smoking during pregnancy

[asher01]

I am almost 8 weeks pregnant and I'm a smoker. When I found out that I was pregnant I started to cut down with intentions to quit. I went from smoking a pack of cigarettes a day down to now about 5 or 6 cigs a day. I am not having any luck quitting. I have cut down but I can't get down to zero. Sounds weird but I seem to crave cigarettes now that i'm pregnant. I quit with my son without a problem now I'm having so much trouble. Has anyone had this problem.? Does anyone have any advice for me to use to help me get those last 6 cigs out of my day?? I hate the fact that I smoke and I'm pregnant and I am trying so hard to quit. I know I can do it but does anyone have any advice for me?? Has anyone been a smoker during pregnancy and their baby been ok or had a problem? I am worried but if anyone has advice for me I would greatly appreciate it...
thank you

[KaylaRose16]

My cousin's girlfriend smoke through out all 5 of her pregnancies, the last child was born 10 weeks early & she has mental disabilities. Now whether that was because she smoked I'm not sure, her other children has severe asthma though. Her oldest is 7 & sounds like a 60 year old who smoked her whole life :/ I'm glad you're making the effort to quit though, your children will thank you later on down the road. (:

[naelynn]

I am 19 years old n have only been smoking for a year I didn't smoke with my other two children n just found out I'm having mu 3rd I'm only 7 weeks n trying to quit smoking its very challenging but I'm down to 4 ciggeretts a day .. just keep trying u cam do it ...

[evthing4reason]

Some Dr's will reccomend that you cut WAY WAY down, and when you do smoke just have like a puff or two. It is defianlty best to quit, but don't get toooooooo stressed about it. And think about when you have your baby. Even if you don't smoke in the same room , the baby wull be inhaling it from your clothes and skin. So keep trying to quit, plus a baby is expensive you'll have better things to spend your money on then smokes.
(btw, i am a non-smoker. I won't even let my husband sleep in the same bed with me if he happened to have a few puffs at a party, i think it is discusting)

[Kim1989]

its no ok to smoke while pregnant. its toxic. while most dont think it causes miscarriage, your baby can wind up with lung problems and have a low birth weight. my friend had her baby at 28 weeks! she would smoke during her pregnancy. im not sure wether thats why her baby came early but it makes me wonder.

talk about this with your doctor

[hash28]

just to clarify, i was on 20 cig per day(one pack) and NOT 20 packs!!

[hash28]

i am 3 months preg and have cut down from a 20 pack to around 2-3 cigs a day. still find it so difficult to come down to zero. i really want to but its just not happening. have tried hypnosis but no success.
is it ok to continue with 1-2 a day??

[WishingFairyDust]

oh and I forgot to mention!!!!

My Daughter is now a HEALTHY, BEAUTIFUL, AND INTELLIGENT one year old!!!!!!!!!!!

[WishingFairyDust]

Laura just to let you know its not a load of **** that the baby is more stressed when you quit!!!! Let me tell you tell you this I don't care about your opinion. I actaully found this site hoping to find other people like me, the first time I got pregnant I quit smoking hoping for the best for my precious child that I was going to bring into the world.... However instead of a happy pregnancy I misscarried ONLY 3 DAYS after I quit smoking. I was horified and was VERY depressed about it. Then I got pregnant a 2nd time.... You know what some women WILL be fine when they quit but not are all alike. I wasn't about to take a 2nd chance on it. There are so many things in this world that we inhale and don't even think about it. For instance POLUTION, EXHAST, etc... Those are bad too right? I don't hear anyone talking about those. My whole point to this story is smoking is BAD for you period but don't go around judging people on here when you have NEVER been in a position where you misscarried from quiting smoking!!!!

