smoking whilst pregnant with twins

Question

Hi there, I am 20 weeks pregnant with twins, and i am still smoking. I have always been a heavy smoker from the age off 14 to now at age 35, I have tried so many times through this pregnancy to stop, which has only lasted for a day. I end up getting really streesed out, crying angry, anixty, and give up and have a cigeratte. Which then i torture my self will guilt, thinking gosh how can i be so selfish. i have these to babies inside off me, and i cannot quit.......I have overcome a 10 year drug addicition last year been clean for 9 months now, so why is this so hard, some times i feel its unbeatable. i have tried every quit smoking aid out there NO GOOD!!!! I smoked through both my other pregnancies of 40 fags a day, my little boy is fine, however my 12 year old daughter is a severe asthmatic, i no my smoking is so much to do with that. I am currently smoking between 10 to 15 rolls ups a day. I s there anyone out there who can give me some advice or share their experiences with me if similar. Im desperate for conversation on this matter as my partner is very hard to speak , i feel as if i cannot speak to anyone that is why i have made this step and posted my question on here, thank you so much for even reading...... Clare

Shayna7790 · Answer

Have any of you ladies given birth to your twins yet? If so, how far along we're you and how much did your babies weigh?

lifeisgoodsometimes · Answer

I am 25 weeks pregnant with twins and still smoking. I would say a pack or so a day. Sadly, I quit for SEVEN years. I quit when I was pregnant with my daughter around the 3 months. She is perfectly healthy today and  weighed 7 lbs 9 oz at birth. I think back to that pregnancy and remember how I would rage out, I was stressed to the max during that pregnancy. It's no wonder she was colic and that was hell. I started smoking again almost a year ago because I was depressed. I don't think that I realized how bad it was but now that I look back, I know. I want to stop, I feel guilty every single day. One difference about this pregnancy is I am so laid back. I don't get upset and I am so happy go lucky. Nothing seems to bother me or make me rage out like before. I know smoking is bad, I've read it all. People who go on and on about the effects must think we don't read. I want to stop but I don't. I am afraid that I will rage out again and I don't want to do that. I also should add that I was a big beer drinker prior to this pregnancy. I don't even think about drinking now. I used to get so mad at my husband for drinking when I was pregnant with my daughter, that was a lot of the rage and anger. He still drinks now occasionally, but I just shrug it off. I don't have answers. Just know there are others out there struggling with smoking who have good intentions. I pray that we all have healthy babies.

love2884 · Answer

I am 15 weeks tommorow with twins i just cant stop smoking either i was in the Hospital for 1 week and 4days for depression wben i got out a smoked a pack for a day for three days straivht my mid wife is trying to make me go cold turkey with candy can someone help me please

Clysta · Answer

Just take things slowly. Don't look too far into the future now and take it one day at a time. Set small goals for yourself, and don't freak out if you mess up one day. You just pick it back up where you were before and keep trying. It is also good to have a good support system around you, and if you hang out around people who are smokers try asking them to not do it around you or distance yourself from those situations. Smoking is also done often in habit (oral fixation, stress, boredom) and breaking that routine also helps.

fletch76 · Answer

thank you so much for your reply it really is helpfull. my twins are non identical by the way x girl and a boy

MsKitty84 · Answer

Talk to your doctor about this one for sure. Twins are high-enough risk without adding smoking to the mix. 

Probably going to get reamed for this but I know of a few women that switched from cigs to chew during pregnancy with no noticeable ill effects on the kids. This was common back in the 70s or 80s. You can even get European (Swedish) chews that don't have all the chemicals found in American products now.  It's not healthier for you, obviously, and if you chew tobacco, there's still nicotine in your blood stream, but it at least helps eliminate the issue of cutting off too much oxygen from babies. It also gives you a quicker buzz, so you need less nicotine (btw so does Nicorette), and switching make quitting completely easier. Also, they do make tobacco-free versions now -- you can get "snuff" made from mint leaves, for example.

Clysta · Answer

Twins alone often make you high risk and smoking can definitely make this worse. Many twins are born anywhere from 33-36 weeks, and weigh anywhere from 2-5 pounds. Their lungs often aren't fully matured, and smoking will only make that worse. So it might not cause problems, is that a risk you're willing to take? You've seen already what it can contribute to with your daughter, what if it happens again. Many times people with addictions don't quit when they try because either they really don't want to and just tell themselves they do, or think that they can't make it without it. 

Your age isn't terrible, but combined with a twin pregnancy (if they're identical you're at even higher risk of complications) and smoking, it benefits no one least of all your children. Reaching out is the first step and it's wonderful that you have. Now you just need to take the next step and stick with it. It IS possible, and it likely won't be easy but stopping an addiction never really is.

fletch76 · Answer

thank you so much for your reply, you have just hit a reality check into my brain. You are so right with twins being low birth weight at the best off times, i no smmoking will not help this. And of course my age is a concern. God why do i still feel like im 21 lol. This is the first time i am actually scared because off my age, i never thought my age was a problem but now you say it like that, i think i have had the kick up the bum to seriously go and speak to mmy doctor or midwife thanks again x

mamaof4410 · Answer

The ladies above said something I forgot to mention....don't try to quit cold turkey. The withdrawls and the anxiety from the withdrawls could put you into premature labor. Talk with your ob and see what he/she recommends.

mamaof4410 · Answer

Well you came to the right place...the ladies here in this forum are very supportive and give you the best advice possible. 
Having said that from the medical point and again we are not doctors but speak from either experience or similar stories. Twins are usually born before 36 weeks and if they are they will more then likely have breathing problems. Smoking is going to make this worse. And in no way am I trying to make you feel bad. But you should either quit or cut back as much as you can. The less the better but none is awesome. Right now is when their brains are developing the most and the last 8 weeks is when their lungs are developing Surfactant which is a hormone that helps the lungs expand. Smoking depletes this hormone. Smoking also causes low birthweight and prematurity. And you being 35 (in no way do I mean this in a wrong way) but it puts you in a High Risk category, I wouldn't do anything to make this any worse than it could be.
But I must say you have come along way to have cigarettes be your only problem. Congrats on your 9 month sobriety. But think of your little babies. They dont have a choice or a say in what you do. Best of luck to you and I hope you continue to be strong and start clean. Best wishes....

trying43 · Answer

Maybe ur doctor can help.  Don't quit alone cuz that can b worse for the babies.  Talk to ur dr and best of luck and congrats on ur pregnancy and being drug free!

CR2010 · Answer

Also. 

If you had a drug problem I don't recommend quoting to smoke as you could have the urge to relaps

CR2010 · Answer

Smoking has negative effects on your unborn children. As I said that my mother smoker with my sister... She had no problems.. My mom didn't smoke with me..: I have asthma. Even your doctor would recommend that you don't quit smoking cold turkey the stress can have worse effects on the babies than smoking. But He would recommened cutting back.