smoking

[Alaina328]

Why is it so hard quiting smoking while pregant

[cmoretti]

Well, I quit without becoming pregnant and it was really difficult. It didn't take long for me to get over the addiction to nicotine, maybe a few days, but the hard part was the ritual and habits that came with smoking. I had a hand to mouth fixation so I started sucking on small hard candies, while driving I had a hard time because I had no idea what to do with my hand that always had a cig in it! First thing in the morning, after meals and after sex were the worst. I had to think of other things to do during this time to occupy my mind. I did gain some weight but once I was done with everything, I lost it. Hang in there and know that you are doing what is best for your baby. Don't beat yourself up, just keep trying to do less and less until you are able to stop.

[lum510]

I have smoked for years and with both my boys quit right away after I found out I was pregnant. But for some reason I have had a very hard time this time. I was smoking a pack a day. I am now down to 5 smokes a day. So its getting better. I really want to stop its just so hard but I dont want to hurt my child so I now I will do. This Sunday Mothers Day :) will be my last cigarette I will ever smoke!! I also will not start back after baby is born like I did with my others. Good Luck to all those mom's try to guit!!!
WE CAN DO IT!!!!!

[Annie2008]

Before I found I was pregnant I smoked, and I smoked probably a pack a day.  I found out I was pregnant at 5 weeks and 6days pregnant and knew I didn't wanna smoke through my whole pregnancy, but knew I couldn't just quit one two three.  I cut down to about 8 smokes a day, then that got cut down to 5 smokes a day, then that got cut down to 3 a day and now I am smoke free.  At first when I was cutting down I didn't inhale the smoke at all, which actually made it taste even worse!!  I have smokes in the house, but haven't touched them, for me it seems easy to have them in the house and for me to make that choice to not smoke instead of throwing them all away and freaking out about it.  I didn't think I could do it, but I did and it's easy - every time I want a smoke, I think of Peanut and how much more I want it!!!

You guys can do it!!!  Don't go with all or nothing, cut down and it will become easier!!!

[wanttobeamumagain]

It's not hard! i stopped the day i found out i was pregnant, i decided my baby was more important. Ive never felt better. You can do it!!!!

[Mumita]

Its simple, its called determination.  If y ou are determined to give your baby the best health possible, you can quit today.
If you are determined to have a healthy life for yourself and avoid potential death risks like cancer or stroke or emphisema or anything else, then its easy, you can quit today or not even start.

If health is not that important to you and your own body then its not that important to you the health of the baby growing inside of you so you continue to smoke.  Its that simple, if you care, you can stop today.

[JAXX55]

its hard because its an addiction. However, you have to make a choice - keep smoking and hurt my baby or quit and give the baby the best chance possible that he/she deserves... its really that simple... good luck!

[jenkaye21]

I have quit with each of my pregnancies (and then, stupidly, started again.) = (

This past time was the easiest because the very smell of cigarettes made me ill.  I couldn't (and still can't) stand the thought of smoking right now!  I am determined never to start again.

In the past, I have done things like write "Last Pack" inside the lid; I let myself finish that pack, usuallt stretching them out as long as possible.... then refuse to buy anymore.

Good luck, its tough but you will be so glad you quit when baby comes!  You do NOT want his/her tiny lungs breathing secondhand smoke (for some reason, it seems more *real* after they are born), and you don't want their tiny blankies and things smelling smoke-y, either.

[dietcola]

Oh and I forget to mention, how much money you actually saving!!! I always said "ehhh... whatever, saving 5 dollars a day not going to take me far''' You'll be surprised how much money you going to have saved but the end of the week. Every time I go to a gas station to buy cigarettes I also buy drink, gym etc. I have not been on gas station for over a week and I have extra $75 dollars left from my paycheck this week!!! YEE!!! Not a lot, but definitely something extra!!!! Next week it will be $150!!!!

[dietcola]

It's actually not as hard as you guys think! I have been smoking for over ten years at least pack a day if not more! I have to admit I love to smoke, there was nothing better for me then to have a cigarette after a meal. I smoked first thing in the morning and last thing before I went to bad. When I found out I was pregnant, I could not even imaging quitting, so I started to slow down, In a week I went form 5-7 cigarettes to 3 or less a day. And then I decided if I can go with less then three cigarettes a day I can go without any!!! So within two weeks after I found out I was pregnant, I quite completely!! And, I have to admit it's was so much easier then I thought!!!! I have not smoked a cigarette for over a week now, and while I do think sometimes how nice it will be to have a cigarette now( especially when my boyfriend smokes...,) the health of the baby is more important. So if you can I will encourage you to quite! I am a smoker, and I LOVE SMOKING (as stupid as it sounds)
But BETTER SAFE THEN SORRY!!! You only going to feel a little withdrawn on a day 2 maybe 3 not more. I got lots of candies ( life savers) to keep my mind of cigarettes.( always was scared to gain weight from quitting, but figured its the best time now, cause i am going to gain weight anyway!!! lol!. Every time I want a cigarette s make myself think the fallowing “ I am not going to eat old meat, or drink old milk or purposely smell cleaning supplies or pick up heavy stuff. Why not?? Because while it’s not life dangerous for me it can possible cause complication to the baby and pregnancy so I don’t do it. Same with cigarettes. While it’s not super deadly there is a chance of complications so I should avoid it for at least nine month!!!” You just gotta find something that will encourage you, what ever it may be!!! Knowing that I have a little baby on a way is the biggest encouragement I could possible have!!! Good Luck

[NicoleW09]

I had a friend who smoked when we were in high school and weren't legal. She claimed that her mother smoked with all of her pregnancies and that she came out of the womb addicted to cigarettes and that she would always be addicted. She recently had her first child and continued to smoke throughout her pregnancy, she didnt feel the need to stop. So far, nothing bad has really reared its head with her baby, so who knows.

[smjmekg]

Ladies I wouldn't beat yourselves up too bad...women before us smoked through their entire pregnancies...don't stress. You can do it in your own time.

[Butterflyths]

I am having a hard time too.  I am down to about 5 a day but its like I just cant put them down completely.  My babies are the most important thing in my world and I beat myself up everyday when I break down and smoke.  So dont feel alone, maybe we can be each others support system.
Good luck.

[JoyRenee]

Slowly wean yourself. It's your choice to stop and I hope you are able to. Communicating with your doctor can be a great line of support. Stock up on gum and hard candies to keep your mouth busy when a craving hits. You will go through withdrawals if you quit cold turkey, which means baby will too. So definitely take it one day at a time.

My mom smoked with me when she was pregnant and I am suffering effects from that. I didn't have a choice. So definitely keep baby your main focus for quitting because their health is at risk too (and don't go back to it after they're born- secondhand smoke can kill as much, or even more than firsthand).

[smjmekg]

Because you are addicted!!! I had the same problem, I actually weened myself off because I heard when you are addicted to something that your baby will automatically be addicted, come to find out though that it's only when you are further into your pregnancy that your baby becomes addicted...Good Luck, I finally was able to quit because they made me sick...I stopped at two months. I know it's hard as he** but you can do it!!!