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Original poster

smoking and pregnancy

42 replies

ttcnads · 10/06/2023 04:56

hello ladies, im not looking for judgement - just a serious advice.

Im about 3 weeks pregnant and found out 7 days before AF - I've cut down on my cigarette in take but finding it really hard to stop completely.. so far levels are doubling and line progression looking good.. but can't help but worry...

what are some tips I can use to quit =[ its like my body keeps asking me to have one and I cannot fight it.. I know its super selfish and I hate this but I am stuck and don't know what to do..

OP posts:
Dotcheck · 10/06/2023 05:00

Perhaps talk to your midway about the side effects of smoking on an unborn baby.

Perhaps imagine every time you have a cigarette, smoke is being blown in your baby’s face and in her mouth. Or imagine her chewing on a cigarette butt- every time you smoke.

Best of luck

MrsTerryPratchett · 10/06/2023 05:49

so far levels are doubling and line progression looking good

All this means is you are looking at very basic information about one of the risks, miscarriage. Which impacts you. You're the one who would have to live with a miscarriage.

The other risks, heart, brain and lung damage, low birth weight, cleft palate, affect the baby more than you. The baby will have to live with these effects for life.

I know how hard it is, I gave up. Get some support to do it, work out what your triggers to smoke are, work out how to cut down every day, spend as much time as possible in places you can't smoke. Talk to your HCP about it.

NoodleQueen90 · 10/06/2023 06:06

I quit vaping before we started ttc and it was really tough, particularly as I wfh and could sit and vape all day, there were a lot of nicotine cravings! Every time I had a craving, I ate a fruit mentos sweetie to keep my mouth busy. I pretty much ate them constantly for a week or 2 and put weight on but it distracted me enough until the cravings were manageable. I'm 5 months down the line, 3 months pregnant and so happy that I quit!

hauntedvagina · 10/06/2023 06:10

You can fight it. It's a craving, not a demand.

When my cravings were bad, I'd ask myself what would change if I had a cigarette. The answer is nothing, nothing changes. I don't magically feel better and the craving doesn't go away, because I'd be immediately craving the next one. It was this mindset that allowed me to stop.

shortandpaleandoldandugly · 10/06/2023 08:12

It takes very few days of not smoking to stop the craving OP. Those few days could have a significant impact on the rest of your child's life. You are a mum to be now. It's not all about you.

Tryingtoconceivenumber2 · 10/06/2023 09:42

I'm not sure if you can use nicotine patches when pregnant but you can get them free from the pharmacy and also support to stop.

A family member gave up smoking using these after 40 years of smoking and has now been a non smoker for years. They found it fairly easy and didn't seem like they were desperate for a cigarette all the time x

Ollifer · 10/06/2023 09:55

I quit smoking when I found out I was pregnant. I really struggled but you have to think of the baby - being a parent is about accepting it's not only your own needs/wants to take into consideration, it's your child's. You need to ask your midwife/gp for help, they will be pleased that you are engaging with them and want to quit. It's really tough but you can do it. And I've never looked back, my daughter is 5 now and I would never go back to being a smoker.

ChilliHealer · 10/06/2023 10:36

The thing with smoking is that it's so interwoven with every aspect of life, so it's hard not to be reminded of it - every place, emotion, activity could have an association with smoking. So it's really hard to quit!

I've heard good things about hypnotherapy, but would recommend seeing your gp or speaking to the midwife about options.

Congratulations on your pregnancy and best of luck quitting the cigarettes for good.

Farcry66 · 10/06/2023 10:39

I used nicotine gum for the first 3 weeks after finding out I was pregnant, now I don't use anything at all. Vaping is much better for you than smoking, it's a good tool to help you step down. But if you talk to your midwife, they are able to support you with smoking cessation advice.

Thingsthatgo · 10/06/2023 10:41

Imagine that your baby has an issue that could have been caused by you smoking. You will never know for sure if you could have prevented it.
I know it's hard, I am also an ex smoker as is my husband. We both quit so we could have a family together. It is worth it.

DrJump · 10/06/2023 10:44

I found sucking on lollipops helped. I gave up just over 12 years ago. I was a few weeks pregnant. I am so glad I gave up. I am happy and healthy. We have more cash.
You can do this.

