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620721 tn?1227194109

Pregnant and can't quit smoking!!!

Hi, I'm currently 24 weeks pregnant with my third child and am having a hard time quitting smiking.  I have cut down to 3 or 4 a day but I am still so upset that I can't quit completely.  Anyone else in the same boat?  
117 Responses
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7144455 tn?1388491381
She could use your support right now more than ever. I am currently 13 weeks pregnant and I have the same problem. I don't want to smoke and every time I light up or someone else does it smells horrid to me but I still can't seem to not light one up. We have a 3 yr old daughter that unfortunately I smoked the whole time I was pregnant with her and ate prescription pills but she came out healthy as a whistle at a month early. Thankfully I don't take the pills anymore but not smoking is so hard. My husband smokes also and he doesn't smoke around me because I've been trying to quit with everything that I am. I'm looking into Wellbutrin as an aid to help me quit but haven't talked to my Dr yet. Please don't leave her right now as this is a very vulnerable time. With a little bit of conversation and support you may be able to help her quit more than you think. I understand where you are coming from but before you make any brash decisions go with her to a DR's appt and see how the baby is doing.  They can track the babies growth with ultrasound. Smoking releases a chemical that makes some people very addicted to them. So bad my mother-in-law has the beginning stages of lung cancer and still can't quit. I hope this gives you a little insight because I think leaving her is the wrong thing to do based soley on just smoking. I understand you're hurt, angry and concerned but your support and help on the topic could go a long way. Best of luck to you both!!
Helpful - 1
Avatar universal
MY WIFE GOT PREGNANT BY HER PAST BOYFRIEND WHILE SHE WAS IN A MENTANTAL GROUP HOME. HE BAILED WHEN HE FOUND OUT SHE WAS PREGNANT. AT THIS TIME WE BOTH WERE THERE. SHE DID NOT LIKE ME TO WELL AND I DIDN'T GET ALONG WITH HER AT THAT TIME. AT ABOUT HER THIRD MONTH OF PREGNANCY SHE SLIPPED A NOTE UNDER MY DOOR SAYING  I WAS CUTE AND I TOLD HER I THOUGHT SHE WAS BEAUTIFUL ALSO. I ASKED HER THAT DAY TO MCDONALD'S FOR A DRINK THAT DAY. ON THE WAY WE TALKED ABOUT THE BABY, HER SMOKING, AND THEN I MADE A COMMENT THAT SHE SAID SOUNDED LIKE A PROPOSAL. I  THEN PROPOSED AT MCDONALD'S, 1 WEEK  LATER WE GOT MARRIED, AND THEN I MADE MY WIFE QUITE SMOKING COLD TURKEY. THIS WAS IN SEPTEMBER 1995 AND THEN BABY A. WAS BORN IN EARLY PREMATURE 3 MONTHS WITH HERMANGINOMAS ON THE LUNGS, THE BACK , AND ONE OVER THE EYE. SHE REMAINED IN THE NICU FOR MONTHS. SHE IS NOW GOING ON 19 AND HER SIZE (HEIGHT AND WEIGHT) IS WITHIN EVERYONE HER AGE. SHE HAS NO MENTAL PROBLEMS EITHER. FOR THIS REASON I BELIEVE THAT IF YOU GET PREGNANT /OR ARE THINKING ABOUT IT YOU SHOULD GIVE UP THE CIGARETTES AS EARLY AS POSSIBLE. THE DOCTORS COULDN'T BE DEFINITE THAT EARLIER SMOKING IS WHAT CAUSED THE HERMANGINOMAS OR THE PREMATURE PREGNANCY WHICH RESULTED IN AN EMERGENCY C-SECTION BEING DONE.
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
what happens if the baby goes in to shock? can it kill it? im only 17 and really nervous lol so im kinda studying
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Avatar universal
I'm in a relationship with a woman that smokes. We are now 2 maybe 3 weeks pregnant. It kills me inside to see her harm the baby when she smokes. I love the woman, but I don't think I can be a part of this. I love her very much, but she's causing so much harm to our baby. :(
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
i  m pregnant with my 2nd nd i cnt seem to quit bt i hv cut down and i m 30 weeks i m so worrid bt dnt knw hw to stop plz help i want to bt then its hard to di so
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
