Smoking while pregnant

[Eimz]

I am really beating myself up about the smoking. I am currently 18weeks pregnant and smoker , since I found out I was pregnant I have really cut back a lot. I do not smoke a full cigarette I ask my partner or friends for a couple of drags.. all day in work I don't smoke it's just when I'm home. Does anyone know how truly harmful this is for the baby? I know people who smoked during pregnancy a lot more then me.. I know I cant justify my smoking but I really am only taking pulls and then literally downing a gallon of water to try make myself feel better :(
I've loads going on I've failed my driving test and an exam I was doing and my partner is between jobs and my mam is fighting with me and sometimes I just need the odd drag or two too calm me down

@NameChange30

Obviously not. I wouldn't exactly plan to bring my baby into a household full to the brim of smokers who have only just started smoking outside. The stench of second hand smoke must be appaling. Imagine the SIDS risks already. Nevermind the fact it's January, plenty of cold months left. They'll soon be smoking indoors when the snow comes. And inhaling second hand smoke every day... no thanks.

So, to answer your question, no, I don't. I made sure I lived with a partner who doesn't smoke so that my house isn't a SIDS warzone.

Get yourself a decent vape and make your own liquid, then you can control how much nicotine goes into it. Better without nicotine though ofc. You can do this!

Shocked by the judgment of OP. She’s trying her best. Some people find it easier to quit than others. Set yourself a goal OP of reduction and see how you get in. Well done for all you’ve done so far.

Thanks everyone who have left positive and reassuring comments. I started this thread as I was so upset about that craving at the back of my throat, how it's so easy for me to leave my room &be surrounded by people who smoke and of course my selfishness for convincing my brain I need that little drag.

To the ladies who gave up smoking as soon as they found out they were pregnant, fair play.

And to the people who have never smoked WOW yous must be soooo healthy 😜😜😜😜

Thanks for the nice comments & congratulations ❤️X

I understand how hard it is!! Its so easy for people to say your putting your babies life at risk etc etc and it's true you are but your daft you know that already. I found it so difficult to stop I always said as soon as I found out I'm pregnant I will stop straight away, that didnt happen, but every drag I felt an almighty pang of guilt, I spoke to my midwife who was very supportive, to start off with I was consultant led and had regular scans ,I was about between one and two a day, in the end my gp prescribed me a vape with very low nicotine, havent touched a cigarette for months and months and even the smell makes me feel sick and I now feel awful for putting my baby through that, but I have a very healthy 7 pound 9 baby, I know it's not good outcome for everyone but thought I'd share you my experience, there is help out there xx

"I am really beating myself up about the smoking"

So you should be

How is that helpful or productive littleduck?

I did not smoke for my first two pregnancies. For my third I was in a different environment. It was so difficult. I used to picture my cigarette smoke being on a direct line to my baby. From my mouth to my baby's lungs. I cut down 99% but for that third pregnancy, I did struggle despite being a non smoker for the first two and knowing better.

No one has mentioned the Allan Carr (not the comedian) book, Easy Way to Stop Smoking. That’s what inspired me to give up. It’s excellent and explains why scaremongering often has the opposite effect.

SIDS is a real risk for babies born to smokers and who are exposed to smoke. You need to understand that.

@NameChange30 I don't think she meant to tag you as the replies don't match up to what you said but even if she was how disgusting of you to respond like that

Maybe watch some ultrasound videos of a baby in utero responding when the mother smokes? Watching these can be alarming and really shows you how truly awful it is. It's not nice but it's necessary maybe as smoking during pregnancy is terrible for the baby.

I know it's hard. I do. I'm sorry also that your partner is a selfish arsehole. People can call you selfish on here but he is just as bad and very unsupportive.

OP you know the answers and you know what you need to do regardless of those around you. Gove yourself two weeks, make a plan and stick to it. Good luck.
P.s. I like the other posters suggestion, picture yourself blowing smoke into newborns face because that's what you're doing.

You'll be judged massively and if you have a premature baby and in any way smell of smoke or your notes say you smoke, all the medical staff will be speaking about you to each other saying they can't believe you kept smoking and let this happen. They honestly will because they're human beings and will judge

Thankfully this is utter rubbish. Just under 11% of all pregnant women in England are still smokers at the time of delivery. I believe the figures are higher for Scotland, not sure about Wales or NI.

HCPs simply do not have the time to do that amount of judging and expressing their disbelief about more than one in ten women in their care. Even if they did, the novelty would wear off pretty quickly.

Also they are professionals (it's what the P means in HCP) capable of recognising a public health issue when they see one and knowing from their training that the best way of tackling lifestyle public health issues is not to make people feel like a piece of shit.

It will be noted as a risk factor, that is all. They'll just be alert to the increased risk of complications and can be ready to act if something arises.

Ooh, yes do what Alone suggests with the videos, make your partner watch them and ask him if he is going to be that parent.

OP, I used to smoke but gave up before I was pregnant so didn't have to go through this.

I used the Allan Carr - Easyway to Stop Smoking book, it's really excellent. You need to stop, regardless of what other people around you are doing as it's your body that your baby is relying on, not theirs.

Get whatever tools ready to stop, whatever help you can find - and just do it. I promise you that if you can stop smoking now, you'll never need to start it again - and you'll be free of it.

It's a hell of an addiction, it really is - but you can beat it if you want to.
Good luck!

You shouldn't hold a baby for an hour after smoking so it will be difficult then if your partner is smoking

RE, quitting smoking, try getting something to take your mind off it when you get a craving. Something that worked for me bags of roasted or otherwise flavored sunflower seeds. They are very tasty. Open with your teeth and then suck out the seed. Good fun and you build a mountain of empty shells. Takes hours. Asian/Chinese shops have some delicious ones or get some off amazon.

If you want to be the kind of parent that can say 'I would do anything for my child' and be able to mean it, you'll stop smoking completely from this point.

I have the worst will-power in the world. I work as a chef in a kitchen, and lord can it be stressful. I used to go out for a fag every hour. Since becoming pregnant I've not had a single cigarette, and I'm now 30 weeks. I'm not saying this to brag OP, but if someone like me can do it then you can too.

Keeps your hands and mouth busy, which I found really useful.

Is your baby coming home to that house where 3 people smoke? Was the pregnancy planned? Can you move?

Go to the GP,, they can help you with patches etc