Smoking at 14 weeks pregnant

[Idontknowwhattodo2]

Please no judgement - I'm judging myself the most already.

So I'm 14 weeks pregnant today and I am still smoking. I have cut down, and I want to give up smoking tomorrow.

Long story short, when I found out at five weeks, I tried to stop smoking by cutting down to 1-3 a day, and then went a week with none. And then Again I went back and had a small amount. And then after that my pregnancy has been nothing but stressful as my partner left me, I have bipolar disorder and I'm having to move, and I've just been so bloody stressed. Two weeks ago I was smoking more (around 8 a day) and last week I managed to cut down to only smoking three days out of the week. I've only had three today and I am adamant about stopping tomorrow because I really don't want to be a smoker beyond 14 weeks. I'm so angry at myself and feel so guilty and know if I have caused my child any damage I will never forgive myself.

I eat well and I don't drink at all (never really have) and I am on safe medication. It's just this horrible smoking I'm going to kick.

My question is - is it okay to quit at 14 weeks? Will my baby still have bad damage?

Thank you x

Does your midwife know? They are there to support you- let them help you.

You already know you MUST stop smoking for your baby, don't let life stress stop your determination to do the right thing.

Op I'm 18 weeks and occasionaly still use an e-cigarette when stressed. It's not ideal but midwife said they're safe and proven to be 95 percent better than a cigarette. Something might be worth looking at to keep you off the cigs

I struggled to give up smoking prior to being pregnant I always said I'd be able to give up for my baby, not that easy! I fount it really really tough so my gp prescribed me a vape as they obviously haven't got all the crap in that fags do and haven't been proven to cause harm to baby plus my midwife knows and is fine with it x

Stopping at any time is better than not stopping at all. Please understand how many risks to your baby are increased by your smoking. My hospital has a pregnancy stop smoking group maybe you can find one to help you. All lives have stresses but I feel the distress you are causing yourself by still smoking and the anxiety it is giving you is only adding to that and you will be giving yourself and your baby a better start if you stop now.

Lots of good advice here already.

This is a link to an article which basically says if you can stop before 15 weeks then most of the negative outcomes associated with smoking are reversed - www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/03/090326215058.htm

Another article I read (which is old) showed that the sooner you stop the less likely it is for the baby to have a low birth weight. For example stopping before 16 weeks was quite a lot better than after 16 weeks.

Stopping now is still good and still much better than continuing smoking. Stopping now might reverse some of the problems associated with smoking.

Please talk to your midwife, they are used to this and can offer lots of help. Good luck!

Seconding all the above but adding in that the most evidence-based way to quit in pregnancy is by using a combo of nicotine replacement (eg a patch and an inhalator) and with support - your GP should be able to help you get some nicotine replacement :)

I'm not sure if they offer this service where you live (they do in Scotland). There's a free stop smoking service run through pharmacies. You go in and ask someone about it and the pharmacist or assistant will take you into a room and go over a plan with you. You pick a day to stop, you decide on your method (chewing gum, patches, sprays etc), they go over coping techniques and also give you the number to a stop smoking line you can call any time. You then go in the designated day to stop and they will supply you with the method you chose to assist you and you've to go back again a few times and discuss your progress, they'll check your BP and reduce the dose of nicotine if needed. It's very helpful. If they offer it where you live, it's worth giving a go

Nicotine replacement, however works for you whether that's a vape or patches
I'm not judging, I smoked for 20 years and only managed to quit with a vape - I haven't smoked since. The first 24hrs were hard and it was practically attached to my face, but once your through that it gets much much easier

Good for you for trying to do the best for your baby . Try not to over think ...just do as much as you can !! Remember that many babies have survived regardless of their Mother’s lifestyle but definitely try and stop smoking Asap..even if for your benefit.Xx

Speak with your midwife they will help you out :) no judgement here you everyone knows your not suppose smoke/drink but some still do that's their choice you want to stop so that's great.. try not to associate smoking with stress it's what alot of smokers do they think having a cig relaxes them when infact it doesnt take that stress away. I'm an ex smoker I couldn't stop during my 1st pregnancy no matter how hard I tried. With my 2nd I smoked for a bit then one day I literally just stopped it is hard but you can do it :) xxx

I second what everyone else said mention it to your MW, see what support there is around and find a suitable alternative that works for you.

I also smoked, but somehow when I found out I was pregnant both times I was able to quit cold turkey. (I think morning sickness helped) But not everybody can, my sister really struggled and smoked throughout both of her pregnancies.

I will say, any amount of cigarettes can cause damage to baby. But that doesn't necessarily mean that it has, or will. Of course none of us would be able to tell you either way. Some hospitals will offer you extra growth scans if they're aware you smoke so they can monitor fetal weight. Which could put your mind at ease a little.

Quitting at any point through pregnancy is beneficial and will be better for you and baby than continuing to smoke.

Really wish you luck and good on you for trying. Don't be too hard on yourself though, remember many people who smoke heavily throughout pregnancy still have perfectly healthy babies. But it does have it's risks, so quitting is best.