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Smoking whilst pregnant

139 replies

Jcra · 27/08/2022 04:13

I am 6 weeks pregnant with my second child 10 years apart I smoked when I was pregnant with my daughter only 2 to 3 a day I cut down alot and she was perfectly healthy 8 pound baby. With this one I am finding myself smoking around 5 to 6 a day I absolutly hate it and I feel so ashamed and heartbroken that I carnt stop for the sake of my child the guilt is killing me but my god it is so so hard.
I have mentioned this to midwife and she has referred me to a non smoking clinic to help me so fingers crossed I can stop.

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Same1977 · 27/08/2022 05:54

Sorry but your willpower needs to come into this.
My father quit in one day when his doctor scared him.So I it perfectly possible.
There is a documentary on BBC showing exactly what happened to baby every time you smoke.That should give you a boost.
I know it's harsh but take this post as tough love instead of having a dig at you :)

user1494050295 · 27/08/2022 06:09

Health aside you are paying 96p in the £1 in taxes to the govt.

Ebonyhorse · 27/08/2022 06:12

Your poor baby. You can stop. You have to. Just because your first baby was born a healthy weight doesn’t make it okay.

Jenhen89 · 27/08/2022 07:25

If being pregnant isn’t enough to get you to stop then frankly I don’t know what is.

wibblywobblybits · 27/08/2022 07:26

Oh my good god this is horrifying

CallmeMrsPricklepants · 27/08/2022 07:32

You need to keep busy. Do you work? Anything you can do when you have cravings to minimise them, like get a handhold games console to keep busy?

CollywobbleisCreepy · 27/08/2022 07:37

Your poor baby. How can you do this? You don’t just “hope” you can stop when you’re pregnant you bloody well just do it to protect your unborn child. Use everything you need in terms of NRT and vapes, take all the help out there but for god’s sake stop smoking. If your baby comes to harm how could you live with yourself?

lilroo87 · 27/08/2022 07:39

About 10 years ago I decided to quit smoking half way through smoking a cigarette. It was tough but only the first week, I didn't use patches or anything, just willpower.
Your unborn child should be your motivation to stop smoking.
Hopefully you can get some help.
Keep a fidget spinners or something on you to keep your hands busy, everytime you want a cigarette distract yourself with that instead.
It will be tough but you baby should really be your priority now.

2anddonefornow · 27/08/2022 07:41

If it’s hard for you just think how much harder it will be for your baby once born.

mrsbitaly · 27/08/2022 07:42

The stop smoking service will really help and there will be things they can issue that will help you with urges. You will be able to stop if your only on 5-6 cigarettes a day.

Is there a pattern when you need a cigarette ie as soon as you wake up, after a meal, when your stressed?

I'm not going to come on here and make you feel bad I'm sure you already do. I was a smoker and managed to quit when I was pregnant with help.

Go onto some stop smoking chst forums where you can chat and get advice without feeling like your being judged. There are apps as well that encourage you showing how much you have saved how it has improved your health ect.

The stopping of smoking will help not only for the health of your baby but when it's born when your cuddling your little one it won't be breathing in any of the smoke that sticks to your clothes hair ect

I wish you all the best - you can do it!! 🥰

momoftwo11 · 27/08/2022 07:43

Try reading up as much as you can on the damage smoking does to a baby. Stop convincing yourself because your last baby was ok this one will be too. Also, you don't know for sure no damage was done last time just because the baby didn't have any obvious issues. You can do it, good luck

Upstairsforthinking · 27/08/2022 07:44

I went cold turkey when I was pregnant. Stupidly have started again now but did manage to stay off them whilst pregnant.

I looked at it as though I didnt have a choice and thought about the damage I could cause to my unborn baby which was enough to get me off them.

The cravings didnt go away at all BUT I can rest assured that I looked after myself the best in could to give my baby the best chance. That's included caffeine and unhealthy foods aswell.

Just do it. You can do it. If you've managed to cut down you can absolutely quit. Just dont start again after like I did.

blueberry23 · 27/08/2022 07:44

I smoked and found out I was pregnant and have never touched another since that very moment.

My BABY was in my tummy and it was MY JOB to protect them. What sort of start are you giving them breathing smoke in? I am absolutely horrified.

It's not about you and your needs. Your children come first.

Just stop. That simple. The cravings go after a few weeks. Don't be so selfish

girlmom21 · 27/08/2022 07:45

Why do you smoke? Is it habit or addiction?

Mamoun · 27/08/2022 07:48

You can do it!!!!!
You can do it!!!!!
You can do it!!!!!

go to the clinic, do some pregnancy yoga (online you can do it for free) or get into something manual like pottery.

