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Pregnancy

Talk about every stage of pregnancy, from early symptoms to preparing for birth.

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Original poster

Smoking....

31 replies

Babs10 · 17/03/2015 12:03

I'm really struggling! I smoked 15-20 a day and now that I'm pregnant I've stopped just like that! Has anyone else managed to do it or does anyone still smoke even though they're pregnant? I'm just looking for what other people do. Not wanting criticism! Cheers x

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Stinkylinky · 17/03/2015 12:06

I gave up smoking as soon as I found out I was pregnant, I found it so easy in the beginning but struggled the last few weeks (24 weeks pg today) but I haven't cracked and I'm determined not to!

Number3cometome · 17/03/2015 12:14

DC1 (13 years ago), I broke my fingers, found out I was pregnant went for an xray and was lectured about my smoking and how many babies they have in with breathing problems due to the mum smoking.

Was about 8 weeks pregnant.

Felt terrible, threw cigs in the bin and never looked back.

BooChunky · 17/03/2015 12:15

I gave up smoking as soon as I found out I was pregnant with DD1... It was easy. I never wanted a cigarette because I just knew I couldn't have one.

After she was born I didn't smoke for about 7 months and then I fell off the wagon!

With DD2 we tried for a long time so I quit to help my fertility and didn't smoke, but it was harder. I wanted a cigarette a lot! I smoked about 8 days after she was born and hate myself for it.

itsnotmeitsyou1 · 17/03/2015 12:20

I quit as soon as I found out, but slipped once (a week full of bad news, ended in my workplace closing, out of a job, stress). I've had cravings, I will most likely smoke again after the baby is here, but I just focus on the fact that I have to wait, I don't want to harm the baby.

Catinajar · 17/03/2015 12:38

It's incredibly hard...I gave up smoking when TTC and started smoking an e-cigarette...but then decided that was too much of the unknown for me and gave up entirely. Cue food cravings (not as much weight gain as I would have thought actually) and about 3 weeks of hell...BUT I'm now pregnant and the worst is out of the way. I keep thinking of that little bundle of joy inside me and it makes it all worth it.
My mum smoked all through her twin pregnancy with my little brother and sister so I've seen first hand how people can fall off the wagon! Don't hate yourself for finding it hard. Everyone does xxxx

Original poster

Babs10 · 17/03/2015 12:39

See I know I can't have any and I know I don't have any and I won't be buying any bit the thought of all that makes me want one sooooo badly!!! It also makes me start making excuses like oh it's only 1! I've smoked for the past 4 weeks while I was pregnant (before I found out!) I'm really struggling

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AuntieStella · 17/03/2015 12:46

Stick with it.

It really is worth the struggle. Well done for getting this far!

Thurlow · 17/03/2015 12:53

Well done, you've done enormously well!

It is hard. Really fucking hard. I struggled to quit when I was pregnant, and while I never smoked regularly, I did smoke a bit. Weirdly, especially towards the end.

DD seems fine but I do regret it now and am determined to quit properly before we have any more.

Have you spoken to your mw or your GPs about the antenatal Stop Smoking help? When I did, they said I could use some nicotine replacement if I wanted too when desperate. I have no idea if that is still currently ok so don't want to advise it, but they can help you.

But really, you're doing so well. Remember, if you want one, you wait half an hour and then see how you feel.

Original poster

Babs10 · 17/03/2015 13:02

Not spoken to anyone about it yet. I've not seen anyone either! Found out on Sunday and first appt is on the 30th with the MW. I did smoke about 5 on Sunday, then because I still had a couple left I smoked yesterday and felt mega guilty but I just want one sooooo badly!!! Today at work has gone so slowly as well!

My partner is really helping but it's annoying because he can start and stop when he wants and doesn't get cravings! I want to get a packet and get him to keep it and have like 1 a day!

I'm an emotional person anyway and being pregnant is making it worse and as I type this I wanna burst into tears as I can't smoke!!!!

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DialMforMummy · 17/03/2015 13:03

I also gave up immediately. It's really bad for the baby, maybe you can seek support from your MW or your GP?
Maybe it would be a motivator to read how much harm it can do to your baby? I promise I am not trying to guilt trip you! Take it one day at a time...

Thurlow · 17/03/2015 13:06

It's the first few days. You're massively hormonal and in shock and in withdrawal from nicotine as well.

I know you want one. Trust me, I've been there - and I had that one. I said that first week I was going to have one a day, and then the second week I'd quit.

That did not work out overly well for me.

Stay strong. If you need to (but only if you need to, try not to if you don't have to) get some nicotine replacement. It's not ideal but it's a hell of a lot better than a cigarette.

But it might be worth a call back to the GP and explain that you don't have a mw appt for a while but you really need help quitting smoking. I suspect there might be a separate team you can talk to about that.

