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Pregnancy

Talk about every stage of pregnancy, from early symptoms to preparing for birth.

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Original poster

How am I going to not smoke....

23 replies

Flum · 20/02/2008 16:51

Am v. early pregnancy. 3rd one. Gave up for 18 months both last times.

Its eating me up. I jsut want to run out of office to Newsagents and buy fags and smoke them.

Made a solemn vow to husband wouldn't smoke any after last night. And found one unsmoked one this morning. and of course smoked it.

feel like a junky. all twitchy and nervy. found it easier other times!!

OP posts:

Are your children’s vaccines up to date?

Set a reminder

PortAndLemon · 20/02/2008 16:54

I once saw a tip about putting fag ends into a coffee jar and just barely covering with water -- when you want a smoke instead take the lid off and have a good sniff and it (supposedly) puts you right off.

HuwEdwards · 20/02/2008 16:54

you will do it - no pressure, but you have to do it .

Go and do a jigsaw puzzle or cook or something that you like.

Go to docs too and see if there's any help clinic you can go to.

crokky · 20/02/2008 16:54

You have achieved it for 18 months for previous pgs, so you have the strength of knowing you can do it. Can you think of it like that?

HuwEdwards · 20/02/2008 16:55

Jeez P&L, yep, that'd do it (am ex-smoker)!

LadyOfWaffle · 20/02/2008 16:55

In that pause when you are holding the cigarette before you light up, but are thinking should you/shouldn't you, quickly just snap it up. All I can think of - good luck x

booge · 20/02/2008 16:58

I know it's tough but the first few days are the worst, hang in there it will be easier by the weekend. I just gave up (again) after Christmas and it was hellish for the first few days but quickly got better.

NorthernLurker · 20/02/2008 16:59

The NHS can definately provide you with support - ring your GP today!

Can I say well done for how much you have cut down today - don't punish yourself for the one you had but feel proud about all the others you haven't.

Perhaps you could plan what fab baby purchase you might make with the cash you are saving? Gorgeous maternity clothes? New, fab pram? Truly yummy leather changing bag?

And of course all that aside - every cigarette you don't smoke is a gift of health for your baby, for you and for the rest of your family. Good Luck with the pregnancy

dilbertina · 20/02/2008 16:59

ohhh I feel your pain....! Keep trying to tell yourself it will be easier tomorrow than today as cravings subside and next day easier still.....

If it gets really desperate I would even consider a nicotine chewing gum/lozenge and wean off that way - still not great but better than buying a pack of ciggies and having them all - at least gets over the craving bit and not nearly so appealing...

stick with it..and good luck with pregnancy!

sophiewd · 20/02/2008 17:01

Didn' manage last pregnancy, but tried hypnotherapy this time round and nearly done 4 months and am arround people who smoke and doesn't bother me.

Playingthewaitinggame · 20/02/2008 17:11

Everytime you feel the urge think of your beautiful unborn child and the incredible damage you will be causing her/him if you smoke. Then think about you other children as babies and how you would feel if something happened to them, would you ever put them in deliberate danger, because that is what you are doing to dc3!? You, the person who should be protecting your child is putting them in danger! Deliberately and knowingly, could you live with that guilt? Use that emotion as a tool to resist the evil monster. Nothing more powerful than a mother protecting her kids! If that doesn't strengthen your resolve I don't know what will!!

By the way just want to make it clear I am not getting at you personally, you obvious want to do the right thing otherwise you would not have posted here, but some times it takes tough love .

mitfordsisters · 20/02/2008 17:55

totally disagree with you playingthewaitinggame - more guilt is the last thing that helps in my opinion.

whyquit.com is a really good website and I thought this essayhere was particularly helpful - a lot lot better than the usual doctrinaire and unimaginative advice you get from NHS etc.

Particularly good for me in quitting was understanding that you use fags to control blood sugar levels so i supported my quit with juices, yogurts and other regular healthy snacks for the 3 days it takes to get clear of the nicotine. I was v tired and irritable in giving up for a short time but my vitality came back quickly

goood luckx

mitfordsisters · 20/02/2008 17:59

link didn't work.try again

Glammama · 20/02/2008 18:03

I was a committed smoker (I loved it) and I managed to stop when pregnant with DD (in 1999) but started again soon after the birth.