I'm 14weeks and its hard for like almost off and on 3 of my months I smoked cigarttes and then quit like a month now I smoke like a jail house of a cig we are bad moms to smoke I personally understand all of this my 3rd and I m scaried I hope quit and you all to something u moms to be could try k candy alots of gummie chewy favorful candy good for morning sickness and peaches something with lots of fuit and juice helps me something or to be honest gum good luck moms be safe then these are our lil ones
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
My doctor recomended that I try an electronic cig because you are not inhaling smoke what you get it water vapor with nicotine. Compared to all the harmful chemicals in ciggerette smoke nicotine is nothing. This makes me less guilty about smoking and I can usually only use the electronic ciggerette. Hope this helps.
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
Kind of scared I quit cold Turkey @4 wks.
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
I am 8 weeks and I've been trying to quit for about a week. It's really hard bc I was a pack a day smoker and I am constantly stressed out by my job, husband etc and the only thing that ever calms me down is to light one up lol although I HAVE FOUND ONE THING  that has helped me and I hope it helps you guys as well. Change brands. Get a brand that is completely disgusting. I smoke menthol ciggs Newports a pack a day and I switched to pall mall menthol now I can stretch a pack for 3 days and 'm decreasing evryday!
That particular brand makes my mouth water and it fees like i'm going to gag and I don't breath through my nose bc I wouldn't be able to smoke em at all if i did. Usually I won't even finish a whole cig I just take a few puffs until i feel satisfied and then short it bc thy're so nasty lol Well I really hope this helps you guys. GOOD LUCK!
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
I am 8 weeks and I've been trying to quit for about a week. It's really hard bc I was a pack a day smoker and I am constantly stressed out by my job, husband etc and the only thing that ever calms me down is to light one up lol although I HAVE FOUND ONE THING  that has helped me and I hope it helps you guys as well. Change brands. Get a brand that is completely disgusting. I smoke menthol ciggs Newports a pack a day and I switched to pall mall menthol now I can stretch a pack for 3 days and 'm decreasing evryday!
That particular brand makes my mouth water and it fees like i'm going to gag and I don't breath through my nose bc I wouldn't be able to smoke em at all if i did. Usually I won't even finish a whole cig I just take a few puffs until i feel satisfied and then short it bc thy're so nasty lol Well I really hope this helps you guys. GOOD LUCK!
Helpful - 0
2195822 tn?1341056911
I smoked but I did give up because you're not only smoking you are making your baby smoke and I could never piut my baby through that ..I Iwitnessed a family friend go into pre term labour at 23weeks...caused by smoking. Her son was born severely disabled .he's now 22 and she still cares for him. He can't even go to the loo on his own.its just not worth it..its only nine months and problems can occur after baby is born too. Huge risk or sids if you smoked during pregnancy..I plead smokers to stop. By the way that stopping cols turkey puts the baby in shock is bull. It's far better yo stop than keep putting toxins into your baby..even cutting down is Stoll had..cold turkey is best.
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
I'm 21 weeks and I feel guilty for smoking as well. Before pregnancy I smoked a pack every 5 days. . Now a pack lasts me A week. It sickens me with guilt and I hate myself for it. I keep telling myself I have to be stronger with more will power. But I end up smoking one anyway. My doctor told me quitting cold is going to throw my body in shock and stress out myself and baby. I've tried everything from sucking on lollipops to putting money in a bank every time I decide I need one. It just drives me crazy. I have anxiety problems before pregnancy. I gave up on my anxiety meds. But can't seem to give up cigarettes. It sickens me to go to the store to buy cigs and wonder what the cashier clerk thinks its for?!!! My husband works on a ship in the sea. I see him 3 days out of 2 weeks. It's stressful. I know how u feel! Let us all pray for more strength to quit!

