7:22 pm
My Gosh!! Read and become educated. Protect that baby. Yes!! Call a smoking cessation class. The fact you are asking shows all you are a very caring lady. Best to you.
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November 13th, 2007 at 7:22 pm
This is not a insult, but if i was pregnant, my unborn baby would be enough reason to quit and give me the will power. you say you have tried everything. all that you listed is what i would have suggested. good luck to you.
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November 13th, 2007 at 7:22 pm
I know it can be hard, but you have to think risking your babys life when you could tell yorself not to and have a healthy baby, it isnt for sure but dont you think it deserves a chance?
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November 13th, 2007 at 7:23 pm
Smoking is really not a good idea while your pregnant, which you seem to already know. I would suggest, howver, that if you can't quit totally then try and cut down as much as humanly possible.
HTH
-SLB
Express your inner randomness
http://www.GatsWiz.com
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November 13th, 2007 at 7:23 pm
Have you tried a thing called Chantix? My mom is a really bad chain smoker, and she's tried three times to quit. You get really bad gas, but it works like a charm. In your situation, however, you can't do this without harming your unborn child. Try weening or cold turkey, two very practical and natural ways to quit. Good luck on your quitting road!
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November 13th, 2007 at 7:23 pm
I think the only way you can truly stop is to mentally force yourself. You can replace it with something else, like whenever you crave a cig suck on a piece of ice, or something to that effect.
Good luck
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November 13th, 2007 at 7:23 pm
Think about the risks to the baby when you feel like smoking.
I have been using an alternative therapy called Emotional Freedom Technique for anxiety and depression which has helped me a lot. I only have mild anxiety and depression now. It has really worked for me and I have been feeling a lot better since using EFT. It's very good at getting rid of all kinds of negative emotions and dealing with all kinds of issues quickly. It does sound crazy but does work. Might be something that can help you. If you type smoking in the search engine of emofree.com you should find some articles about EFT helping who people who smoke.
References :
http://www.emofree.com/
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Emotional_freedom_technique
http://www.sarah-holland.co.uk/howto.html
November 13th, 2007 at 7:23 pm
I had the same problem when i fell pregnant. I had to completely changed my lifestyle. I moved towns ( a bit drastic i know.) I also heard that a baby born to a smoker, has a 40% higher chance of SIDS. I couldnt imagine, giving birth and bonding with my baby for months, and waking up to find her passed away. That really helped me quit too.
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November 13th, 2007 at 7:23 pm
befor i got pregnant with my first child I smoke a lot and tried to quit a bunch of times. it never worked because of the people i hung around or the fact that i was in the bar sometimes. After i found out I was pregnant I slowed down and quit two weeks later. I just knew that I had to quit because I didnt' want to be responsible for hurting my baby. I haven't smoked a day since and she is turning two next month.
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November 13th, 2007 at 7:24 pm
For the next 12 weeks or so it could make your child so much healthier. I smoked, but when I found out I was pregnant I quit everything. It was only for 9 months, and if you love that baby you want it to be so healthy. Do it for the baby. You can do it! Good luck!
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November 13th, 2007 at 7:24 pm
What kind of ANSWER do you expect, if you have tried everything……..Try "PRAYER"….SERIOUSLY, for your childs sake…………………….
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November 13th, 2007 at 7:24 pm
Patches and the gum may be even more dangerous than actual smoking. What you should do is go on a camping trip away from the civilization (like mountains) but don't take any cigarettes. You will be forced to quit because there are no temptations.
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November 13th, 2007 at 7:24 pm
Focus on this, if your child is born with asthma (I was) or some other health problem(s) you'll have to live with the fact that your smoking probably caused it. So whenever you want to light up just think of your kid not being able to play sports in school because he/she has horrible asthma, bad lungs, or any other host of health problems. You just need to remember that as hard as it is for you to quit, it will be far worse for your child if you don't.