[pertykitty]

cafemom how about you make some kind of deal, let the family on it.  they help you with quitting and after a month of being smoke free you take the cigarette money you would have spent, and take a trip.  i smoked for many many years.  quit with my first pg, then started again.  now im pg again and have quit for good.  my son would tell me how bad it was, and i wasnt being a good role model by saying yes its bad, but continue that behavior myself.  now my sister and her husband are going to quit using a new prescription pill that makes you not want to smoke.  those were her words to describe it.  maybe it will work for you.  i havent had a cigarette since the beginning of april when i found out i was preggers.  i still want one occationally.  even worse i crave a cocktail too lol.  i dont have one, but i sure want one of each.  the hardest part of not smoking were the habits. my best friend just quit too and we would talk on the phone for hours smoking the whole stupid time.  so now i clean while i talk to her and she has her things she does.  you just have to replace the habit, that seems to  be the hardest part. good luck, you will find they stink horribly after you are done with them.

[cafemom69]

Hi I am a mother of 2 great kids, daughter is 16, son is 13. I smoked with both of my children and they were both over 8 lbs.  But to this day I still regret it.. I regret ever starting to smoke.  I hate the addiction, I am still smoking.  Scared to death to even try to quit.  People who say just quit, apparently doesnt know the "hold" it has on some people.  My hubby quit cold turkey 7 years ago.  But he put on 100 lbs.  He had gastric bypass 2 years ago, gallbladder surgery last year and we almost lost him due to infection.. I think what scares me most is putting on more weight..I am 5ft. tall and weigh 170 lbs. Hello my weight is killing me and so is the cigarettes... I cant win for losing..so those who say JUST QUIT...yeah that's easier said than done... I hate smoking I hate being over weight, I hate my kids being around smoke..WE need help too, drug addicts can get help...I've never done "drugs" but I cant imagine being any more addicted than I am to these "so called drugs" everyone wants us to quit, then give us some help that actually works and our insurance pays for...I hate it when people judge smokers like we're the devil walking on earth...look at us like we're scum of the earth..stop judging us so hard and come up with a "free" "drug treatment that actually works....

[laura1977]

I just wanted to say something.  My friend just had a baby and she smoked while pregnant.  The baby is very very small, and let me tell you that SID goes up higher when the mother smoked.  Plus, have ever stopped to consider the life of the child inside you.  Look at it this way.  Would you put a lit cigarette in your babies mouth the day after he or she was born.  You are doing that now.  What ever you inhall is going to your child.  I can say this because before I had my kids I did smoke, but when I became pregnant I STOPPED because I loved my child and wouldn't do that.  You have a reason to quit, this is the best time.  If you couldn't have ever quit for yourself quit for your child.  One day you may realize what type of damage can be done.  Google info about it and see.  I myself always worried about my children dying of SID, and I didn't smoke while pregnant or after they were born.  I could just imagine if I actually did something that caused the risk to rise, what it would be like.  Oh, and let me guess after your child is born you won't quit then and you will probably smoke around them also.  Being a mother is one of the most unselfish things a woman does.  Smoking shouldn't be an option.  Every puff you take makes your unborn child struggle for oxygen.  You know docs may say you shouldn't quit because you'll be stressed out.  What a load of ****.  Your baby is stressed from the chemicals you are giving it.  Another thing, it is amazing when smokers are in the hospital for something that they don't smoke.  Do you wake up in the middle of the night to smoke a cigarette.  Get yourself away from the situations where you want to smoke.  Walking is great for pregnant women.  You are strong enough to do this, because you a woman!
I know this may seem harsh, but when you post on here you are asking for peoples opinions.  Good or bad.  Good luck

[laura1977]

hey, one other thing you should know..........have you ever experienced a child with colic?  when you deliver your baby, it will have withdrawal problems.  your worried about you not wanting to go through withdrawals, but you are going to do that to your child.

[ButterflyDreamer]

its bad for unborn's healthy, if I were you, I would quit right away if I found I am pregnant, I will switch find something to do instead of smoking. just trying to eat healthy and excries, walking around, you still have to control your self over your craving want more cigs and get away from people who smoke around you can make you craving the cigs more. its will cause the low weight at birth and breathing problems and etc....so please quit for your unborn's sake.

