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Smoking while pregnant?

91 replies

Charleney · 12/09/2010 16:08

I unfortunately am a smoker, and im finding it very hard to give up.
Is this common for smokers and does it really affect the baby if you do smoke??

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princesss · 02/12/2011 12:31

hi charleeny,

i am a smoker myself who has given up completely for this pregnancy, and got down to one a day in my first preg after quitting completely then re starting after a car accident when i was 6 months.

i know an alcoholic and a heroin addict both who would not stop their addictions and they went on to have healthy babies once they had been weaned off the drugs at birth. i also have a friend who was an extremely healthy person prior to and in pregnancy who had an unexplained still birth at 8 months :(

my point, is that we cant assume in any way that our pregnancies will all result in healthy babiies and life is not always fair and often cruel. BUT we can have a damn a good go at following health guidelines to give our babies the best possible chance.

it is always your choice as it is your body and your baby, i wish you all the best, stay strong xx

p.s i was 23 when i concieved my first child who was slightly earlier than planned, its was a very steep learning curve indeed!

OTTMummA · 02/12/2011 12:39

disclaimer, i am 26, smoker on and off for 13 yrs, have been smoking 20 a day from march until 2 weeks ago, not had one slip up a few withdrawl symptoms but feel much better now.

OP when you say really what do you mean?
It suggests that you knew the answer to your question yet still asked it, where you hoping people would come on with stories about how smoking didn't harm their baby at all, risks are 'not that serious' etc.
That smacks of immaturity and selfishness, thats why you got strongly worded answers, that, is your own fault, take ownership of that.
I understand quitting an addiction is hard, but it can be done if you want it enough.
I do not personally understand how you can put one more cig into your mouth from the moment you find out, i find the image in my head so repulsive. Maybe i find it easier because i hated being bought up as a child with my mum smoking all day and not being able to get away from it.
Find something that you can refocus yourself on, something positive, take up a hobby that occupies your hands, and seek help from the MW.
Good luck.

likelucklove · 02/12/2011 13:22

Hi Charleney,

I was also a heavy smoker before I found out I was pregnant. I gave up as soon as I found out and while it was easy for the first trimester, I am now finding it harder and oddly, being in hospital made me want one even more! However, the thought of my little girl inhaling those fumes makes me want to be sick, so I would not subject her to that. She's already the apple of my eye so I won't do anything that could harm her.

I don't judge those who do carry on smoking however, as two of my friends did but it isn't worth a thought for me. Any time I get the urge to smoke, I get the scans out and think of smoking and it helps to deal with it.

My midwife was totally surprised I gave up and asked me if I was sure! She said she could give me support and look at prescribing something if necessary. I would say definitely speak to her and see what she says.

BTW, I'm also 22 and 26+4 with a smoker for a DP so the smell makes it worse!

Good luck but you should not be 'guilted' into giving up as it is your decision.

Crosshair · 02/12/2011 13:33

This thread is over a year old btw, I would assume the op is long gone.

KatAndKit · 02/12/2011 13:54

Good luck with quitting, I know it isn't easy. It took me a few tries to be honest, although I did finally give up while still ttc.

Definitely get your fiancé on board. With me and my partner this time we have both succeeded because we both did it together. I just did cold turkey as that worked for me but he needed patches. The nicotine replacement stuff does work if you need it.

Obviously it is most important that you give up. But in the long term, the best thing for the baby will be to live in a non smoking household with non smoking parents. That way he/she will have the best chance of growing up to be a non smoker. As others have mentioned, passive smoking also presents a risk.

I don't want to be rude, but really, everyone these days knows smoking is bad for the baby. No doctor or nurse will tell you it is fine to carry on smoking, and you will get support to stop smoking if you ask for it. Take the first step and ask for the support that is available. You have a much better chance of giving up with help from others than you do of going it alone.

puzzletree · 02/12/2011 13:55

Hi I'm not a smoker, but there is a a big form and info at the front of the maternity notes I got from the midwife, so just be honest when you see her and she should be able to help you with support for cutting down or giving up. Good luck, but with quitting and with the pregnancy!

KatAndKit · 02/12/2011 13:55

Well spotted crosshair. Why on earth has this been dredged up?

Crosshair · 02/12/2011 13:58

New member getting use to the forum. :)

LoveInAColdClimate · 02/12/2011 14:01

mzundastood - I would start a new thread on this, rather than tagging onto an old one.

likelucklove · 02/12/2011 14:01

Ooooh didn't realise thought it seemed a bit long but popped up on active in here Blush Never mind!

LoveInAColdClimate · 02/12/2011 14:04

Ah, thanks.

thornton · 02/12/2011 14:08

I smoked for about a month after i found out i was pg with ds. Smoked for years and years and really enjoyed it. I saw a leaflet with an unborn baby with ciggerette smoke coming out of it's mouth, and I stopped. Just stopped. It wasn't easy, but actualy wasn't too hard either. Your midwife won't judge you, she'll be pleased you bought it up and asked for help! Smoking also deprives your baby of oxygen, which terrified me.
It's all easier said than done tho (and I smoke again now :() so don't beat yourself up too much, ask for help and do your best to stop, it's all you can do. Lots of luck

Dutchie77 · 02/12/2011 16:22

Well done for taking the right decision!! There are loads of people who can help. Just think about your little peanut, and it will be much easier to quit.

I used to smoke a lot and quit just before trying to conceive. It was very hard, and I still dream about smoking, but my baby in my belly doesn't ask for it. Ask your midwife or GP for help and I am sure you will be succesfull

Good luck!!!!!

WiseMenKeepGivingGifts · 02/12/2011 16:33

Keep going! It's not easy and the added stress that you are under won't help. Pick a day, really soon where you can plan something easy but distracting to do without cigarettes and just keep going. Your baby will thank you for it and you will have a much better pregnancy.
Congratulations Smile

MildlyNarkyPuffin · 02/12/2011 16:45

OK. Go back to the doctor. Are you under the care of a psychiatrist? If so, you need to see them. Coming down in steps of greater than 37.5g a week will cause side effects. There are ways to manage them, and there's the possibility of swapping you from your current meds onto something that's more suitable during pregnancy. You need someone who knows their stuff to manage this.

And smoke. I know it's not the best thing, but for your health and well being, don't try to take on too much at once. Try to smoke outside.

Don't panic. Deal with today. You can worry about next week when it comes.

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