Smoking During Pregnancy?!

[Emy725]

Ive heard from plenty of mothers that they have smoked throughout they're pregnancy and my cousin actually smoked cigarettes and marijuana threw her full pregnancy and the baby came out fine... my friends who have had babies actually have smoked cigarettes during they're pregnancy and the babies came out fine .. whats up with that? i hear that smoking is really bad and shouldnt be done during pregnancy .. what do you think about it?!?! have you smoked during your pregnancy?!?! do you think its ok?!?! i would feel really guilty smoking during my pregnancy but sometimes i feel really stressed that i crave one..

[Michele, Katy, TX]

I wasn't trying to jump on you or anything.  I hope it didn't come across that way.  Sometimes things may "sound" rude through typing that aren't meant to, so if I sounded that way, I am sorry.

I really was just trying to give you my opinion and tell you my way of thinking so that it might help you.  

Oh, and craving them is very normal.  It is a very hard habit to break.  Trust me I know.  I have gone back to it everytime and this time I am going to do my best to not go back.  I want to be around for my kids and grandkids one day :)

[Heather3418]

If I may add my two cents....I had my children in the 1970's.  Smoking was not discouraged by doctor's back then...there was even smoking allowed in hospitals and doctor's waiting rooms.

I didn't smoke alot when I was young and pregnant, but I did smoke.  My first child was  2 weeks overdue and weighed 8 pds. 7 ozs.  My second child was born on her due date and was 7 pounds 10 1/2 ozs.

Knowing what I know today, I never would have picked up that first cigarette when I was pregnant.  My children are healthy, but I will never know what harm I may have done to them with my smoking....

Thanks for letting me "add my two cents...."

Heather
MS Forum

[Emy725]

its not that im basing what i do by others but i just would like to hear what everyones opinion is about it, i guess bc this is my first time being prego i just like to see what other pregnant woman think! .. yes i do crave one but me actually getting a cigarette and smoking it while im pregnant i couldnt have the guts to do at all! this post was definetly out of curiousity.. i would feel too guilty that im doing it to my innocent baby that has no clue!

[Michele, Katy, TX]

I was a smoker too but I never understand why anyone would base what they do on what others do.  I mean, smoking is harmful whether you are pregnant or not.  I knew that myself but continued to do it (when I WAS NOT pregnant).  I didn't do it in my home or around my children though.  My kids never knew I smoked.  I tried my best not to let my bad habit hurt anyone else.  It was my choice and not anyone else's choice.  But when I found out I was pregnant (everytime), I would smoke like one a day until I finished what I had and then that was it.  I just didn't think it was fair to make my unborn child smoke and that was just how I viewed it.  I felt like it was my responsibility to do what was best for my baby.  It is a mother's responsibility when they are pregnant and after the child is born as well.  Heck, it will be forever.

I know a girl....Well, it's really a friend of a friend.......But she smoked her entire pregnancy with both of her kids.  Her first was born with.....Well, I can't remember the name of it, but her little girl had to wear some sort of braces on her legs for some time.  And then her son is Autistic.  Were either of those things caused by the smoking????  I suppose there is no way to know for sure, but I do know that one thing that smoking can cause is birth defects and even developmental problems, so it is a possibility.

So, I would have to say no way!

[amberd5191]

My mother smoked while pregnant with me and my brother. I was born 6 wks early at 3lb, my brother was past his due date and barely weighed in over 5lb. I don't suggest it, I have seen too many negatives of smoking during pregnancy on a childs development.

[NicMom]

I have known three women who smoked all the way through a pregnancy. All three had babies that were born with a low birth weight. One ended up being developmently slow and didn't start talking until he was 3 and another had severe digestive/colic issues. I don't know if it was related to the smoking, but hey why chance it.