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November 13th, 2007 at 7:24 pm
i know its hard but think about what you are doing to your baby. you cant just quit overnight. but you can make your kid deformed or mental..
when you crave a cigg, drink a lot of water, or play a time consuming game to get if off your head
if thats too hard then when you have a bad craving, put a timer on for 10 minutes and dont go near a cigg until its up.. every day add 5 minutes to that..
or just quit buying ciggs. if they arent there you cant smoke them. i know your going crazy but think about your kid. you dont want him/her to pay for your mistake. you want them to have a happy and HEALTHY life. please try.. give it the chance it needs. its your responsibility.
if my suggestions dont work.. GOOGLE ways to stop =]
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November 13th, 2007 at 7:24 pm
JUST TRY TO STOP GO SOMEWHERE YOU CAN NOT BUY THEM
JUST TO TELL YOU IF YOU SMOKE WHILE YOUR PREGNANT YOUR BABY MAY HAVE A DISORDER MAYBE DEAF SOMETHING LIKE THAT
ALSO THINK OF IT THIS WAY YOUR MAKING THE BABY SUFFER DO YOU WANT TO DO THAT
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November 13th, 2007 at 7:25 pm
When I found out I was pregnant, I couldn't even think of smoking. That was it for me. However, I know that it was hard on me as well..I just found the willpower to do so. It isn't easy. I wish that I could suggest something better than this, but my main suggestion is to just try and think about the baby when you go to light up. There is only approx. 13 weeks left and I hope you gain the willpower. As much as I don't condone it and people are just going to give me a bunch of thumbs down, I don't care…You may just want to cut down as much as you can instead of full on quitting since that is proving as a problem for you. Hope you get it figured out. These couple of weeks will go by faster than you think.
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November 13th, 2007 at 7:25 pm
My wife has had the same problem, try to quit, if you can't at least just take a few short drags and put it out.
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November 13th, 2007 at 7:26 pm
I'm not going to tell you that it's okay for you to be smoking, because you and I both know you are harming your baby. However, I smoked during my pregnancy with my daughter. Not only did I smoke, but I worked in a VERY smoke filled bar as a waitress until I was 36 weeks pregnant. I probably only smoked 5 cigarettes a day, but working in the bar 4 nights a week probably made up for that. She was born 7lbs and is perfectly healthy. My other children were 9 pounders (but the 3 of them are boys) so I can't say whether it's the boy/girl factor that made her weigh less, or the smoking factor. I'm sorry for your dilemma. I don't smoke now, so there is hope for you. It's hard to quit. Good luck to you.
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November 13th, 2007 at 7:27 pm
I'm 57. My mother smoked a pack of cigarettes a day while she was pregnant with me, my 2 brothers and my sister AND had an occasional drink.
I have a masters degree in business and have been retired for 5 years with a substantial income and 3 (grown) kids.
My oldest brother is the VP of a major pump manufacturing co in the east, and has his BA in Business. My older brother is a sales manager for a foreign electronics company and has a BA in Sales, and my younger sister has 2 Bachelor degrees and owns a landscaping business.
I included this so you can see that smoking doesn't kill every fetus and make your unborn baby stupid.
It's best if you don't smoke. It's better if y ou don't increase the amount you smoke, and on and on.
Try to quit, but even if you can't make sure you do all of the prenatal stuff to improve your chances of a healthy baby.
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son of a smoker
November 13th, 2007 at 7:27 pm
the only thing i can think of, is just think about your baby. i'm not trying to insult you, but i'm not sure if it was because i was smoking, or because i couldn't eat, but my daughter was only 5 lbs. 6 oz. when she was born. you have no idea how guilty i felt. especially when my step-dad told me to my face that if i hadn't smoked, my daughter wouldn't have been so small. she was healthy, although the hospital almost kept her longer because she couldn't keep her tempurature up. i don't care how hard it is, i will not put my next baby(s) through that if i ever get pregnant again. lots of women have had very healthy babies even though they smoked, but i wouldn't risk it. good luck, and i know it's hard, but i really hope you find something that works.
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November 13th, 2007 at 7:27 pm
Just think about your child. You are going to be a great mother, if you can overcome this then you can over come anything. Pray ask God for the strength, all else has failed and you are putting your child at risk. I'm not going to bore you with all the consequences of smoking whilst being pregnant you obviously know. Protect your child!
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November 13th, 2007 at 7:28 pm
ask your mate to help you go cold turkey or abort. i feel sorry for you…
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November 13th, 2007 at 7:28 pm
Every time you pick up a cigarrette you are making a choice and risking your baby. Make a choice as to what is more important.
Quitting tips:
Get rid of ALL smoking reminders, all ashtrays, take out trash, etc.
Buy a pack of straws and cut them in half, suck on one every time you get a craving.
Chew strongly flavored citris gum.
Eat lots of things that have a lot of hand-to-mouth motion, like grapes and popcorn.
Make a list of why smoking is bad and post it where you can see it often.
