Sitting in a maternity waiting room stinking of smoke

[Climbingahoneytree]

AIBU to think that you shouldn't sit in a maternity waiting room full of pregnant people stinking of smoke? The person I'm thinking about was a man there with his partner.

I know it isn't the same as smoking next to everybody but would you not bring a change of jumper etc if you knew you had to sit next to a load of pregnant people?

I was there today for a test and was asked to wait in the waiting room for 2 hours and do limited movement - other than toilet trips or to get water. Fortunately he wasn't there for as long otherwise it would have driven me mad!

Am I just being petty?
Personally I don't think I'd go in to any area of the hospital stinking of smoke, but that's just me.

It's not ideal but it's not going to do you any harm. I certainly don't he should have taken a spare jumper.

I quit the fags about two years back? But it was only after 6 months that I began to realize how strong the smell of cigarette smoke really is, it humps! and I feel so fucking guilty for all the times I smoked around my husband. People don't realize how antisocial it is it's worse if you don't wash your hands bleurgh. My boss used to get through about 5/6 in work (so not many) and very generously coated herself in Impulse so her Mum wouldn't find out

I assume you're doing a GTT?

I was indeed, not the most entertaining few hours but fingers crossed that all comes back ok! Thank-you

Actually midwives and health visitors recommend to wash hands and brush teeth and to change top/jacket etc also to wait half hour before you go near a newborn baby if you’ve just had a cigarette as the passive smoking risk is so high.

So YANBU.

Plus it’s disgusting but then again smokers are, inconsiderate too.

Surprised that people are calling me a snowflake and boring, I'll happily be a snowflake if it means not wanting to breathe in 2nd hand smoke while pregnant!

But it looks like there's a bit of a divide on this one anyway.

Actually midwives and health visitors recommend to wash hands and brush teeth and to change top/jacket etc also to wait half hour before you go near a newborn

I think it's a stretch to think a baby in utero is at the same risk merely by its mother sitting next to someone who smells of smoke.

But you're not breathing in second hand smoke because he wasn't smoking at the side of you

I think it's a stretch to think a baby in utero is at the same risk merely by its mother sitting next to someone who smells of smoke.

You're probably right, the risk will be lessened, but it's still not ideal imo.

People are also right when they say smokers can't smell it as much.

But you're not breathing in second hand smoke because he wasn't smoking at the side of you

Smoke does cling to your clothes for a while after smoking, so you can still be breathing in somebody else's smoke if they have just had a cigarette. How much of it you can breathe in from being next to somebody, I don't know.

Why though OP?

Not everyone is bothered by the smell of smoke.

Some people are bothered by the smell of garlic/perfume/aftershave/spicy foods and many other smells, especially when pregnant.

Where would the clothes changing end, if you're trying to please everyone?

And what if you didn't like the smell of his fabric softener?

*Why though OP?

Not everyone is bothered by the smell of smoke.

Some peoplearebothered by the smell of garlic/perfume/aftershave/spicy foods and many other smells, especially when pregnant.

Where would the clothes changing end, if you're trying to please everyone?

And what if you didn't like the smell of his fabric softener?*

I was more thinking of that smoke can cling to your clothes and other's can breathe it in that way, rather than specifically the smell.

That said, if he didn't wash his clothes with lenor, I would have made the same thread. (Kidding!)

I don't thnk anybody is disputing how much it stinks but the risk to you and your baby is nil.

YANBU, the smell of stale smoke makes me feel sick. In fact every thing about smoking makes me sick, hate it!

No you aren’t being petty. The staff should have asked him to wait outside. The woman he was with also needs counseling from her medical provider about protecting herself and her child.

I can see where the OP is coming from, it does cling to clothes and there's a reason why we are being warned of the dangers of "third hand smoke" especially around newborns BUT I do agree the affects must be a lot lower for a baby in the uterus, certainly not like inhaling the smoke etc would do.

In a perfect world cigarettes wouldn't exist or be safe and poison free, we wouldn't have to worry at all.

yanbu its still second hand smoke and it still contributes to passive smoking.

I'd be far more concerned about all the traffic fumes I inhaled walking down a busy road if I were you, OP. Apparently they throw the danger of second hand, let alone third hand, smoke into the shade.

Yabu. Lots of people smell unpleasant and you're more aware when you're pregnant, but it won't harm you.

To all the posters claiming the OP is being precious - 3rd hand smoke is actually a health risk.

www.newscientist.com/article/2147549-third-hand-smoke-in-furniture-and-clothes-damages-mouse-organs/amp/

I doubt he meant any harm. I honestly believe that smokers don't realise how bad they smell. With smoking be less acceptable in public places these days it's even more obvious when you are near a smoker - I got in a lift the other day and the women next to me stank! I hid my head in my scarf!

I'm not remotely precious, live and let live and all that but it does bloody stink and smokers do smell, fact!

Especially when it’s been raining and their coat is damp

Yup. Worse than wet dog.

It's bloody grim and massively anti-social anywhere but particularly in/near ante-natal/maternity related areas. YANBU Just grim.

I think it's worse having to sit in a waiting room for your appointment with a room full of happily pregnant woman when you have just lost your baby! And yes this did happen to me a few years back. Now that's what I call insensitive, smelling of cigarette smoke is yuk but at least he is there supporting his pregnant wife/partner!

Nice article about the effect of third hand smoke on mice. Said article also says that casual exposure would have negligible effect. Apparently the mice were exposed 24/7 for months on end.

Unless you went and rubbed yourself all over him you'll probably be ok and even then.....

If you went by car to this appointment then you've breathed in a lot of crap on that journey. Far more harm than a bit of a smell can do.