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Get updates on how your baby develops, your body changes, and what you can expect during each week of your pregnancy by signing up to the Mumsnet Pregnancy Newsletters.

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Get updates on how your baby develops, your body changes, and what you can expect during each week of your pregnancy by signing up to the Mumsnet Pregnancy Newsletters.

Pregnancy

Smoking

33 replies

Possibleyoungmum17 · 04/05/2017 18:41

Does anyone know why you're told to stop smoking during pregnancy? And what it does to the baby?

OP posts:

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MissBax · 04/05/2017 18:44

I really hope this is somewhat of a joke. No offence if not.
Are you claiming that you don't know the dangers of smoking???

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sonlypuppyfat · 04/05/2017 18:45

Smoking is naughty

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Jen242 · 04/05/2017 18:49

Obviously it can cause respiratory problems for your child in the future.. whatever you eat your baby eats. Same with smoking, if your smoking, your baby's smoking.

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PastysPrincess · 04/05/2017 18:50

If you smoke, your baby smokes. It exposes them to all the chemicals and carcinogens and starves them of oxygen, stunting their growth and doubling the risk of stillbirth.

In case this post is genuine here is a link to NHS website:
www.nhs.uk/conditions/pregnancy-and-baby/pages/smoking-pregnant.aspx

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SelfObsessionHoney · 04/05/2017 18:50

www.nhs.uk/conditions/pregnancy-and-baby/pages/smoking-pregnant.aspx

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GinIsIn · 04/05/2017 18:54

Have a look at this picture, then imagine your lungs were the size of a little fingernail, and work it out.

Smoking

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CherriesInTheSnow · 04/05/2017 18:55

There is no one who can or will ever tell you that smoking is in any way okay during pregnancy, if that's what you're looking for.

It is dangerous, and even if the worst doesn't happen it is still obviously bad for your and your baby's health. A Google search rather than a Mumsnet post would have been far more appropriate and straightforeward to find this information.

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RebelRogue · 04/05/2017 19:02

Because smoking is bad for the baby. Sure,you could have a perfectly healthy baby,but that would be just pure luck and it's quite a big gamble.

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OnNaturesCourse · 04/05/2017 19:48

My Mum smoked in her pregnancy and we are all fine. She however had a heart attack before 50. So even if it doesn't effect the baby... It'll effect them and you when they are older

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arbrighton · 04/05/2017 19:58

Lower birth weight, higher risk of prematurity etc

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MissBax · 04/05/2017 19:58

If people aren't willing to stop smoking in pregnancy, having kids can't be that important to them. Simple.

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krakentoast · 04/05/2017 22:22

No, it's this weird thing! Nobody knows why you're told to stop smoking in pregnancy. It probably does nothing to the baby! And it looks cool, too!

Oh wait, actually it's incredibly dangerous and stupid:
www.nhs.uk/smokefree/why-quit/smoking-in-pregnancy

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Hannabee123 · 05/05/2017 06:36

I'm an ex smoker - seriously pack in the fags / tobacco. It's so very harmful for your baby and yourself. All you need to do is be off them a couple of weeks to tell how bad it makes you feel. If you need support go to the nhs quit smoking. Most gps do appointments with a qualified nurse. They can prescribe things to help but you have to do it for yourself and for the life developing inside of you.

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ImYourMama · 05/05/2017 07:08

If you want to smoke in pregnancy. You're not ready to be a fucking parent.

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OnNaturesCourse · 05/05/2017 07:43

People saying OP isn't ready to be a parent need to lay off. 😟😡

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WhatsGoingOnEh · 05/05/2017 07:47

I know smoking during pregnancy is bad, in terms of lowering oxygen levels in the blood, and carrying toxic chemicals.

But it's not going to give the baby smokers lungs, is it? The mother - yes. But unborn babies don't breathe in smoke.

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AlletrixLeStrange · 05/05/2017 07:55

Anything that goes into your blood stream goes into babies blood via the placenta.
It's mainly the lack of oxygen that'll effect the baby, this can effect growth and development of vital organs, this subsequently leads to low birth weight, premature birth, a higher risk of needing longer hospital aftercare and an increased risk of SIDS.

P.S I never know when the use effect vs affect, please don't judge me

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CherriesInTheSnow · 05/05/2017 08:28

Smoking increases the risk of low birth wait, Sudden infant Death Syndrome and stillbirth. Just because they won't have the lung damage of an adult who's been smoking for 20 years doesn't make it any less harmful to baby.

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PastysPrincess · 05/05/2017 08:42

Smoking whilst pregnant wont go directly into the babys lungs BUT if you do smoke in pregnancy it's likely you'll smoke around a newborn and that smoke WILL end up in the babys lungs. Even second hand smoke coming off your clothing is dangerous to a newborn baby.

It's dangerous to the baby before birth and it will continue to be dangerous to your baby after they are born.

Please Please go to your GP and get support to quit.

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Littlelegs19 · 05/05/2017 08:44

I smoked for around 10 years and found out I was pregnant and stopped immediately. It's not my body any more.
My DS and SIL both smoked through their pregnancies and their children are always ill and have terrible respiratory problems. I'm sorry but If you can't stop smoking for the sake of your baby, your not responsible enough

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MissBax · 05/05/2017 09:05

OnNaturesCourse you can't expect people to "lay off" when this point is raised. Most of us on this thread have children or are pregnant ourselves and our baby's welfare and health is the most important thing in our lives. We can't pussy foot around subjects because we might offend someone when it comes to the health of our children. We have to start telling people it is wrong to smoke / drink / take drugs in pregnancy. There's no if, buts or maybes. My gut instinct is this poster is a troll or intentionally setting out to rattle people. There's no way they aren't aware of the dangers of smoking.

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MissBax · 05/05/2017 09:09

LittleLegs Well done! 👏👏 one of my best friends was such a heavy smoker and had tried to quit so many times to no avail. As soon as she found out she was pregnant it was instant. She said that she hasn't even struggled because she knows her baby is so important. If finding out your pregnant isn't enough to make someone quit, they aren't ready to be a parent. It's about putting your children's needs before your own.

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lifesjoys · 05/05/2017 09:16

But it's not going to give the baby smokers lungs, is it? The mother - yes. But unborn babies don't breathe in smoke.

Is this a joke??

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lifesjoys · 05/05/2017 09:21

I smoked for 12 years, day I found out I was pregnant, I quit cold turkey.

To anyone who smokes in pregnancy......there are NO excuses!

My ex left me, I felt pretty low in terms of life itself, I had major issues at work, was told I was having to move home. Did I pick a cigarette up & use the excuse of "but I'm really stressed out"?

Nope, wasn't just my body anymore, it was my baby's. you wouldn't smoke in someone else's home if they didn't want you to so don't smoke in someone else's body too.

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MrsGB2225 · 05/05/2017 09:23

You should stop smoking now. At your booking in appointment they make you do a breathalyser so your midwife will know you have been smoking.

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