Drink lots of water, which you should anyway.
It takes 21 days to break a habit and the first 10 are the hardest, but you can do it.
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former smoker of 14 year, quit cold turkey 10 yrs ago.
November 13th, 2007 at 7:28 pm
It takes a while for nicotine to leave the body as it's a drug. Cut down on cigarettes, a little at a time. Your ob/gyn could be helpful in that respect, even though you do mention a midwife. I have heard that cutting way down is best if you can't quit altogether. You don't need to go into withdrawal since you're pregnant. Try to limit yourself to just five cigarettes a day when all is said & done. It's better than 10-20. I hope once your baby comes, you will refrain from smoking in the house, as second hand smoke is not good for anyone, especially your new baby.
P.S. Check into "smoking cessation" classes on your own. Your baby will thank you.
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November 13th, 2007 at 7:28 pm
I used to smoke but the day I found out I was pregnant I stopped. I used to smoke a pack a day! So believe me if I can do it you can do it too!!! It's all in your head you have to want to quit. You have to say to yourself "I really want this cigarette but is it worth putting my baby through this?" Remember your baby doesn't have the choice so whatever you put into your body your baby has to deal with. It's all comes down to choices. YOU have to make the right choice the choice to put down the cigarettes and do what's right for your Baby!!!! Good Luck girl I know you can do it!!!!!!
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November 13th, 2007 at 7:28 pm
go look onto webmd.com and put that into the general search see all the harm u are/can/and will cause the baby….mental will power…and knowing how screwed up ur baby will be if it continues…maybe that will be good motivation….if anything …too bad and suffer….just dont buy any packs…chew gum everytime u think abt it…………dont buy any packs and make urself suffer
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November 13th, 2007 at 7:28 pm
Ok don't wait on the midwife to refer you – be proactive and do it go to a resource yourself. I can tell you as a baby nurse this is hard on your system and the babies as well. You know that already otherwise you wouldn't ask. Smoking in general constricts you blood vessels and probably the MOST addictive drug you can be on. GO TO A DOCTOR. They will soooo help you. This is your baby we are talking about.
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November 13th, 2007 at 7:28 pm
If I were you I would try as hard as I could to stop smoking. Even though it may be hard for you, think about your child. You know as well you want yourself to have a healthy baby. Other things can happen to your baby while you are smoking while pregnant, your child can develop Cleft Lip. I hope things work out. Good luck.
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http://www.schneiderchildrenshospital.org/…/cleft.htm
http://www.cnn.com/HEALTH/library/DS/00738.html
November 13th, 2007 at 7:29 pm
okay to actually be helpful, it is obvious that you know smoking is bad other wise you would not be trying to quit. most states have a stop smoking hot line that can help you find classes and support groups that will give you that extra boost of will power, this hotline is usually found in the front of the yellow pages with all the other government numbers, you can also try contacting your local health department for a class
trying to quit is hard and being pregnant and hormonal does not help, do the best you can and i wish you luck, i will keep you in my prayers!
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November 13th, 2007 at 7:29 pm
Smoking while pregnant isn't as bad as anti-smoking groups make it out to be. Just don't smoke heavily. Try to cut down just in case. I believe moderation is the key with almost everything. If you smoke, it doesn't necessarily mean your child will become a smoker. The low birth weight is just a myth too. My mother smoked with my brother, sister and I. We were all average weights. I also had no breathing problems, and still don't. I was exactly 8 pounds when I was born. Just don't drink while you're pregnant, or do hard drugs like cocaine or heroin!
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November 13th, 2007 at 7:30 pm
I'd consult your doctor about this. This can cause your child extreme deformities. My older sister had her first child while smoking. She was a few days late, and weighed only 4 pounds, seven ounces. The child barely eats enough, and even though she is healthy, her physical appearance is lanky, bony, and she bruises extremely easily. She is four years old and wears two year old clothing. Many other horrible things can occur, such as mental retardation and possibly can increase your child's chance of some kind of cancer and second hand smoke at a very early age. I strongly advise you to go see a doctor. For both you and your baby's sake. I wish you the best of luck.
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Family occurrence one too many times dealing with this situation.
November 13th, 2007 at 7:30 pm
This is a tough problem! I too was at that same cross road many years ago, when I heard the heart beat I threw them in the trash, it was only through visible thoughts I could see the baby with a smoke in it's mouth, I knew I had to be stronger than the crave for the baby. If you can't quit, cut back as much as you can, it's just not good for you and worse for the little one, but no one needs to tell you how hard it is to quit, we have all been there, and done that. Good luck sweety, you'll make it…you are a lot stronger than you think!
