Smoking whilst pregnant

[Jcra]

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.

Now, show me where I said the dangers or strength from the other pollutants are more toxic than cigarette smoke.

I discovered that apparently a trip on the London Underground is equivalent to smoking a cigarette. I worked in London for 3 years and got the tube twice a day, I was thoroughly miffed to find that out as a non-smoker I’d been inadvertently smoking 2 a day 😄
If you’re on this thread and happen to be pregnant, laying into the OP and getting the tube everyday, I suggest you take your judgy pants off or get the bus.

@'Cavvies 'some things are objectively awful things to do and do not deserve sympathy or understanding. This is one of those things.'

Does OPs post really not deserve 'sympathy or understanding' - before you post again just think about what you posted again.

Wow let's all not have sympathy and understanding, objectively!

It is an addiction not a life choice.

@NCmama i have sympathy for her cravings I have no sympathy for her not resisting them

You can do it!

First few days/week are the hardest, it does get easier.
I smoked for as long as you and went cold Turkey the day I found out I was pregnant.

You've asked for help which is good as some people don't tell their MW that they smoke.

Good luck

Smoking mafia out in force.

@NCmama she could make a choice to suffer the pain of the addiction rather than alleviating the pain

@BeanieTeen its because it’s horrifying that a woman is aware of the risks to the life of her baby and that isn’t enough to stop her

OP is aware of the risks and cares about her baby, I have little doubt. So the only thing that horrifies me is how addictive cigarettes can be @Cavvies.
You don’t help someone kick an addiction by kicking them with insults… at least I don’t think so. I’ve never been to a rehab but I doubt that’s part of any reputable rehabilitate centre’s recovery mantra.

A friend of mine smoked in two pregnancies, first one baby was apparently healthy (although perhaps some of her issues could be smoking related), her second baby died, 60% of SIDS can be linked to smoking in either pregnancy or after birth. Not sure what will convince you to stop if this doesn’t.

Cigarettes sadly, awfully are highly addictive. It is not a craving.

Some can do cold turkey, my mum a
Wonderful hypochondriac - convinced herself she had cancer, It was actually the menopause, she gave up cold turkey as a result of that fear.

Some can't. Addiction! We all recognise the AA - Alcoholics Anonymous, there is not the equivalent for smoking although we have made great progress across the modern world to reduce smoking.

Has your area got a stop smoking service? When I was pregnant a nurse would come and visit me at work to check my carbon monoxide levels (I think!) to see I wasn't smoking anymore, and she'd give me a voucher for nicotine replacement lozenges. This was in 2019/20 so might not be done now.

This question will sound batshit, but are you allergic to anything, or have any food intolerances? I had a health scare a couple of months ago where I genuinely believed I was dying and having a heart attack. A few days later I quit smoking (I now vape), and for the first time in 20 years of smoking and giving up I’ve not had a single cheeky puff. I was diagnosed with coeliacs disease, so I’ve been telling myself that cigarettes are gluten - it’s just off the menu for me.

I downloaded the NHS quit smoking app, which has loads of support, but it allowed me to make up my own motivations for quitting - I’ve put a picture of me and my babies (you could use a scan photo perhaps?) and every time I weakened or was feeling truly desperate I’d look at the picture and my reason for quitting - I don’t want to die and leave my babies without their mama. It does a countdown for 28 days, I’m currently on day 54 without smoking.

I'm not sure if vaping during pregnancy is a good idea or not, or in general, but I’m working to the assumption that it’s better than straight up smoking so it could be worth a try.

FWIW I’m not judging your smoking whilst pregnant, I think you’ve been really brave posting here. Good luck quitting!

My daughter has recently contacted the smoking cessation service at her local hospital as she is pregnant.
They have supplied her with a vape and also nicotine lozenges.
It is not the actual nicotine that is a danger to the baby during the pregnancy but the carbon monoxide that is breathed in during smoking. That is why the midwife tests you for carbon monoxide on every visit.
It's definitely worth contacting the smoking cessation team - they will do their very best to help you quit smoking whilst pregnant. They understand that it is hard, it's an addiction, so they give you the tools to make it easier to quit.

You're killing yourself and May harm your baby. I say this as a former smoker. I know it's hard. My god is it hard! But I quit without a baby involved.

It's possible, you can do it, believe in yourself. Do the best for your child. If you'd jump in front of a bullet for your babies... jump every time you get the craving. See it as a bullet right into your baby's body. And resist.