Good luck!

ps : without wanting to sound alarming and guilt inducing, smoking while pregnancy increases the risk of SIDS massively (check lullaby charity stats)

justanotherlaura · 27/08/2022 08:10

I totally get how difficult it is, I was adamant I would stop 1 year before conceiving then I would stop before conceiving and I ended up only stopping once I got pregnant, it really is so hard!

I ended up stopping after reading Allen Carr's easy way to stop smoking. I was really sceptical of how a book could make me stop but it really did, I read it in a day and didn't smoke again... it was hard and the first 3 weeks were tough with cravings but you can do it.

Think of every craving you don't give in to as one less before they go away. If you have one cigarette you go back to the start of the three weeks, it ends up not feeling worth the cigarette. I haven't smoked since 1st Jan and I only get one or 2 cravings a month now and they're not even that strong now. You can do this!

NCmama · 27/08/2022 08:53

Giving up is the hardest thing to do.

Lots of posts here will display disgust at you smoking whilst pregnant, you know it yourself.

Their disgust is not the point you need support and a lot of will power.

I gave up smoking about 10 years ago after attending a support service offered by Boots pharmacy. Some people can do cold turkey, especially after a scare, some can't but clinics and support groups are the way I think.

They do co2 readings and health advice and offer all alternatives, patches, lozenges, vaping etc.

Please attend one as a matter of urgency.

somethingluscious · 27/08/2022 08:59

Honestly. Stop smoking. I stopped with my first child 14-15 years ago and never started again. I'd been ok with the fact I was poisoning myself prior to that, but I couldn't ethically do that to a child I was growing inside of me. Allen Carr's book was good when I read it around then or maybe when I'd tried to stop previously and dropped how much I was smoking to a similar level as you.

My MIL still smokes 2-3 cigarettes a day and it is nuts that she doesn't just give up. She is keeping her body intentionally perched on a nicotine wagon. You need to get the nicotine out of your system first and after the first 2-3 weeks it's much easier. 5-6 isn't a lot of a habit to stop from, so will be easier that a more hefty habit. Just put them in the bin and stop. Think of the money you are saving and put it towards something else.

Creepymanonagoatfarm · 27/08/2022 09:02

Health as a baby isn't proof.. I was diagnosed with asthma as an adult
. The Dr asked me outright was my dm a smoker...
Put your dc first op.
I hate the smell of cigarettes now as it reminds me of relatives and clouds of smoke... And their clothes. Yuck.

Crabbyboot · 27/08/2022 09:03

wibblywobblybits · 27/08/2022 07:26

Oh my good god this is horrifying

Very helpful well done

Crabbyboot · 27/08/2022 09:04

Try the Allen Carr method- no tablets or patches. It's brilliant. I used to sample twenty a day and I don't smoke at all now.

Jcra · 27/08/2022 09:38

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Original poster
Jcra · 27/08/2022 09:43

justanotherlaura · 27/08/2022 08:10

I totally get how difficult it is, I was adamant I would stop 1 year before conceiving then I would stop before conceiving and I ended up only stopping once I got pregnant, it really is so hard!

I ended up stopping after reading Allen Carr's easy way to stop smoking. I was really sceptical of how a book could make me stop but it really did, I read it in a day and didn't smoke again... it was hard and the first 3 weeks were tough with cravings but you can do it.

Think of every craving you don't give in to as one less before they go away. If you have one cigarette you go back to the start of the three weeks, it ends up not feeling worth the cigarette. I haven't smoked since 1st Jan and I only get one or 2 cravings a month now and they're not even that strong now. You can do this!

It is the hardest thing i have smoked for 15 years and never tried to stop its not like I'm loving doing it I absolutely hate what I am doing and I came on here for some help or advice my god I wish I didn't bother. Thats a good way of looking at it though the over coming cravings I'm waiting for the non smoking team to yet back to me

OP posts:
Original poster
Jcra · 27/08/2022 09:44

Same1977 · 27/08/2022 05:54

Sorry but your willpower needs to come into this.
My father quit in one day when his doctor scared him.So I it perfectly possible.
There is a documentary on BBC showing exactly what happened to baby every time you smoke.That should give you a boost.
I know it's harsh but take this post as tough love instead of having a dig at you :)

Amazing for your father. Thanks I will watch that

OP posts:
Hatscats · 27/08/2022 09:58

I’d also suggest looking at the SIDS stats for smoking parents, it’s one of the most dangerous things in terms of SIDS risks.
Hopefully they’ll support you in stopping successfully 🤞