smoking

[julia2001]

im 15 weeks, i stopped smoking since i found out i was pregnant but the craving for it is so bad. i would smoke 40 cigarettes a day. i havent smoked for months but im still craving it so badly any advice?

Think about blowing smoke into your baby's face. You wouldn't do that, so don't put it into his/her bloodstream through smoking. I know it's hard, but your baby's health is so much more important. Chew gum maybe, or find something to occupy your hands.

Can you get an ecigerette? Some people will judge you for it but my midwife always told me it was a million times safer and better than actually smoking. I used to use the liquid with zero nicotine as well, but even with nicotine it's still much better than smoking because it doesn't have all the other chemicals. You're doing really well to go from 40 a day to zero, so be proud of yourself.

There are a few charities who offer help on this matter. They will be much quicker in seeing you as you're pregnant.
You can ask your midwife too, be honest with her. They're here to help you.

Read up on the risks, the lower birth weight, risk of early labour anything you can find. It only does harm to you and your baby, I'm an ex smoker, I do understand, but just don't do it. No vapes or any other rubbish like that, it's a crutch you don't need if you've been off this long.

You’re doing AMAZINGLY OP. You should feel bloody proud of yourself and use that feeling to spur on your willpower.

You’ve done 100% the right thing so far for your baby, it’ll feel fantastic when you deliver to know that you kept it up.

Advice?

Just don't have one.

It's fucking hard. I gave up a 15 year habit when I got pregnant.

You just have to suffer the cravings. They will pass.

The cravings will die down eventually and it will get easier, a lot of it I find is just habit. I've been smoke free for over 2 years now quit when I found out I was expecting previous daughter and am currently 38+6 with DD2 but still occasionally get in the car and look for my cigarettes even though I don't have any 🙈 xx

Chewing gum helped me most. Some people eat mints. Eat if you fancy it. I put on lots of weight, though I didn't eat a lot more. You can always diet later. Sometimes the cravings peak after a few months but they will eventually improve.

You are doing amazingly - well done for putting your baby first.

👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼 you are doing amazing!!! Carry on and carry on and carry on, your baby will be so worth it xxx

A craving lasts 15 minutes then it passes i keep chewing gum on me and chew when a craving hits can you try that, so you refocus from fags to chewing gum it is all about adjusting your thinking.

Well done OP it's not easy, I gave up almost 3 years ago and the cravings still there sometimes but it will pass. Best thing you'll ever do 🙂 good luck xx

Keep going! Don't give in, you're doing so well. And on the other side of this pregnancy you'll have kicked the habit.

thankyou hopefully the urge goes away soon. i think if i get a vape i will just keep smoking that so im trying not to buy one.

Good for you. Better vape than smoke, but doing neither is the best of all. Pregnancy is the best reason you'll ever have for stopping.

Besides which, you don't want to be going out to spend money on vape cartridges in a lockdown.

You're doing so well! I'm in the same position, gave up as soon as I found out. The cravings do pass, I'm 23 weeks now and hardly ever have any cravings. If it helps, also think about how not smoking helps with your risk of COVID, it's not something you need right now xx

Time your cravings and then find something to do in that time. Mindfulness, crochet, washing up, face mask etc.

Nicotine is still bad so I think you are right to avoid vaping. Going from 40 a day to nil is bloody amazing. Serious kudos.