to wonder if it’s acceptable to smoke whilst pregnant?

[Lovemypeaceandquiet]

Just seen a heavily pregnant woman in town, smoking away whilst taking a break in her shopping.

Also knew a girl at work who was a frequent visitor to the smoking area to the very end of her pregnancy.

I thought it’s commonly known how harmful smoking is for unborn babies.

Is it due to ignorance or negligence? And why is it socially acceptable, unlike drinking or drug using in pregnancy?

Of course it's not acceptable.

I don’t find it acceptable.

I really don’t think it is socially acceptable. I actually can’t remember the last time I saw a pregnant woman smoke!

Why do you think it is acceptable?

Do you really think any one on MN is going to say it's acceptable?

Or do you want 10 pages of anti smoking frothing?

Well clearly you know is not acceptable or you wouldn't have posted.

Even the people doing it know it's not acceptable.

It’s not socially acceptable, hadn’t been for at least 30 years-but it’s also none of our business. It’s up to her midwives to lecture her. She is also opening herself up to being on social services radar.
Anyone that smokes while pregnant isn’t just putting the baby at risk of SIDS, they’re also more likely to smoke in the house and car-which is now illegal with babies and children

I don't know anyone who thinks it acceptable.

I don't think it is any more acceptable than drinking. Most ppl just mind their own business and choose not to say anything. The individuals obviously know the risks but choose to ignore them coz they want a fag or a drink.

I worked with a lady who used to keep fags in her desk drawer. She wld say I'm off for a fag if any of my family phone tell them at the toilet! She was a couple of weeks away from being due, said she was addicted and needed a wee fag now and then 🤷🏻‍♀️ it felt so wrong to me and a bit shocking but I've also known others to have the odd drink or more! A lot of ppl wldnt admit to it.

You know it's not socially acceptable, don't be so sanctimonious!

It's really not acceptable.

I don't think I know anyone who smokes anymore.

Nobody thinks it is acceptable. You know that.

How sure are you that she was pregnant?
Thanks to diastasis recti I currently look around six months pregnant so I'm sure I'd raise some eyebrows if someone saw me smoking.

You are judging away - on what planet do you think it's socially acceptable?

Many many women who smoke in pregnancy do so because they are addicts. I have heard that some do so because they are told it will mean they have a smaller baby and therefore an easier delivery (I was in a pre-labour ward with a woman who wanted to be induced at 35 weeks because she didn't want the baby to get any bigger before it came out). Some think that "they" are using "science" to control pregnant women.

There are a million reasons why women smoke in pregnancy. Doesn't make it socially acceptable. You posted on here. I'm sure 95% of people who walked passed her also judged her.

Not any more, but it used to be.

When it started to become frowned upon, people used to say 'my midwife advised me that stopping would be more harmful to the baby, due to the stress'.

I imagine a few did, but not that many

I don't like smoking full stop, but it's still the woman's right to choose though

Some hospitals check at your booking appointment and offer smokers support through their pregnancy.
I don't smoke but I still had to do the test!
I actually feel very sorry for smokers in that situation. It must be hell to deal with an addiction and pregnancy.

Taking heroine during pregnancy is also not acceptable but sadly some women do it

I see far more pregnant women drinking than I do smoking. There have been loads of threads on here with women defending drinking alcohol when pregnant.

DH is in hospital at the mo and the car park for his ward is also the maternity ward bit.
I am visiting him twice a day, anyway my point is EVERY single time there are heavily pregnant women and visitors smoking outside the entrance.
My guess is that if they are ready to have the baby they think it's better than smoking in the early stages? Or maybe they never stopped

Not your circus, not your monkeys.

What a ludicrously faux-naive thread title.

Have you considered skipping MN and going straight to bear baiting?

It isnt anymore socially acceptable than drinking alcohol is in pregnancy but that in itself isnt going to stop people doing it.

HinchcliffeandMurgatroyd 😂😂

It's not illegal. What can you do?

Everybody knows that smoking while pregnant can be hugely damaging. People make their choices. Nicotine is highly addictive.

I would support pregnant women struggling to stop getting nicotine replacements on prescription because of all the dangerous stuff that's in fags, nicotine is probably the least harmful. Its the carbon monoxide, formaldehyde, tar and so on that's doing the real damage.