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

Original poster

Giving up smoking in pregnancy

53 replies

SparklyGothKat · 09/04/2007 09:10

I don't want to be judged, and please don't leap on me. I am 9 weeks and really want to give up smoking. I know the risks of smoking and benifits of giving up. I have phoned the NHS helpline but they are closed atm. I have found a list of providers in my area and have found a few chemists that seem to offer the service, but am unsure if that what it means. I want to do this tomorrow, but know I will find it hard without help. Do chemists normally offer this service?

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skirmish · 09/04/2007 09:11

most chemists offer this service now and are really helpful

ScoobyDooooo · 09/04/2007 09:13

Your brave

Could you not use the patches instead for a bit, i think phoning the number is a good start, i think there is groups you can go to to help you through. Not sure about the chemists though but hopefully someone else ca help you.

goodluck

Original poster
SparklyGothKat · 09/04/2007 09:19

do the chemists give NRT out too? I will get them free as am on benifits, but I need to go today to get some help. I can't do this without help unfortunately (I tried in january and failed)

OP posts:
skirmish · 09/04/2007 09:23

yes, chemists can give out patches on prescription so you'd be fine. They also give you loads of booklets, dairy etc, and have you come in for regular co2 testing, so they know if you are 'cheating' as such, which is a good incentive for a lot of people.

good luck, it is hard, but it is worth it

Original poster
SparklyGothKat · 09/04/2007 09:27

Re; The Co2 testing will people smoking around me affect that?? Dh smokes (and will not give up till he wants to, subton (sp?) mule) and lots of friends and family smoke too.

OP posts:
skirmish · 09/04/2007 09:29

i think it would affect a tiny amount, but not enough to cover up if you had a fag yourself...will they stop smoking around you because your pregnant though?

charNbump · 09/04/2007 09:31

i thought you weren't meant to use NRT when pregnant? In fact, i'm certain your not.
Good luck Sparklygothkat - i REALLY hope you can do it. I failed miserably and am still smoking 2 a day am 39 weeks now. I tried so hard but really wasn't easy with dp still smoking too. I cut down from 20 a day though. SENDING HUGE GD LUCK VIBES TO YOU!!!!!

skirmish · 09/04/2007 09:33

you can use nrt when pg...it's no worse than smoking, better as only has nicotine, so if you are serious about it, it's better to be on patches than smoking

sarahsbump · 09/04/2007 11:03

I read that using NRT in pregnancy is WORSE because your body is recieving a constant supply of nicotine rather than just a 'quick blast'

Nowadays when you have your booking in appointment the MW will talk you through the dangers and they can put you in touch with counsellors who deal just with pregnant women who want to quit I think it was called fresh air babies.

willywonkasEgghunt · 09/04/2007 11:16

Went cold turkey for this pg and still have strong cravings, even at 22 wks , especially with the summer nights - oh for a pint and a drag on a cig...

From experience of using NRT in the past (when not pg) I found that gum was preferable to patches, largely because you have more control over it and can keep it only for when you need a "hit" rather than having a constant feed of nicotine in your system. If using patches, definitely don't go for the 24hr ones because they trigger really vivid dreams with the nicotine stimulating your brain whilst you're asleep - and it's not as if you'd smoke during the night normally?! Wishing you the very best of luck cos I really do understand how difficult it is

mmelody · 09/04/2007 14:16

I too am an ex smoker... Am 24 weeks and gave up at around 7 weeks. I would agree with wilywonka and say that the best NRT to use is the gum as it allows you to control how much nicotine you are using. In the end though I went cold turkey and found it to be the easiest way. I was told by GP and midwife that NRT was ok as less harmful than smoking due to all the other chemicals you are inhaling.

I still crave now and then.. I know what you mean about those summer eves..I would sell my soul for a pint of stella and 20 lambert and butler But I thought to myself 'if I don't give up now then I will never find the willpower'

I was a 10-20 a day smoker for 20 years. its tough but I am so glad I have done it as I never managed it on DD1 aged 11.

Good luck

WideWebWitch · 09/04/2007 14:18

Go and buy Allen Carr's Easy Way to Stop Smoking. Worked both times for me, I last smoked 4 years ago, gave up when pregnant with dd, I know it's hard.

Firepile · 09/04/2007 14:31

It is better to use patches than smoke when pregnant - the damage from smoking in pregnancy comes from the carbon monoxide and other poisons that you are breathing in with the smoke as well as the nicotine. Patches mean that you're not breathing those in. They are now licensed for prescription to women when they are pregnant.

I'd recommend getting in touch with your local stop smoking service - lots of places have specialist services for pregnant women. Your GP or MW should be able to give you contact details.

Good luck!

zookeeper · 09/04/2007 14:34

Allen carr stopped me (but not before I'd stupidly smoked throught three pregnancies)

You can get patches and gum on prescription but I don't know if you can take them whilst pregnant.

Perservere - it's lovely not smoking!

good luck

Winestein · 09/04/2007 14:34

Another vote for Allen Carr.

I was reading it and then found out I was pregnant.
Haven't smoked since (DS is 2.4)

Anyway - congratulations Sparkly, and well done for thinking about giving up smoking

bigyellowchicken · 09/04/2007 14:42

SGK - I just wanted to give my heartfelt congratulations to you on being brave enough to admit that you are smoking and I'm sending you tons of virtual support for stopping. I know what a social stigma it can be (I smoked whilst pg and even when I cried through guilt I still couldn't stop)
Good Luck!!

zookeeper · 09/04/2007 14:45

A high percentage of women do apparently

Katy44 · 09/04/2007 14:47

SGK congratulations on your pregnancy, and good luck giving up smoking.

booge · 09/04/2007 14:53

Good luck, I gave up when pregnant with DS, if you go cold turkey it does get easier quite quickly.

lazyemma · 09/04/2007 15:00

another vote for cold turkey - I think all the other methods make giving up so much more daunting and complicated than it really needs to be. Good luck though, with whatever route you take.

scorpio1 · 09/04/2007 16:29

i vote for cold turkey too-painful for a couple of days, then its gone-hopefully forever.

its great you want to stop

SenoraPostrophe · 09/04/2007 16:39

good luck sparkly.

it is hard, but you can do it. it will be much easier if you can persuade your dh to give up too though (I know - I've given up in pregnancy twice). Can you at least make him hide his fags and only smoke outside?

SenoraPostrophe · 09/04/2007 16:40

[also I wanted to say that alan carr is a sanctimonious old windbag]

exercise helps a lot - long walks and such.

imreadyforababy · 09/04/2007 16:48

HI SPK

I'm 13 weeks prg and gave up smoking as soon as i found out - i went for the cold turkey method and it was hard - i didn't smoke many a day i would have called myself a social smoker!! My friend is giving up at the moment and she is using the patches and is finding it much easier than i did - she smoked roughly 15 a day so the patches do work - i think its whats best for you.

I feel great now i'm stopped and feel like i have already done something good for my baby!! (Silly i know)

Good luck and keep us posted about how it goes

zookeeper · 09/04/2007 17:25

din't Allen CArr die of lung cancer recently?