Hey ladies...

[MomNpain]

How is everyone doing today? I woke up in a funky mood. I'm sort of depressed...I feel like I'm not doing as much as I could to ensure that I have a healthy pregnancy and that my baby is okay. I only had my HCG levels tested once, and when I did they gave me a EDD of July 4th. That was on the 3rd. I go for an ultrasound tomorrow but I'm just so scared that something is going to be wrong. I want nothing more than for my baby to be healthy and *stick*!!!

Does anyone else smoke?? I tried to quit in the beginning and was doing sooooo good. I went from smoking 10 a day to smoking 2 a day, then back up to 5, then 6, and now I'm back up to about 8 a day. I hate smoking. Not trying to make excuses but I live in a house with 2 guys that smoke around me all the time - one of them being DH, the other being my bum brother. I feel like they have no consideration for me or the baby because I've asked them not to, and they just don't listen. When they weren't smoking around me, I was doing so so good. I'm so disappointed in myself. What I would give to get back down to and stay at 1 or 2 a day. Anyone have any suggestions?? By the way, if I were to leave the room every time one of them smoked, I'd never be on here. They both chain smoke and I swear if one of them isn't smoking, it's the other. I just really want to stop smoking and start eating healthier. That isn't an easy feat either because of my brother - he eats EVERYTHING in sight and then doesn't help with groceries. I've been limited to eggs, toast and a turkey sub for the  past 2 days now. I take my prenatals every night, and I know they help, but I just can't help but to feel that I, as my baby's mother - could be doing something more.

[4boys1girl]

Wow...I cant believe the disrespect of some people especially when someone is reaching out for help.  I am pregnant with my 5 baby and have been a smoker since I was16...I smoked for about 15 years.  I "quit" when I became pregnant each time but would break down and smoke every once in a while.  My husband smoke too and it make it very hard to stop.  He was my smoking buddy.  Once we had our first son we decided to only smoke outside and NEVER I mean we NEVER smoked in the house.  The second time I became pregnant I had an easier time quiting..still hard!!  I think it really did help that I was in a routine of not smoking in the house and it helped that I could avoid going outside for a smoke.  Every time I would give birth and was done breastfeeding I started right back up.  This was extremely disappointing!!!   I gave myself too much credit that I would be able to smoke just a few a day. Well every smoker knows that I was kidding myself and was back to a full time smoker in no time.  I finally got disgusted with the fact that something had control over me.  I was at the mercy of a pack of smokes.  I was not pregnant and decided that I was done letting something be so controling over me.  I decided to quit and I will tell you it was the hardest thing I have every done in my life!!  I was doing it for nobody else this time....it was easier when I was preg. because I could be guilted with the fact of the baby inside being affected by the nicotine.  I decided I did not want my children to care for me when I was dieing of cancer.  I did not want to put them down that road.  This was the thought that got me through it.  This is going to sound like a crock of s*** but I read somewhere to drink alot of water when the cravings got uncontrollable. Water was the only vice I used.   I never used the patch or the gum or lousenges because I thought those would just put a band-aid on the situation and prolong the withdrawls.  I successfully quit after about two weeks.  I would slip and break down and have a smoke.  I would not beat myself up about it but I would figuer I needed to get back on the wagon and eventually I stopped falling off.  It was about 1 year before I felt I was really in control agien over smoking.  I still go through periods when I really would like a cig.  I notice that if I am aound cig. smoke I will crave a smoke for about 2 days.  I think my body gets a refresher on the additction to nicotine.  (I konw that sounds weird too)  I hope this helps in some way.  You can do it!!  You just need to want it bad enough.  Try cutting back as much as you can and work at it every day until you finally do it.  I imagine you have somked for a while so give yourself some credit and be realistic that it might not be something you can walk away from over night.  

As for the other ladies that were so harsh....try not to look down on someone unless youre looking down to help them up.

Take care..... good Luck....Merry Christmas!
Kris

[Want2BeMama]

JUST QUIT DONT DRAG IT ..MY COUSIN SMOKED WHEN SHE WAS PREGNANT WITH HER BABY ..LATER ON HE DEVELOPED PROBLEMS BECAUSE OF IT...JUST BE STRONG AND DO IT FOR YOU BABY HAVE SOME WILL POWER YOU CAN DO IT!!

[MomNpain]

You're not even welcome here.  You're not worth my time and for your information, my child is just fine.


Now for the rest of you ladies that actually care and aren't spineless, cold-hearted *****, I just wanted to let you know that I had 4 yesterday...my goal is 3 today! Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays to all!

[melimeli]

maybe you should have thought twice before getting pg and resolved your problems prior... nothing like putting an innocent child at risk... oh your offended who cares... you child's health is being harmed you being offended is nothing compared to that... got you feelings hurt?  think about your babies life you selfish brat!!!  you are obviously not ready to be a mom nor know what sacrifice for your child means...  you went down to 4 and then back up to 8???  give me a break you poor child is hurting and you don't even care enough to have some will power... grow up!!!

