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Original poster

Smoking while Pregnant... (!!)

367 replies

Lornatoo · 25/07/2006 23:33

Hi Guys. Normally a lurker, wondering if anybody is out there....?
My friend (honest!)is 28 weeks pregnant with her 3rd. She's really worried about her small bump. Measured at 26 weeks with the MW. She also feels really small in comparison with the previous two. She smokes heavily, is not without common sence and is REALLY worried about her unborn baby.
Now, do I NEED to point out the obvious? is it necessary? Any other somkers out there? I just don't know if I should 'put the boot in' when I'm sure she knows the answer.......?

OP posts:
SenoraPostrophe · 27/07/2006 19:56

why does everything have to have an explanation though? lots of people are allergic to milk who didn't have any before the age of 2, loads of people are allergic to dust despite not growing up in particularly dusty environmnets, and lots of us had parents who smoked around us but are not allergic to smoke.

courtney88 · 27/07/2006 19:58

yea ok its an addiction, but i still feel its a choice in the sense that you can choose to just continue smoking or give it up.

LilacHamster · 27/07/2006 20:02

Just because it does not cause this problem for everyone who had smoking parents, does not mean it was not the cause in my case. I don't understand what your point is, are you trying to argue that it is OK to smoke in pregnancy and around children because they MIGHT end up OK? It is important for smokers to know how some of us who were brought up in smoky homes end up like Dana, whose site I posted about earlier, she is more damaged than I am. If it is a choice, then it is important they have all the information on what can possibly happen and which of them can say for certain they will not cause their child to get ill? No-one can know it will not be their child so why on earth would any parent take that chance?

SenoraPostrophe · 27/07/2006 20:07

no, I'm trying to argue that it's not the evil that many seem to think it is, and that anecdotal evidence is not the same as scientific evidence.

courtney88 · 27/07/2006 20:08

Everything in life has it's risks, as soon as you walk out the door you are surrounded by risks, but people still take them, just like everything in life, and pregnant woman are well informed of the damage that "could" be caused through smoking!

FairyMum · 27/07/2006 20:08

Yes, but it's a choice which puts you at risk of miscarriage, low birthweight, premature or stillbirth and increases your baby's chances of cot death or getting chronic illnesses such as asthma.

courtney88 · 27/07/2006 20:10

Well whats the cause for all them, when the mother is completely smoke free?

FairyMum · 27/07/2006 20:16

courtney88, I can't say you come across as particularly well informed if you have to ask that question. I don't know if you smoked while pregnant or not, but if a pregnant woman uses the argument you have used on this thread I would just roll my eyes and walk away. I definatly would not waste my time in trying to convince her not to smoke. No disrespect, but you are only 18? I did think you came across a bit like a teenager and then I noticed the 88.

courtney88 · 27/07/2006 20:25

Oh so because i'm only "18" my opinion is not valid! well if thats not disrespect then what is.
You don't come across that well informed yourself as you didn't answer the Q, although that is irrelevent, my point was that all them defects are caused by many other things and could not be proven to be just related to smoking!!!

flutterbee · 27/07/2006 20:26

Everyone keeps ranting on about how selfish smoking parents are causing harm to their unborn baby and causing possible long term effects, yet I bet not one of you is thinking about the future of your child when you get in the car instead of walking or when you waste energy in the home etc etc
Do you all not realise that you too are harming your baby and possibly killing off your childrens childrens children you get warned day in and day out yet you continue to do whatever you want because it is not yet a big enough taboo or concern to you.

I said at the begining of this thread that this would turn nasty and it has, I also said I didn't think the op should tackle her friend on smoking because her friend (now on her 3rd pg) will already know the risks and will be making an informed and educated decision to smoke. This is at the end of the day her choice.

Smoking is a disgusting habit it really is and everyone who smokes knows this (they get it rammed down their throats enough) and if you don't know that it is disgusting then go and educate yourself. Having said that it is each persomd choice and one that will be made only by the individual involved no amount of talking to or pressure can change this a person has to be ready to give up or they will fail.

I by the way am not a smoker.

FairyMum · 27/07/2006 20:33

courtney88, it's about increase in risks. Everyone knows the risks and dangers in smoking in pregnancy. It really shouldn't be necessary to explain this to you that's why I did not answer your question. I am not saying you opinion is not valid because you are only 18, but I think in this case it was quite funny that I realised you were a teenager before I noticed it in your name.
And Ahh...the "but you cross the road and drive a car"-argument always pops up. And that's when I leave the thread I'm afraid. Who can argue against such clear logic. LOL

flutterbee · 27/07/2006 20:45

Fairymum not wishing to start an argument here but you do sound a bit patronising towards courtney88

courtney88 · 27/07/2006 20:47

oh right . obviously an older mum with teenage kids.

FairyMum · 27/07/2006 20:48

Yes, I am.

flutterbee · 27/07/2006 20:48

what fairymum, patronising or an older mum with teenage kids

FairyMum · 27/07/2006 20:54

Not teenage kids no. Just a mum who used to be a smoker, but gave up as soon as I found out I was pregnant because I happen to understand the information given to me about smoking and act responsibly

soapbox · 27/07/2006 23:01

Perhaps I am getting old and have been on MN for way too long - but I am absolutely sure that we have had an OP before who posted saying that her best friend smoked while pregnant and what advice did we have to get her to stop and then lambasted anyone who posted saying that they thought smoking in pregnancy was wrong!

There is a distinct feeling of deja vu for me on this thread

courtney88 · 27/07/2006 23:01

WELL AINT YOU THE "FAIRYMUM"

hunkermunker · 27/07/2006 23:09

Interesting.

At the beginning of the thread, smoking was pretty bad for you and your unborn baby.

Now it's feeding from jars and wearing tight sandals that are worse.

FFS!

Look, smoking when pg is a pretty bloody stupid thing to do. Justify it all you like, it's still not very bright (and you look dimmer for trying to justify it). Smoking at all isn't very clever, is it? Unless there's something witty about emphysema and lung cancer?

hunkermunker · 27/07/2006 23:11

Oh, I know nobody mentioned wearing tight sandals, but the way the thread was going, someone would've done.

Soapbox - have we had this before? (and hello, btw )

soapbox · 27/07/2006 23:15

Hi hunker - I am sure we have - sure I can remember Toothache wading in

flutterbee · 27/07/2006 23:18

I remember a thread like this before, mind you all the smoking threads seem to blend into one.

batters · 27/07/2006 23:21

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

soapbox · 27/07/2006 23:36

Hi Batters Loads of lovely people on MN tonight

Yes, I do feel I've been here too long. I also think I'm getting too old and cranky too! I open threads and rattle off some to the point missive only for a cold rush of air to hit me, and then I delete my reply, muttering under my breath about how parenting is going all to pot!

I do occasionally venture down from my pedestal and think, well maybe I don;t have all the answers, but clamber straight back up again thinking, 'well that might be the case, but equally, I don't have all the stupid question either'

Ah well, perhaps Toothache will be along soon and liven things up for us!

courtney88 · 28/07/2006 00:56

hunker, no offence yeh, but who said smoking was good for unborn babies??