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Pregnancy

Please encourage me to not smoke!

30 replies

RoseBlossoms · 03/06/2009 19:22

I found out yesterday morning that i was pregnant. CB said 1-2 weeks so v.early.

I smoked a lot yesterday, but havnt had one today, but as the evening progresses i really really want one!!

Please please tell me no!!

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Joy27 · 03/06/2009 19:36

Don't do it. You'll feel horribly guilty. Remember cravings only last for 5-10 minutes so ride each one out.

Good luck.

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mollyroger · 03/06/2009 19:38

congratulations!
I was a very heavy smoker but there was something about knowing that I was directy responsible for that little bean's health which spurred me and encouraged me to give up immediately.

A craving lasts for 7 minutes. Have a drink of water and do something else to distract yourself.
You can do this; you will have the ultimate reward at the end of it

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moopymoo · 03/06/2009 19:42

i found that being preg was the 'bump' i needed to give up. one craving at a time, it will pass and helping you give up is the gift your little bean is giving to you both. im sure you know the risks - increased miscarriage, complications even fetal death much harder to live with than needing a fag. you can do it - your first job as a mummy!

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mollyroger · 03/06/2009 19:44

I found Alan Carr's book very helpful when giving up in the past. (that;'s the downside, I need to be pg in order to give up

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Neon · 03/06/2009 19:47

Congratulations!
I smoked 30 a day until January when I decided to take Champix. Then I found out I was pregnant in Feb more than halfway through my course of treatment. I have been champix and fag free since late Jan.
You may want to speak to your doctor about alternative solutions (patches etc) as it can be difficult to give evrything up at once!!!

Good Luck. You can do it!!!

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Mintyy · 03/06/2009 19:48

Once you have decided to give up smoking it does get a little bit easier every day (although be prepared for blips on day 3 and at around 3 weeks). And if you are anything like me you will feel sooooooooo horrribly grossly sick in a few weeks time, you will not even feel like smoking .

Other people will judge you very very badly if you don't give up while pregnant.

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RoseBlossoms · 03/06/2009 21:53

Thanks so much, I've been swimming with my mum tonight so that has taken my mind off it!

I didnt know about cravings only lasting 7-10 mins! Makes sense now tho!

Oh i have to stop drinking real coffee as well now dont i! Its all so easily forgotten!!

Mintyy I am one of those peopel who judges visably pregnant women smoking! Makes me

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Noonki · 03/06/2009 22:02

Hi Rose
I managed to give up for the first time in 20 years of fagging it when pregnant and have never smoked since.

My BIL is a doctor and he said you only have to stand outside of a prem ward to see how many of the mums are smoking to make you stop (though of course not all prem babies are a result of smoking)

It's not on really and you know it.

Honest it is so much nicer not smoking (and I was a heavy smoker )

also your dcs are so much more likely not to smoke if you don't.###

You CAN do it !!!!

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naturalblonde · 03/06/2009 22:05

Be good, you'll enjoy your pregnancy so much more after not smoking for a couple of weeks. Instead of feeling guilty and crappy and wanting a fag for the next 9 months.

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Tidey · 03/06/2009 22:10

I had this very helpful image in my head of a fully formed baby in there (even when it was right at the start of pregnancy, so completely inaccurate, biologically speaking) coughing and spluttering if I had a cigarette. Just picture the wee thing with its eyes closed from the smoke and wrinkling up its face at the horrible smell of the fumes. It sounds weird but if you keep that image in your head, you won't smoke.

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kalo12 · 03/06/2009 22:13

smoking is for losers, and its out of fashion.

don't smoke, you are putting formaldehyde into your baby's brain

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madlentileater · 03/06/2009 22:18

every cigarette you don't smoke=more oxygen for your baby ...and less poison

also, it's more oxygen and less poison for you, too.

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19fran76 · 03/06/2009 22:23

I loved smoking but had always hated the sight of pregnant women smoking. So when I found out I was pregnant last year I knew that I had to stop. I read Alan Carrs Easy Way to Stop Smoking, it worked for me. It has also worked for quite a few other ex-smokers I know. Strongly recommend you get a copy

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mrsbabookaloo · 03/06/2009 22:41

Rose blossoms: good for you. Don't worry about the coffee: one thing at a time, and the coffee isn't nearly such a big deal.