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November 13th, 2007 at 7:30 pm
One thing I've learned is that anyone can quit smoking. You just stop. Don't buy the cigarettes. Sure, you'll be a witch for a couple of weeks, but that's expected when you're pregnant anyhow. You'll go through cravings, withdrawal, but it's only an imposition for 10-14 days. Just think this way…your making your baby suffer because you don't want to put up with the symptoms that come along with quitting. Not trying to be mean…but I smoke, and I've been pregnant twice, and both times I just stopped…it's not a fun thing, but it's something you have to do…and yes there are crappy consequences…but you'll survive, and it'll give your baby a better chance of surviving also.
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November 13th, 2007 at 7:31 pm
Can you maybe try baby steps. you know like cut back a little a day. I would also have a friend or family help wash your walls and ferbreeze your couches and stuff. This is what one friend did, i washed her walls and you would not believe all the smoke we got off. anyway she said it helped with the smell, so she wasn't constantly smelling it. Or you could maybe put your cigarettes in a place where it's hard to get them. Or is there a support group in your area? I commend you for trying and don't forget you have support from people that want the best for you.
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November 13th, 2007 at 7:31 pm
As an exsmoker people don't realize how difficult it is.
Do your best to quit; if you can't NO BIG DEAL; at least smoke less; make a deal with yourself to smoke 3 , 4 maybe 5 a day.
Studies report babies of smokers weigh less than non smokers. This is the only irrefutable fact. (many more are suspect only none proven 100%).
So stop stressing yourself with this quitting , you have enough with the pregnancy.
Just try.
Best sincere wishes and luck.
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November 13th, 2007 at 7:32 pm
Demand your midwife to do something about it, surely she must see that you've tried you damned hardest to give up (after all if you weren't serious about giving up, you wouldn't have tried patches etc or even posted this question). If she doesn't get a move on , could you perhaps ask for another one?
I can't really offer any more help, but good luck with it all anyway!
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November 13th, 2007 at 7:32 pm
Smoking can harm the baby of course but it is not the end of the world. millions of baby's are born healthy to smokers each year. I quit in '96 and it was hard. You have 9 weeks left it's a little late to stress to the point of hurting the baby now. I used the patch that lasts 24 hours. There is the gum also but those things put nico into the system.
See I don't buy all this second hand smoke stuff. Our air is lousy in a lot of places and that causes problems but it seems every case of emphysema, lung cancer, asthma, and each third case of the clap is caused by smoking anymore. BS.
They told us every thing we eat is bad for us to. Screw 'em.
Try to keep it to a minimum and after the baby is born smoke outside but c'mon!
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November 13th, 2007 at 7:32 pm
When i was pregnant i know i got all the looks and the stories but all it took was will power! trust me u can do it never mind all those things.
A woman's mind will conquer all !!!
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November 13th, 2007 at 7:34 pm
I smoked before I became pregnant. My doctor was aware of my smoking habits, but after three months (and me being honest about the fact that I hadn't stopped…cut back, but hadn't stopped) he drew the line.
I know that it is TOUGH…I've been there. It's probably one of the hardest things you will EVER do…but, you HAVE to quit….at least long until you have your baby.
Think about this…….even if you are very healthy, and even if there were no health problems in your family….you don't want your baby to start life with a disadvantage….I know, guilt trip…but it's not about you, it's about the baby, so you have to think like that.
If you think about how every thought you have, every morsel you put into your body, and every movement you make may affect your child? You'll see that you have to give up some of what you MAY want, for what's best for your baby. I know, it sounds heavy….but if you spend your time thinking like that, you will give up some of your "bad" habits, long enough to make it through your pregnancy. And it can happen. I did it……I stopped smoking at three months, and was good for a few weeks after delivery, until I went "out" for the first time in a long time about three months after I delivered…….
There's no magic cure, no magic advice. You just have to STOP smoking…..and, everytime you do light up? Your baby is lighting up too…..THAT will make you quit in a hurry. I'm not saying that to judge or chastise…but from personal experience (smile).
Make EVERY attempt to stop smoking now…..it will be better for you and the baby, and who knows….you may quit all together when it's all over.
