Are the symptoms I'm feeling due to pregnancy or quitting smoking?

[Jummynbean]

I recently found out that I am pregnant and I am fortunate enough to be able to quit smoking instantly. I have an increased appetite, but don't know if this is because my hunger is no longer being suppressed or because I'm growing a person. I am 5 weeks pregnant, which I feel may be too soon for increased appetite, and I have quit for 3 days. I don't want to gain weight unnecessarily, but I also don't want to deprive the child. Is there anyone else that used to smoke before pregnancy that can share experiences?

Does it matter?

And most importantly well done for stopping smoking. You should be proud.

Maintain a good healthy diet. Eat a little extra if you are hungry but keep an eye on your weight gain.

Thank you for the reply, the only reason it matters is for vanity unfortunately, in the grand scheme no it doesn't, but don't want to put on extra weight if I can avoid it. X

I’ve always been starving in early pregnancy. Try to eat healthy food to fill you up rather than junk and it shouldn’t cause too much weight gain

I meant does it matter if it’s the pregnancy or the quitting smoking causing the increase in appetite. In the first trimester try not to eat too much additional to what you usually would and you should be ok.

Huge congratulations on quitting! It could well be the pregnancy but that doesn't mean you'll be harming the baby by not eating more (unless you're very underweight, in which case your body will want you to build up your fat stores quickly) BUT I'd be careful of trying to do too much now - it sounds silly but lots of studies have shown willpower is a finite resource that we can 'use up' so I'd let myself have treat foods if I were you for now, as you're going to feel a bit grumpy and a bit deprived with the nicotine withdrawal. Hungry AND craving nicotine is a really bad combination so just let yourself eat until you're not hungry - in a few weeks you can try and cut down if you do think you're overeating but right now concentrate on quitting as that's so, so important for your baby.

Better to be fat than smoke. Eat the food, stay off the cigarette, worry about it when the cravings have stopped.