Original poster

Babs10 · 17/03/2015 13:06

I know it's not good for baby, but I just keep thinking 1 won't hurt! My sister in low and 1 of my best mates both continued to smoke while pregnant and their babies have turned out great! I know I'm making excuses to have one but I can't help it!

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Thurlow · 17/03/2015 13:08

I've just Googled my trust and it seems the help is through the Stop Smoking service, rather than the midwives - maybe you could find that number and give them a call?

Thurlow · 17/03/2015 13:11

I promise you, I know exactly how you feel - that was my thinking during pregnancy as well. Exactly the same. "Well, so and so had three kids and I don't think she quit properly during any of her pregnancies..."

Some kids are fine after their mums smoke during pregnancy.

But some aren't.

And even now, three years on, my DD gets a bad cough and I sometimes think - did I do that? Did she seem fine, but actually this is a little problem that I caused?

You can do this, you really can. But you need to call your Smoke Free service or your mw and get some support.

Original poster

Babs10 · 17/03/2015 13:12

I think if I had 1 it would remind me of how guilty I feel doing it! I didn't think it would be this difficult, especially because I'm pregnant! I thought it would be easier stopping being pregnant than just stopping! I can't focus at work today because of it!

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ihatelego · 17/03/2015 13:13

maybe it would help as an incentive to look up what happens to your baby when you smoke, there was a good documentary once where they showed how much one fag reduced the oxygen supply to baby i think it was on bbc3 there's probably clips on yt,

Keep going! you've done great so far and it shows you'll be a great mum

PlentyOfPubeGardens · 17/03/2015 13:18

Congratulations Babs and well done on not smoking

When you have your booking in appointment make sure you are honest about your smoking - even if you haven't smoked but are still finding it hard. You should be referred to specialist support which has a relatively good success rate. This can include NRT where appropriate (basically if it's too hard without it).

Meanwhile, there's a thread over in the stop smoking section for March Quitters or you could start your own. You'll get support and encouragement and no judgment

There's a good info page here which includes some helplines.

Delilahfandango · 17/03/2015 13:20

I found that actually imagining the smoke going through the placenta to the baby helped me not to smoke - even the thought of it gave me the guilts. Good luck with it - it is bloody hard!!

ShellyBobbs · 17/03/2015 13:23

I was talking to my midwife about stillbirth rates (I'm an old dog in a higher risk zone). She told me that rates have gone up and a common factor is the mums smoking during pregnancy. No matter how much you struggle, it's really not worth it.

I gave up as soon as I found out I was pregnant 16 years ago. Good luck. x

Original poster

Babs10 · 17/03/2015 14:24

Thanks guys! I just needed help! I'm really struggling today! I'm hoping that when I get home I'll be ok as I always smoke more at work than at home! There is the temptation to go to one of my colleagues and ask for a cigarette that won't leave my mind but then everything you guys have said is also sticking in my head!

I keep chewing gum when I get a craving! I will just need to go to bed super early tonight then when I wake in the morning I'll have done over 24 hours without smoking!!!

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RhiannonElward · 17/03/2015 15:53

Babs you're doing great and I know it's not easy. You just have to take it an hour at a time and it does get easier, when you do this you'll feel like superwoman :)

The first thing I did after getting the positive test with DS1 was light a cigarette, then I remembered myself and put it out. My method was to smoke Lambert White (there is almost nothing in them) when I felt like smoking for a day or two, but when I'd convinced myself I couldn't be having physical symptoms I stopped that and it wasn't too bad. I haven't smoked since and have neither the time or desire.

I wish you the best of luck OP

VisitTheInfidel · 17/03/2015 16:01

The most helpful thing I was told was that the cravings get worse and worse for 3-4 days before tailing off. The hell doesn't go on forever, you just got to survive those first few days. I remember crying myself to sleep on the third night I was so desperate. Woke up the next day and haven't wanted one since (20 years now).

Librarina · 17/03/2015 16:06

Well done on asking here for support, there's some fab advice here. I quit years ago using 'Alan Carr's Easy Way'. It was hard, I won't lie, but I did it and I've stuck with it and now it's hard to think of myself as a smoker (and I loved smoking, really truly enjoyed it).

And if not smoking makes you feel like superwoman, you wait till you've got that little baby in your arms!

Best of luck to you.

scarednoob · 17/03/2015 16:57

well done, you are doing brilliantly! you will be so cross with yourself if you give in now - it's never just one, let's face it.

we need to find you a new vice. maybe chocolate or manicures or fancy shoes?!

Original poster

Babs10 · 17/03/2015 18:22

Omg what a day!!! Now I'm home I'm not too bad, apart from crying my eyes out to my OH for the last 30 mins! I'm now 21 hours not smoked! I even went and did the tesco shop after work and didn't stop at the kiosk to buy sneaky ones! I'm impressed with myself! Its also a bit ironic that on 1 of my other apps the blog today is all about smoking so reading that has made me think twice! I just really hope I can keep it up!!

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