Did you start smoking again after pregnancy? Given up and struggling!

[Newmummytobe79]

Hi - apologies in advance if anyone is ready my posts today - what a miserable c*w I sound! (Usually very upbeat and sunny :))

I've given up smoking and it's sooooooo hard but I refuse to smoke when my baby doesn't have a choice.

I'd love to think that this is it and I'll never smoke again ... but as it was not 'my' decision to give up ... and how hard I'm finding it ... I can imagine going back to it afterwards.

Please don't think bad of me - I was a light smokers, who went outside and actually hated the smell ... but boy do I miss it!

I know if someone said to me, that for one afternoon I could sit in a beer garden, have an ice cold glass of white wine and a cigarette ... I'd jump at the chance!

Anyone else feeling the same?

x

Well done for giving up! I've never smoked but can understand the sitting in a beer garden and ice cold glass/bottle of wine. Try and concentrate on getting through the pregnancy not smoking and don't give a thought to the after pregnancy smoking. You could be putting too much pressure on yourself and then you're more likely to give in. I know it's easy for me to say but maybe just set yourself small achievable goals rather then thinking to far down the line. Are you struggling alone or are there any support groups near you to help you? Goodluck

I quit when I found out I was pregnant with DS, the same day I got the positive result, I was also an outside smoker and had around 10-15 a day. I missed it at first but as the pregnancy went on the cravings got less and I got out of the habit - the cravings were easy compared to the habit, if you know what I mean?

By the time DS was born I hadn't smoked in just over eight months and by that point I didn't want to, I just wanted to snuggle with my little boy and live a long, healthy life with him. He's 18mo and I'm still on the wagon. There's days where I miss it but it's short-lived, when I had a mmc last year I have never wanted a cig so badly and days like today where it's warm and sunny and I pass a beer garden. But the urge passes quickly and I remind myself that I don't really want one, it's just an old habit and I've worked too hard to go back to it now (not that I could, pregnant again).

Speak to your doctors surgery, they should have a smoking cessation programme, usually run by the nurse. They'll be able to offer you loads of support and advice and patches and things if you need them (the prescription will be free with pregnancy exemption too).

Don't think of it as "I haven't had a cigarette for xx-days", think of it as "I am a non-smoker today, I was yesterday, hopefully I will be tomorrow too". Find something to do with your hands and head, that helped me loads, I bought a crossword book and every time I got the urge I opened it up and did a puzzle, by the time I finished the urge would have passed. A glass of water helped too or stepping outside for five minutes to get fresh air. I know this one sounds silly, but I needed something to do with my mouth too. DH had some rude suggestions but I ignored him and bought myself some cheap dummies from the chemist. When I wanted a cig, I'd suck my dummy (at home only, it looks weird in Asda) and it would help.

Good luck, you can do it!

I gave up whilst pregnant with my DD (now 8). I did struggle but actually found it easier once she was born, she was so little and new, I just couldn't bear to breathe smoke on her, especially after I read that you exhale carbon monoxide for over an hour after a cigarette (and gave my ex DH a very hard timne too.
I did start again 3 years later, but this was due to emotional stress. I gave up again 2-3 years ago and don't miss it at all!
Good luck!
S x

Well done hon. I also gave up smoking when I found out I was pg. I haven't touched a single drag and I was quite a heavy smoker too.

It will get easier I promise! How long have you been off the fags now? I ave up 7th Nov...

Thank you all for your kind words and support... I expected a lot of abuse! I'm doing so well (one 1/2 a fag glitch that I'll never forgive myself for!) but apart from that I'm doing well :) I love your dummy idea! Especially as I didn't have one as a child and remember feeling left out! hehehe x

Had my last one the day I found out I was pg - Oct 22nd. And I feel your pain! However, all I can say is it gets easier. And at nearly seven quid a packet now, boy have I saved money! Really hoping I too won't go back when little one comes. Stay strong and good luck!

Via a rather random (but convenient) coincidence I actually gave up smoking about 3 weeks before I found out I was pregnant, I haven't had one since finding out, but I do sometimes get the urge and wonder if I'd still be given up if I hadn't been pregnant and if I'll manage to stay a non-smoker once I'm not pregnant, particularly when I start drinking again.

I would say forgive yourself for the 1/2 a fag, life is too short to be so hard on yourself, ok so it wasn't ideal but I'd assume that because it was 1/2 you realised that you shouldn't really be smoking and it's one slip up, and because of the way that the addiction works stopping is really difficult even when you have the best reason in the world.