[Shell24]

I quit with the patch after smoking a pack and a half a day. It was a life saver (literally) I can't tell you how much better I feel..no headaches, bad breath, coughing, chest pain...good luck and be strong...you can do it!!!! I've been without cigarettes for 3 years. I started when I was 14.

[MomNpain]

Thanks sweetie for your support and concern. I talked to the both of them tonight and actually proved to them that I WOULD leave if they didn't start treating me with w little more respect and consideration from now on. Hell, my brother even ended up doing the dishes!

I haven't tried any of the gums or patches but I am seriously considering trying the lozenges. I'll be asking my doctor in the morning if they're safe. I do try to chew regular gum, though. It seems to help until all of the flavor is gone. lol

I have many, many reasons for being depressed. I hardly ever get depressed, but when I do, I stay in a funk for weeks. I'm starting to feel a lot better. Hopefully everything will change in the morning - I have my first ultrasound.

By the way, my OB wanted to send me to a counselor for my anxiety, but at the time, I felt it would be better if I worked things out on my own (I was having anxiety about becoming a mother) and I'm so glad that I did. My anxiety is pretty much gone and I couldn't be happier with the decision I chose.

Thanks again. I'll be back on in the morning to post U/S pics and tell everyone how it went! Good night, ladies!

[njeosys]

It's hard to quit anything if you don't have support. Is there someone you can stay with for a while until your husband and bro get a clue. I don't mean that disrespectfully. I literally mean that if you leave, maybe they'll realize just how serious you are. Maybe stay with a friend or parent for a few weeks until you're strong enough to not smoke?

Have you tried the gum or patch?

Being depressed could be because of hormones, too. It is very common to feel down. Maybe you could speak with your doctor about that as well. I'm sorry you're feeling so down!!! I just want to hug you. You're so young and you seem to want to do it right. I really hope everything works out.

[MomNpain]

Meli, did you not read where I stated that my GP (General Practitioner) and OB told me not to quit cold turkey?? You don't have to be a doctor to know this! Thanks Adawning and everyone else.

[loismwallace]

I wish you the best of luck! Sorry for all the static you got here.....

[melimeli]

are you a dr???  how do you know what is best.. why not ask a dr instead....  

uh ohhh why did I stop drinking pepsi... now my baby is going through withdrawals... give me a break!!!  

[adawning4]

I personally dont smoke but I also know that quitting cold turkey is not whats best. Yes quitting is by no doubt. But just stopping something from getting through your body is not healthy for the baby... They dont make a baby addicted to heroin quit cold turkey. They wing the baby off right or wrong. And no one should attack anyone for asking for advice or help... Not only is it rude but its not fair or even justified.

MomNpain best of luck to you and your situation. I really hope you can get your brother and husband to staighten up and think about the baby. Best wishes to you

[MomNpain]

Well gee, thanks for making me feel soooo much better! Had I known that I would have been attacked, I wouldn't have posted it. Actually, BOTH of my doctors (My GP and my OB) told me NOT to quit cold turkey. Sorry, but I'm going to trust my doctors over some forum on the internet ANY day.

Meli, that was so ******* rude of you. Yes, I'm getting an attitude and I'm being a ***** because had you read my post, it says that I'm a little depressed today. You didn't care - you went ahead and attacked me like you had some right to. **** off. I'm TRYING to do better for my baby. You made it sound like I'm not doing ****.

As for the rest of you who wanted to side with Meli instead of answering my question or showing me the least bit of support - you don't know me. You don't know what's going on in my life that has me depressed. You don't know what's going on in my life that has me stressed. For your information - I have been on vicodin and percocet for 6+ years for chronic pain. The MOMENT I found out for sure, I went from taking up to 10 a day to taking a HALF a day. You have NO idea how hard that was, you have NO idea what I went through, how many sleepless nights shaking and getting sick I had. Being dependent on that particular type of pain killer can be compared to being addicted to heroine, and I quit taking them for my child's sake. There's days where it's a miracle I can even get out of bed because I'm in so much pain. Now - you tell me that my "excuses" are ********. Try going through what the hell I've been through. Most women in my situation wouldn't have even TRIED to quit both, let alone at the same time - but I did and yet I get criticized for it.

Let me make one thing clear - had I wanted someone to tell me how wrong I am for TRYING to quit smoking - had I wanted someone to jump my *** the way it has been, I would have gone elsewhere. I asked for support - for help. Why? Because in the months that I have been on this forum I have NEVER seen anyone be so rude to someone. The women on this forum have been nothing but nice and helpful to me. I asked for help because what's best for my child IS in mind. If it weren't, I wouldn't be trying to quit - I wouldn't have quit taking those pills, I wouldn't have asked for help.

