Comments on: Smoking whilst pregnant?

By: Alicia Fish

Alicia Fish — Wed, 14 Nov 2007 00:39:38 +0000

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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By: Jacqueline C

Jacqueline C — Wed, 14 Nov 2007 00:38:30 +0000

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 â€” 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!!!!
References :
Sources: March of Dimes; American Academy of Pediatrics; American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists; U.S. Public Health Service; La Leche League

By: OnThisPage

OnThisPage — Wed, 14 Nov 2007 00:37:13 +0000

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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By: luminosa

luminosa — Wed, 14 Nov 2007 00:36:02 +0000

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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By: brewctred

brewctred — Wed, 14 Nov 2007 00:34:03 +0000

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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By: mistletoe_kisses

mistletoe_kisses — Wed, 14 Nov 2007 00:32:48 +0000

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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By: monkeydick

monkeydick — Wed, 14 Nov 2007 00:32:37 +0000

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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By: angel_of_thought

angel_of_thought — Wed, 14 Nov 2007 00:32:01 +0000

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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By: alpla

alpla — Wed, 14 Nov 2007 00:31:56 +0000

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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By: a healing adoptee

a healing adoptee — Wed, 14 Nov 2007 00:31:28 +0000

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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