Ps why do women who don't smoke even bother writing or replying to us( the sufferers) about how bad it is. I wonder what addiction they have if they don't smoke? Maybe pill poppers? Who knows. America, the land of the free but the most judgemental and most self contradicting!
Helpful - 0
2195822 tn?1341056911
Spot on Kateee sick of seeing people justify and encourage smoking during pregnancy. I quit both pregnancies. No excuses..your child doesn't choose to.smoke and you could be causi.ng life long problems for your child.
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
There's absolutely no medical reason that you need to keep smoking for a baby, to prevent stress on them or prevent withdrawal or anything else. Stopping smoking as soon as possible is absolutely the best thing you can do for your health and your child's. I quit cold turkey the moment I found out I was pregnant with my daughter and I was a smoker for 18 years. Honestly, it's poison. I get how hard it is to stop but there's  just no acceptable reason to poison your unborn child because you want to continue to smoke, it's selfish. Motherhood is a series of challenges and sacrifices, we should all really do our best to provide our children with as healthy a start as possible. The decisions you make will
Impact this tiny person for life. The best advice I can give is to recognize and think about what you are doing to your unborn baby every time you light up, that alone should give you motivation to stop.

I don't mean to be harsh or rude, but it's upsetting to see people telling each other how hard it is or how cutting down is enough, that their babies were fine. Statistically speaking, plenty of babies aren't fine and don't survive or have horrible defects.  If you want to have a healthy pregnancy and a healthy child, you really should stop smoking as soon as possible, period. There's a reason why each pack comes with a warning.
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
I can't quit and feel horrible I smoked my first pregnancy and thankfully have a completely healthy 3 year old now this pregnancy I feel like I smoke more then I did before I was pregnant I have alot of stress not that thats an excuse but i would be happy if I only smoked four a day
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
My first pregnancy I had no problem stopping but my second is a whole lot worse I'm currently 5 weeks pregnant and my Dr said do not quit cold turkey while pregnant, she said it is a lot better for the baby and you to wean yourself off. That's what I am doing and I'm down to 1 a day and some days I don't even have one. I only smoke 1 when I get really bad withdrawal symptoms. So good luck! Just be strong and keep thinking of your little baby, It helps. Just talk with your Dr and find a method that is best for you as well as your baby. :)
Helpful - 0
2201275 tn?1339881222
Weres my comment gone
Helpful - 0
2201275 tn?1339881222
i havent had this problem....been smoking since 12 an smoked with my last child but miscarried at 9 wk but dint find out til 12wk, this was in august. I recently found out that im pregnant again so when i was abwt 4wk pregnant i saw the stopping smoking woman that my mid-wife referred me to an she gave me patches and enhalor,however the patches made me throw up an go into cold sweats and shake after 6hrs of wear.So i went onto the enhalor and used it for abwt a week but because the taste is like nicotine combined with fish it put me off an now i carnt stand smell of smoke. My boyfriend stills smokes and wonders why i dont want to kiss him sometimes,but im still going stronge six weeks on....i do still crave a cig an get very tempted but thers one thing that stops me an its knowing my baby needs all the oxygen to have a good healthy start, and its not about just me anymore an this stops me until next crave.It is hard but this babys heart beat aint as fast as last one an this one looks more laid back and chilled so i fink i can safely say that iv done the right thing by trying an having the will-power this time......hope it helps you all that aint succeeded an hope you message me if it does help you lol xxx
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
Thank you so much for your story about your sister. That has scared me to making a effort to really try to quit.  
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
I am 10 weeks pregnant and i can't quit smoking everytime i try i get shakey and i clench my teeth i freak out i want to quit so badly i am very ashamed to say i have had a baby before my 3 year old son i did cut back but i never could quit he came out completely perfect and healthy and 8 lbs but with the chemicals in our ciggerettes increasing like the fire safety IM scared to have smoked as much as i have my husband smokes as well i really need to quit i feel IM hurting to baby when my body withdrawals as strongly as it does what do i do
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
CaimtThis is my third baby and I am not going to lie I smoke a pack to 2packs a day I know it is so wrong but my boyfriend says stuff to make me mad and it makes me want to smokepte

More I wish he would relax so I could at least try to quit smoking but its hard
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
I'm not a smoker now BUT I was for a very long time.  I quit once for a year and a half and one drunken night led a cig to my mouth and we were inseparable. LOL!! I just quit again in August but let me tell you! IT WAS SO HARD! I cheated here and there (many times) but I wore the patch for 3 months. I would've worn that patch no mater how long it took. My bf quit cold turkey at the same time and he just smiled, loved life w/out a cigarette. I wanted to punch him in the face and shove a cigarette down his throat. But whatev!  :) I still miss smoking but now that I'm pregnant I'm thankful I quit when I did.

My mom smoked throughout her pregnancies, like a freight train. She even smoked out her hospital room buddy (the 80's).  We were all under weight but no health problems or anything.  We excelled at academic activities and sports. I think its just the way the cookie crumbles.  :) GOOD LUCK TO YOU ALL!!!!  
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
I am 9 wks with my 3rd child and having the same problem. I quit with my first 2 but crave them with my 3rd. Im smoking about 4-5 a day. Really hoping we both lose the desire. I feel so guilty. You're not alone. Good luck!!!
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
I'm 20 weeks pregnant, and also a smoker. I've tried my hardest to quit, but no luck. I was smoking a pack to a pack and a half a day before I got pregnant, but now I'm down to about 8 a day. I worry myself sick about my baby and doctor appointments are a big relief to me when I am able to see my baby and hear the heart beat just to know he's ok. If anyone has any advice, great, I'd love to hear it. Good luck ladies!
Helpful - 0
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