[mumwith#4]

Hi - I am 31 and have been smoking since I was about 17. I quit smoking when I fell pregnant with my first but then I miscarried anyway. I was so distressed when I fell pregnant again that I kept smoking thinking it would probably happen again. But it didn't and I went on to give birth to 3 children in 3 and half years. I smoked less than 10 (1mg) cigarettes a day throughout all the pregnancies and my babies were born all over 9lbs and I am not very big myself. They rarely get sick and were all breastfed for a year and I think this has helped. I am not condoning smoking during pregnancy and I think I have been very very lucky but as I have now just discovered I am pregnant with my fourth I guess I don't want my luck to run out and really really want to quit. I am only just 4 weeks and haven't stopped yet but plan to once my pack runs out. I hope that I can do it. My husband smokes but we have always smoked outside our house - never inside and I only ever smoke at home not in public. Wish me luck - I'll let you know how I go!!!

[gwenth]

I am now almost 5 weeks pregnant and just found out. I have been smoking and am terrified that I have screwed up this  pregnancy by doing so. Smoking is a terrible habit and I quit as soon as I found out but am scared all the same. Could I have already caused great harm............help!

[babyhopes]

i also smoked until I got a positive. I was so worried when trying to concieve since smoking can make it very difficult to get pg. Quitting was the best thing I couldve done and now I am 37 weeks and freak out when other people smoke around me. I also work with children with disabilities, (learning and speech and language.) Alot of my children have parents who smoke. Smoking while pregnant has been linked to low birh weight, higher risk of SIDS, as well as many other developmental and physical problems. I recently also learned that when a newborn is exposed to one person smoking they are inhaling 4 cigs worth of second hand smoke. They even get this amount from laying against a smokers clothing. My husband's mother smoked when she was pregnant with all 4 of her children and I can honestly say there are things that I am sure are connected for example, my husband has had upper repiratory problems his whole life, bronchitis, not to mention problems with his teeth and gums. His siblings have suffered and still do from bronchitis, allergies, exzema, digestive/bowel problems, one brother 32 yo has a serious heart infection -unexplained- and has had a heart attack already. Another brother suffers from major social problems, minor learning disabilities, this same brother had chronic ear infections as a child and had tubes placed in his ears. He still has some speech errors which were never resolved after the years of poor hearing. As a result he also has very low self esteem issues. I could go on.  I love my husbands family and his mother didn't know any better at the time, and even now she thinks they all turned out "fine". I know it is hard to quit and I admire you for trying, but personally I feel like you need to think about this little one as being so much bigger than you and make he/she your priority and try anything you can to quit. It is possible you will smoke and your baby will be fine, but is it worth the risk? Talk with your Dr. - Best of luck, I promise you it will be worth the sacrifice for 9 months!

[harris2000]

It is very hard to quit, but so worth it.  Please understand that I am not trying to scare or upset you in anyway....I found out a little over 2 weeks ago that I was pregnant and have been trying to quit smoking ever since.  All my friends smoked while they were pregnant so I figured it would be okay if I quit by gradually slowing down. I have slowed down from 1pk/day to 5-10 a day.  This week, my doctor told me that I am going to miscarry.  I don't know the reason for the problem, but I will always wonder if this is my fault because I continued to smoke. This is the hardest thing I have ever had to go through and I don't want anyone else to go through this.  Please quit.

[mandymoo1983]

mt mum smoked witn me i now have asthma no trouble with the birth weight or anything i was 9lb2onces try and give up good luck to you.

[jackiemoo]

I just threw them away and I was total ***** for about two days, then it passed and I was ok after that. I still dream about them, and every once in a while one will sound good. I used them for my alone time. Now if I have to get away, I make BF watch the boy and I go to the park and swing!!


