apologies now for large response
i am now 15 weeks pregnant and smoked 20 per day before. I'd like to say i gave up when I found out but instead I cut down to silk cut ultra's and down to 5 a day. My partner thought I had given up as this is what i had told my partner and doctor, i found myself having to sneak cigerettes and desperate for people to leave me alone so i could have a sneaky fag, smoked in the car and was constantly worried someone i knew would see me and the pleasure i got from the fag actually made me more anxious with me trying to hide the habit as i felt soooo guilty. about 6 weeks ago i had my last cig, apart from the thought of something being wrong with the baby, or me getting seriously ill before it had grown up, the thought of how i look at pregnant women that smoke, you know that disgusted look, and how my parents, friedns look at women that some I was so ashamed that the pleasure had gone.
I still have huge cravings especially when anxious, angry, emotional, after food etc etc etc but on the positive side i do have a bit more energy, not sure whether this is down to the 14 week point or giving up the fags but it is getting easier.
Trying to give up before i was pregnant always made me extremly depressed, manic with emotions and just couldn't cope at all, so much so that my mum who is an out and out anti smoker actually said it would be better for me and the people around me if i smoked again and tried when it was a better time.
This time giving up although not easy by any means, i haven't actually been as depressed, and have found it significantly easier than before.
I do believe though that some people will find it harder than me and looking at pregnant women now that smoke I am not so judgemental as I can understand. I think if you cut it down to the minimum possible a day if it is too painful to give up fully then i think 5 or less a day should not be soo harmful.
It is such a social taboo for pregnant women to smoke but if you google heroin addictions and nicotine addiction, nicotine is just as strong if not stronger and more difficult to give up so try your best and if you can't cut down and try not to beat yourself up about it, your happiness is much better for the baby than high anxiety levels.
I personally had to give up fully as cutting down was almost as painful as giving up, not being able to smoke when i wanted just made all the gaps more painful so for me the decision was easy.
I still love smoking and like all us smokers wish that it wasn't bad for us and others, but hey, do what is right for your mental state and the baby.
all the best and sorry about going on for ages.