Pregnant and Nicotine

[NottingHill12]

Hi
I know this is highly controversial and I don’t want to offend anyone so i apologise in advance if I do.

I have quit smoking about 2 years ago but I’ve never managed to quit the nicotine gum. I am pregnant in my first trimester and I know I should stop but it’s so hard. My level of addiction is dreadful really and I hate myself for being so weak and not able to completely go cold turkey.

I am trying to reduce as much as I can but I am so worried... did any of you have the same problems? What did you do?

I won’t see a midwife for some weeks yet so there is no one that i can talk to and my gp wasn’t really fussed about it (but then again my gp is pretty shit to be honest)

Don't worry, nicotine isn't harmful (to you or your baby) so if the gum is the only thing keeping you off the cigarettes then chew away.

Sorry, just to add... if you have been off cigarettes for 2 years then it might be the physical chewing that has become habitual rather than the need for nicotine. Try swapping the nicotine gum for another strong flavoured chewing gum like airwaves and see how you get on x

The gum is not going to harm the baby so please don't worry. Well done for quitting and as a PP said, maybe try normal gum 🙂

I was using a vape before getting pregnant, went on to gum and did manage to stop. I had only smoked lightly before and appreciate it is difficult so no judgement if you can't stop. My understanding is gum can be prescribed for women who smoke to stop them smoking and is considered safe in pregnancy - probably why your GP is not fussed. You might read some things online about nicotine still being dangerous in pregnancy - if you do, just know that these seem to be based on a study done on rats who already had a serotonin deficiency. So basically there is a long way to go before saying this is applicable to people. The official NHS stance is gum is fine. If you can manage to stop, then great even if you just save money on the gum. So I wouldn't give up hope of stopping!

Nicotine isn't harmful, it's just addictive. It's all the rest of the crap in cigs that does the damage.

I wouldn't worry, but if you want to stop. Follow the instructions and only have one when you're supposed to. I'm the same with the lozenges. It's much better than not smoking though.

Technically nicotine is a poison and can be lethal - but only in large quantities.

Congratulations on your pregnancy,
Also well done for stopping smoking, please don't give yourself a hard time, you're not weak. You've done so well so don't beat yourself up about the gum. Stopping smoking is extremely hard and you've taken a massive stride.
As pp have said maybe try and swap the nicotine gum for another strong flavoured one, maybe try and substitute every other piece.
It will get easier, I can definitely promise you that it will get easier. I've stopped smoking after 46 years, that's probably longer than you've been alive! Breaking the habit is very hard but you're way ahead now.
My very best wishes to you.