Nicecow · 10/06/2023 10:49

Try Alan Carr's book, The Easy Way. While you have your smoke, consciously really think about it, I bet you won't want more than a couple of puffs, if any.

arlequin · 10/06/2023 11:01

OP I'm sorry to say my DH has long term breathing issues probably cause by his mum smoking in pregnancy.

Make sure you and DP if relevant have none in the house. Then watch a video about the effects on your baby every time you crave one.

arlequin · 10/06/2023 11:04

www.tommys.org/pregnancy-information/im-pregnant/smoking-and-pregnancy/what-happens-when-pregnant-woman-smokes
There's a video here you could watch every time

brightblueskies80 · 10/06/2023 11:06

Agree with trying Alan Carr's book. It's really clever as you have to smoke all the way through it, and by the end you're psychologically ready to quit x

Newmom054 · 10/06/2023 11:08

Honestly, I'm not telling you to smoke, but I know quite a few people who smoked a little while pregnant.
For my first pregnancy, I didn't even know I was pregnant, yet I was smoking and drinking, especially on weekends. Once I found out I was pregnant a second time, I just stopped smoking as it is what's best for you and baby.
Maybe try nicotine patches, try and distract yourself too. You can try fidget spinners or other handheld things or chewing gum or toothpicks, but be careful.
You'll do what's best because pregnancy is stressful enough, you don't also want to be stressing about whether your smoking is hurting baby.

Inkypot · 10/06/2023 11:15

My first baby had many difficulties due to pre eclampsia. I didn't smoke but the effect is similar- the umbilical cord calcifies and this makes it so much harder for your baby to get enough oxygen and nutrients as it's harder for the blood to flow through the cord. It directly impacts your child every single time.
I felt so much guilt, worry and concern for my baby and there was nothing I could've done to prevent it. If I'd smoked and had these effects I don't think I could've lived with myself knowing there was something I could've done to make things easier on my unborn baby. They are entirely reliant on you for everything at the moment, so why add smoke and health issues onto them when it can be avoided.
Not meant judgy, genuinely couldn't put a baby through that.

CC222 · 10/06/2023 11:24

You can get help with the nhs stop smoking service who can give you various ways to help stop smoking, contact your GP or speak to a local pharmacist about it.
I gave myself a month deadline to quit when I found out I was pregnant. I cut down from 10 a day to 5 in the first week, then from the 2nd week I limited myself to 3 a day maximum, gradually I got to the point where I could have one or even none a day. And when it came to the deadline I found it easier because I had 'prepared' myself for it.
Good luck, you can do it! 🤞🏻

Original poster
ttcnads · 10/06/2023 11:49

yes, its not a demand!! I have control.. so true, thank you!

OP posts:
Original poster
ttcnads · 10/06/2023 11:50

so true...

OP posts:
Original poster
ttcnads · 10/06/2023 11:53

thank you ladies for all your advice.. im gonna try to cut these 3 down to 1 and then 0 by Monday( expected af) its all about the mindset so I know I got this!!!

OP posts:
arlequin · 10/06/2023 13:51

@ttcnads that's amazing well done. We are all behind you on this

Goblet93 · 10/06/2023 17:31

Best of luck! I personally have found that the morning sickness put me straight off vaping, I went down to 0mg when I found out and the first week was the hardest with nicotine withdrawals. Now the thought of it makes me 🤢 and I’ve stopped completely now

Original poster
ttcnads · 10/06/2023 21:38

@arlequin thank you!! I love the support you guys are great!! tbh I don't really tell anyone im struggling with this because I don't want to be judged but wow, the internet really helps!! I already reduced my intake today so far =]

@Goblet93 I hope to be able to feel the same way!! to be sick of it and let it go forever!! even after baby

OP posts:
Parkandpicnic · 10/06/2023 21:49

Ask for a referral to the smoking cessation team, all the evidence is you’re much more likely to stop with their support. Some maternity services even have a specialist in house team just for pregnant women but all trusts will have a service they can refer you to. You might not have had your first midwife appointment yet but can ask GP for an urgent referral to their service in the meantime. Smoking in pregnancy significantly increases the risk of both stillbirth and cot death so really is worth stopping as soon as possible