Good luck.

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loveandpeace · 03/06/2009 23:07

I too took a test yesterday which said 1-2 weeks! Also trying desparately not to smoke!! Its so hard hence im on mums net ,anything to distract. Its good to know cravings last only 7 mins.

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Cowwomanmoo · 04/06/2009 01:04

Morning sickness has it uses. I could no more have a fag with it then to prod a dirty stick into an open wound. (Good visualisation). When it kicked in.
Keep some old plates handy for smashing.
I keep two emergency fags in the house encase I hear V bad news, like dieing relative, etc. And a packet of mint herbal fags at beginning when people smoke around you.
When you get the urge, imagine blowing smoke into you babies face.
Go cold turkey as if it?s a ruff one down; it will dissuade you more from going back on them again.
Good luck, once your there, the smell of fags that one filled you with delight will make you want to vom.

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Longtalljosie · 04/06/2009 07:49

When I gave up, I found an NHS leaflet really useful - it advised me to avoid situations which I usually smoked in (which is why you swimming was such a good idea). In my case it was drinking tea (I had juice instead which doesn't really go with cigarettes) and going to the pub (not that anyone smokes in pubs these days). But whatever your usual "triggers" are, try to do something else.

Good luck!

PS - oh, and at the end of the month, spend what would have been your fag money on a present for yourself - you'll deserve it!

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Nekabu · 04/06/2009 09:05

Picture yourself at your child's bedside in hospital because it's just been hospitalised with asthma yet again. I know of two children that's happened to.

Lots and lots of luck with giving up!

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bubblesincambridge · 04/06/2009 09:09

Don't smoke!

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oliverboliverbutt · 04/06/2009 09:09

Back in July I had a miscarriage at 11 weeks. I had the occasional cigarette during those weeks.
I will never forgive myself.
Don't smoke. I know how hard it is to stop, but think of your baby and be strong.
I am now 24 weeks pregnant and I will never have another cigarette ever again.

YOU CAN DO IT!

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gemmiegoatlegs · 04/06/2009 09:10

my dh went to the smoking clinic last week and they said something I thought was very interesting - the area in your brain where you have cravings for cigarettes is the same part that has sugar cravings. Therefore, you can satisfy your nicotine cravings with a small dose of sugar (in the short term obviously, i don't think they recommend swapping one craving for another permanently!). They advised dh to buy those glucose tablets and take one every time he needed a cigarette.

I think the idea is you can take control of your cravings until your body is no longer addicted.

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smallone · 04/06/2009 09:11

I think our hosp has a "smoking" midwife, you could see if you can get an early appt with yours if you have one, I'm sure they'll give you all the support you need. GOOD LUCK!

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Hawkmoth · 04/06/2009 10:10

I second that morning sickness will take away your choice in the matter.

I've found it harder, both last time and this, the nearer the baby is to arriving, as different sorts of stress start to mount up.

Then when BFing I didn't want to again.

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mollyroger · 04/06/2009 10:12

tH other thing is if you must have coffee - have it very milky - lattes! as this means there is less caffine.

I also found raw carrot sticks were very good for helping beat cravings. There's something about the crunchyness and shape and you can nibble them which helped the craving pass.

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CuppaTeaJanice · 04/06/2009 11:45

Just think how lovely you'll smell, how wrinkle-free you'll be when you're older, how healthy and energetic you'll feel.

A couple of ideas...

A pregnancy is roughly 40 weeks long. Find 40 horrible smoking-related pictures on google images...diseased lungs, nicotine-stained fingers, an unflattering pic of Dot Cotton etc. Put them all on your fridge door. Each week that you haven't smoked, tear one of the pictures up and throw it away. With any luck by the time you've torn up the last picture you won't want another cigarette.

Put all the money you would have spent on fags into a jar. It's your baby's money now. If you're tempted to buy some, imagine taking that £10 note from your baby's tiny hand.

Good luck!

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