I fell pregnant again last summer, ironically I found out on July 1st when Britain went smoke free

I had a couple more that night and then decided that that was it. I found Alan Carr's Easy Way to be very helpful. And although I did have cravings for a few days (and the odd dream nowadays) I just told myself that I wasn't going to have one so there was no point dwelling on it. And I felt great that I wasn't smoking and concentrated on the benefits. Not on the negatives of smoking but the benefits of not, iykwim.

I have absolutely no self control usually but if I managed it, I'm sure you can too.

Just start again tomorrow, it's a new day.

Good luck and congratulations on your pregnancy.

missConStrude · 20/02/2008 23:32

Get yourself some nicotine gum to get you through those low-willpower moments. it's not idea but it's better than having a fag.
I also gave up during both pregnancies and it's a bit of a struggle this time. The nicotine gum kills the urge to run to the newsagents.

avenanap · 20/02/2008 23:37

put the money that you would spend on smoking in a month in a can and set fire to it. This is what you do EVERY month. I'd keep what I'd saved in an account, after 12 months take yourself shopping!

My dad was a smoker. I was always ill as a child, tonsilitis, coughs that lasted months, chest infections, etc. When I moved out all the illnesses stopped. My dad's dying of emphasema now, his life's really miserable. You don't deserve this, nor do your family. Your child wants you around to watch your grandchildren grow up. The best thing you can do is stop for good. Hope this works.

OatcakeCravings · 21/02/2008 10:20

Hi,

It really isn't easy I know. I gave up the minute I found out I was pregnant and haven't had one since (am now 21 weeks). I still have cravings and truth be told I don't think I am going to manage to stay stopped after the baby is here but thats kind of keeping me going - knowing that I can have a fag in a few months time!!

slim22 · 21/02/2008 10:57

cold turkey is the only way.
Don't buy them, don't hang out with friends who drink coffee/tea/chain smoke, etc....
In a week you'll be over the worse cravings.

theowlwhowasafraidofthedark · 21/02/2008 11:04

Flum, it sounds like you're doing really well already. I gave up 3 years ago and I know how tough the first few weeks are. I've no advice other than keep at it and don't give yourself a hard time about your earlier lapses, even if you end up having one a day it will make such a difference compared to 10/20/30.

Good luck

lollipopmother · 21/02/2008 13:04

I pushed myself into giving up before we started trying, because I didn't want the stress of trying to give up once I was actually pregnant. Now I know I wouldn't have had any issue at all giving up because every single time I go past someone who's smoking I instantly gag, it's not because I think it's dirty, just because it really gets my morning sickness going.

TheDuchessOfNorksBride · 21/02/2008 13:29

I hope you get such bad morning sickness that you can't face a cigarette.

It sounds mean but it worked for me! I cut down to 5 a day (from 20+) whilst ttc and then down to 1 a day by the time I was 3 or 4 wks pregnant. When the sickness kicked in, I stopped altogether. I haven't smoked for over 7 years now. And I no longer get the urge to smoke either. It's utter bliss.

Best of luck with it.

andallthatjazz · 21/02/2008 14:41

ohmigod...I know where you are at, I am 34 WP and having 2/3 a day (was on 20/25...roll ups), have been very on off since fell pregnant, I know its so WRONG,and I am very ashamed, BUT, its sooooo hard especially for someone who enjoyed such a dirty dirty thang.
Want to stop completely before baby born.

So cant lecture or offer words of encouragement because in same boat, but just wanted to let you know...you are not on your own!!

Playingthewaitinggame · 21/02/2008 15:58

I really didn't want to sound mean in my post earlier and I want to apologise if it caused any offence as some people have strongly disagreed. Having re-read it I can see how it may have come across stronger than I meant it to. I should have explained that it was actually what I friend of mine did in the same situation, she loved smoking, she had for years and really didn't want to quit and found the only way to stop herself was reminding herself of the damage she would be doing in the way I described. She couldn't stop for herself but she could for the unborn life she was carrying. I realise its not for everyone and maybe you just wanted/needed support but I was just suggesting an idea that I know worked for someone as an alternative to all the other fantastic suggestions on here.

karney · 21/02/2008 16:29

I was a heavy smoker for years. Nothing worse than hanging by your fingernails trying not to give in to temptation. I tried a few different ways but I agree with Glammama - Alan Cars Easyway to stop smoking book did it for me.Had to change the way I thought about those damn ciggies (they were my treat). Anyway it worked for me and haven't smoked for three years. I hope you find a way that suits you best. Don,t beat yourself up about this cos stress only makes a smoker smoke more Eh? Good Luck.

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