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November 13th, 2007 at 7:36 pm
I was also a smoker when I became pregnant with my first baby. It wasn't easy but I quit cold turkey as soon as I found out I was pregnant for the sake of my baby. We didn't have acupuncture, nicotine patches or nicotine gum back then (1963). I think I would be just as afraid of the patches and gum as well as cigarettes since it enters your blood stream. I did do one thing, and that was every time I had a nicotine craving, I ate a lot of carrots, celery and pigged out on salads. For some reason the crunchy food seemed to help the craving pass. I have heard of some people sucking on hard candy to help with their craving. I never went back to smoking after my baby was born. It was well worth the effort to quit for the sake of my very healthy baby and for myself and my health as well. Good luck. You will need a lot of will power and support from your family and friends. Just thinking of your healthy little baby will help more than you know.
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November 13th, 2007 at 7:37 pm
I smoked preg with 3 out of my 6 pregnancies. All of my 6 kids are healthy and fine. I did feel bad smoking but I couldnt quit and smoked a pack a day. Stressing will make you smoke more. Just smoke less or smoke lights or ultra lights.
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November 13th, 2007 at 7:38 pm
Smoking while pregnant puts both mother's and baby's life at risk & the sooner a mother quits smoking, the better it will be for both her and her baby. Did you know that cigarette smoke contains more than 2,500 chemicals, with nicotine, tar, and carbon monoxide thought to be the most dangerous to the fetus. Quitting during the first trimester can greatly reduce the risk of having a baby with low birth weight — almost to that of a woman who doesn't smoke. The fewer cigarettes a woman smokes, the less likely her baby will be born with smoking-related problems. Cigarette smoking also doubles a woman's risk of developing placental complications (which occur in about 1 percent of pregnancies). These include placenta previa, a condition in which the placenta is attached too low in the uterus and covers part or all of the cervix; and placental abruption, in which the placenta separates from the uterine wall before delivery. Both can result in a delivery that jeopardizes the life of mother and baby. Smoking during pregnancy also increases the risk of stillbirth, miscarriage, and severe vaginal bleeding. Smoking during pregnancy, which can seriously slow fetal growth, nearly doubles a woman's risk of having a baby with low birth weight. Studies by the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) also suggest that smoking increases the risk of preterm delivery (before 37 weeks of gestation) by about 30 percent. It also increases the likelihood of certain birth defects, including a cleft lip and/or cleft palate (an opening in the roof of the mouth or the soft tissue in the back of the mouth). Babies who weigh less than 5 1/2 pounds at birth face an increased risk of serious health problems during the newborn period, chronic disabilities (such as cerebral palsy, mental retardation, and learning problems), and even death. And last but not least, babies of mothers who smoke are twice as likely to die from sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS) as babies of nonsmokers. Children who are exposed to cigarette smoke before birth also may be at increased risk of lasting problems, including asthma, learning disabilities, and behavioral problems. For future note, Babies who are exposed to cigarette smoke after birth face an increased risk of SIDS. They also suffer from more respiratory illnesses, ear infections, and tonsillitis than other babies. According to the AAP, an estimated 1.67 million physician visits each year in the United States are to treat coughing due to involuntary smoking. Infants whose mothers smoke are 38 percent more likely to be hospitalized for pneumonia during their first year of life than babies of nonsmoking mothers. Smoking in the home during the first few years of a child's life also increases his risk of developing asthma. Continual smoking can lead to more frequent and severe asthma attacks in children who already have the disease. Are you planning on nursing your baby? If so, nursing mothers who smoke more than 20 cigarettes a day will likely pass along harmful chemicals from cigarettes to their babies in breast milk. Heavy smoking can reduce a mother's milk supply, and on rare occasions has caused symptoms in the breastfeeding baby such as nausea, vomiting, abdominal cramps, and diarrhea. You really need to see a doctor — don't wait on a midwife to direct you in this matter. Only a doctor can get you on the proper smoking cessation plan that would keep both you and your baby healthy and alive!!!!
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Sources: March of Dimes; American Academy of Pediatrics; American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists; U.S. Public Health Service; La Leche League
November 13th, 2007 at 7:39 pm
My ex sister-in-law was told by her doctor that she could smoke 5 a day.
She definitely smoked them. She now has a healthy little girl. She's 6 and has had no abnormal illnesses.
Maybe you should try to do that. At least cut it back.
Stay busy. You can't smoke if you're in the middle of something.
Good luck
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