I suggest from now on before opening your mouth to jump someone's ***, you know entirely what you're talking about that way this doesn't happen again.

[loismwallace]

Talk to your doctor..I know my Dr offers support for pregnant women that want to quit. I'm not sure how it works, I've just seen the pamplets and flyers in his office.

[loismwallace]

Talk to your doctor..I know my Dr offers support for pregnant women that want to quit. I'm not sure how it works, I've just seen the pamplets and flyers in his office.

[loismwallace]

Talk to your doctor..I know my Dr offers support for pregnant women that want to quit. I'm not sure how it works, I've just seen the pamplets and flyers in his office.

[Shannon125]

I am so glad that you finally said exactly what I have been wanting to say to these smokers for a long time. Good to know someone has the sense to relay accurate information to these girls. To everyone else that smokes, forgive me for sounding harsh, but I don't see how anyone could continue smoking after they found out they were pregnant. That's like saying it's okay to drink alcohol or smoke pot. It's not okay and I think the whole "I'm not strong enough" excuse is ****. If you're not strong enough now when carrying your child to put your child's needs first and foremost than how the hell do you expect to be strong enough to raise the child and all of the responsibility and sometimes hardships that goes along with it. I am 11 weeks pregnant and haven't even had a Coke since I found out. I have plenty of friends who were heavy smokers and as soon as they found out, they put them down and quit immediately. It shouldn't even be a question. You're pregnant, why would you do anything to jeopardize the health of your baby and cause long term affects that you may not even realize down the road. If you ask me, I say it's selfish. Either way, melimeli thanks for saying what I have wanted to say. I agree with you wholeheartedly. To all the smokers, I hope you are able to put them down immediately. Good Luck.

[melimeli]

Great!!!

[melimeli]

http://www.chem-tox.com/pregnancy/smoking.htm

look at all the effects of smoking that aren't apparent at birth... all the damage that shows up later when your kids arein school

[adawning4]

Maybe you could give him a guilt plea. I dont remember the site but there's one that show's the harmful affects of smoking and specially second hand smoking to the baby in utero and out. Make them go out side or limit there smoking to a bedroom where you dont need to go. I think you should put your foot down with your brother. As your brother he should respect you more than to eat all your food and not buy anymore. Thats just wrong on his part. Right now while your pregnant is the time that everyone including you should make your environment healthy and safe. Also its the best time to snap and tell them WHAT they are going to do from this day forward. Crying always worked with my husband.... You need to make your voice heard for your babies sake..... I really hope that you get them to smoke somewhere else and buy some food!
Best of luck to you and please for your baby MAKE them do what they NEED to do for your baby!!

[waitn838]

thank you soooo much for that....

im quitting today =)

[melimeli]

I'm pregnant. Can quitting smoking cold turkey hurt me or my baby?

Expert Answers

Sharon Cummins, psychologist
Not only is quitting cold turkey safe, it's one of the best things you can do for yourself and your baby while you're pregnant. As soon as you give up your cigarettes, your baby will start getting more oxygen, and the risk of miscarriage, premature birth, and other complications will drop.

Quitting cold turkey can be difficult, especially if you're a heavy smoker. As your body adjusts to life without nicotine, you'll probably feel restless and irritable. The good news is that your baby won't share in the misery. There's no evidence that babies go through nicotine withdrawal, and they certainly won't miss a daily dose of tar and carbon monoxide. Besides, your withdrawal symptoms will fade in two or three weeks, and then you can finally stop thinking about cigarettes and start thinking about getting the baby's room ready.

For most women, the only risk to the cold-turkey approach is that it might not work. (Heavy smokers at high risk for seizures are the exception. For them, quitting abruptly could potentially cause a seizure.) If you're smoking a couple of packs a day, you may need to take a more gradual approach to quitting. Cut down to a pack a day, then to a half of a pack. The ultimate goal, of course, is to get to zero — and the sooner the better. If you still can't fight those cravings, ask your doctor for help. Quitting may be hard, but a healthy pregnancy is worth the effort.

[melimeli]

a miscarriage from quitting have you googled that?

[catlady171]

i understand, my babys dad smoked with both my pregnancies, and he wouldnt quit which made it so hard for me to quit. actually, i never did quit. both my babies where perfectly healthy and still are but even still i feel a guilty for doing that to them. and looking back on it, if i could re-do it, i would have quit. maybe ask them to at least go outside to smoke.

[waitn838]

i smoked about 3/4 pack a day before i found out...as soon as i thought something was going i cut back to about 5-7 a day...now im at 4 and each of them is a couple drags and im done

im scared to quit for fear of putting the baby through wihtdraw and causing a miscarriage but im ready to kick the habit

with my first preg i quit at 4 months and had a very healthy boy (but i did cut back the amount)