Smoking,asthma and pregnancy

[Xxbaby36]

Hi everyone i know that im goin to have alot of bad comments once iv posted this questions! Well im 25 weeks pregnant and i was smoking up untill today iv decided to quit an just having 1 a day but have not had 1 yet but sarting to get desperate for 1 now! I also have asthma its not severe and is controlled iv had it since childhood iv never had an asthma attack before i just want to know how dose asthma affect the baby iv read some bad things about it and also im worried as i have smoked in the pregnancy

[adgal]

Way to go on making the decision to quit.  I am a former smoker and it isn't easy, no doubt about it.  Smoking is not linked to birth defects, it is however linked to low birthweight and preterm labour.  I am not telling you this to judge you, but to help encourage you not to smoke.  I still have bad cravings as well.  I am also stressed about this pregnancy and for me stress is a trigger to smoke. I have nicorette lozenges and I use that once in a while.  They say not to use while pregnant, but there are many studies showing it is far preferable to giving in to that craving.  I don't use it often, only once in awhile, but they help.  The other thing I have done is printed out a picture of my babies ultrasound. Every time I want to give in and have a cigarette, I look at that picture....and remember, that is why I don't smoke anymore. It isn't about me anymore, I chose to give up my body to grow that baby, and I owe it to him/her to give them as healthy a head start in life as I can.  Try those two things, and it may help motivate you to not give in when it gets bad.  Good luck to you....and remember, it is never to late in your pregnancy to give up smoking.  You are doing the best thing for your baby.

[tricia448]

i have athsma...my obgyn said its so important to take the medications for the athsma...apparently if i cant breathe and get oxygen neither can the baby..
i take either puffs of preventil or albuteral inhalers....or i sometimes use a machine with a mask (nebulizer)...with albuteral in liquid form...my athsma comes and goes...but lately i have been wheezing so i called the nurse...she reminded me how important it is to take my meds when needed...i told her that i used to take advair before pregnancy...she said if the athsma stays the same or gets worse i will add advair...
try ...to stay strong with not smoking!!!!!! best of luck!

[lynda544]

I can answer the part about asthma and pregnancy. 1/3 of people with asthma get better during pregnancy, 1/3 stay the same, and 1/3 actually get better. The most important thing is to take good care of yourself and stay away from triggers (smoke, dust, gas exhaust, viral infections, etc.). I actually feel best during pregnancy. Most people with asthma do fine. I'm so impressed that you are trying to stop! Having a baby and being pregnant is such a miracle. This would be a great time to give smoking for you and your baby.

[joal]

I can't help on the asthma but up until we decided we were going to start TTC I smoked. I smoked for 22 years and quitting is very difficult. What made it easier for me was staying away from all the triggers. I gave up coffee, wine (still miss that one), anything that made we want one.

For the first week I carried lollipops (the little dum dums) they only last about ten minutes and seriously help with the oral fixation. Then I started in on starburst and oranges the next week, again something to do with your hands peeling and all. The third week was just oranges, gave up all the candy and I feel so much better now. I still get cravings every once and awhile but it's been long enough that I can control it.

The hardest part is the first three days, then it gets a little better and after two weeks you are totally good.  Just remind yourself why you are doing it and go get some lollipops, good luck!

[PamelaBee]

First of all, I commend you for posting.  I'm not a smoker, but I certainly can understand the addiction, and how difficult it must be to try and quit.  Having asthma is only adding fuel to the fire.  Please talk to your health care provider about methods of quitting and safe asthma meds and doses.  At 25 wks your baby is very vulnerable to anything you injest, drink, inhale, etc.  Be good to yourself, especially your baby!  Good luck to you.

[rubyinparadise]

smoking is linked to low birthweight. it starves your cells and your baby's cells of oxygen. you wouldn't put a cigarette into a newborn baby's mouth so why do it now?

i am not saying this to judge you in any way, but just letting you know what the facts are. even though you are quitting well into your pregnancy, i think it's wonderful that you are doing so!

get all the support you can from the people around you. from what i understand, it really is one day, one hour at a time.

i know a lot of people who used yoga to help them quit. they say the deep breathing in yoga gives them some of the same relaxation benefits they would get from taking a long drag on a cigarette. :)

if yoga doesn't sound good to you then put *some* other kind of exercise routine into your schedule-- anything! it really will help. it will help your asthma too!

[BabyBlue07]

smoking and pregnancy don't mix... you should quit smoking for the sake of your baby... If you don't quit smoking, your could have birth defect baby due to smoking...

About your asthma... you need to talk to your medical provider about what medicine can you take...

I don't know if too late for the development of the baby or not.. but if you quit now.. still better than nothing...

Right now you are not thinking for yourself anymore... you have to think about the baby that you are bringing to the world... You want a healthy baby.. not a sick baby...

Good luck