Do you like chee-dos? Buy some of those, that helped me a lot. Popcicles, sunflower seeds, hard candy, and drink as much water as you can handle!! That will help rid your body, and your baby's, of the toxins faster. It should take no longer than three days.

[AnnieBrooke]

My best friend had great results by getting hypnotized.  Her shrink also was good at hypnosis, and so she had confidence.  You might look up medical hypnosis and see what you find either online or even in the yellow pages.  What harm could it do, and it might be a success for you.  Good luck!!!!!

[asher01]

I am 23, and have been smoking since I was probably 16. My entire family smokes and always have. Its hard to try to quit and have so many smokers around you all the time. I am trying so hard becuase i know all the bad that comes with smoking. thats what scares me most. I want my children to be healthy and they are but smoking around them is very bad. I quit while preg with my son and started back up like an idiot. I appreciate all the advice given to me and I am praying I can get down to no more cigs in a day. Its hard, very hard. just like a few of you said about craving the cigs during pregnancy thats how i feel also. I seem to crave them at certain times and now since i'm eating more thats when i crave them most is after a meal. The advice one of you said about giving up 1 more cig each day till you get to zero seems like a good idea. I just can't get to zero. i went from over a pack now to 5 or 6 which is a big step i think. I talked alot to my doctor at my last ob appt about this and she seemed to think i could do it (i know i can) cause i did it before. she said so many women smoke during their pregnancies and think its ok. i know its not ok, its so bad. all the studies about second hand smoke scare the **** outta me cause second hand smoke is soooooo bad... just as bad as being the smoker yourself. its that my unborn child is helpless and dosen't deserve what i'm doing to her by smoking and thats why i will quit. i just wondered how people quit during pregnancy cause its so hard and if anyone has a story or advice for me i totally aprreciate any feedback. thanks to all of you for responding. i will keep ya posted on my goal....   thanks!!!!  :)

[jackiemoo]

Please do quit. It is horrible for you and the baby. Just give them up forever. It is a major lifestyle change. This is my second pregnancy and I quit smoking when I found out I was prego with my first. After he was born I started up again and I regret it. I don't know how old you are or how long you have been smokking, but this is real, and they can cause you horrible diseases or low quality of life and may do the same for your unborn baby.

I am sure you know of all of the health risks but maybe you don't know that children that are exposed to smoke in the woom are more likley to have psycological disorders later in life such as anxiety problems and it has even been linked to learning dissabilities and ADHD. Not to mention SIDS is more prevelant.

Just make a list of all of the pros to quitting an look at it every time you reach for a smoke. I quit a year ago and I know hate the smell and cannot stand that I used to smoke.

Heart disease
Not being able to be as active with your kids
Cancers
SIDS
Anxiety
Odor
Bad Skin
Yellow Teeth
Shorter Life
Lower quality of Life
Low Birth Weight
Premature Birth Wieght
Baby born With Heart Murmers that sometimes require surgery
Fewer taste buds
Osteoperosis
Not able to take certain meds because you are at a higher risk for heart attacks
Your kids will be more likley to smoke and have to go through everything you are going through right now!

Good luck, you will be in my prayers....YOU CAN DO IT!!! I BELIEVE IN YOU:)

[Janbaby]

My mom smoked when she was pregnant with me.  I was premature and suffered from asthma my whole childhood.  I would quit if I were you.

[young_single_mother22]

And just to mention because of babyblues message about that could be the reasons as to what could happen to a child.

My daughter is now 6 years old but when she was born 7 pounds 2 ounces, very healthy no complications.

She has always been a very bright child and never anything wrong. Rarly has to go to the doctor for being sick etc.

Being 6 years old now and in school I must brag that she is one of the smartest kids in her class. I get compliments on her all the time from teachers etc.

So the decision is yours to make I just wanted to point that out to you. But every person is different and well it would be hard to predict how every person is going to be. And as to babyblues that could of been an effect but I would take every message that you recieve and present it to your doctor and see what advice you are given then make a decision.