Re: Smoking and Pregnant

Re: Smoking and Pregnant

I wasn't going to comment at all, but after reading this I have to. My mother has four children, and she smoked through all of her pregnancies. She's not proud of it, but it was in the 70's-early 80's and more women did it. We were all born over 9 pounds. Who knows what it did to our lungs, and maybe affected other things, but not EVERY baby will be born at 2.5 pounds. I applaud her for trying to stop. It's an addiction, and honestly, I'd rather see her cut down on smoking than take the anti-anxiety meds. My doctor (gyno, and psychologis, yes, I have anxiety too) said there are no studies yet to show the affects that these meds have on babies. Recently on the news, there was a study done on taking paxil while pg, and they are finding that babies are being born with heart defects. So it's a double edged sword. Noboby is condoning it, but that's what these boards are for, to not JUDGE, but to SUPPORT.

Re: Smoking and Pregnant

Listen, I completely agree with you that she should quit. I also had quit for 6 months before becoming pregnant, then stupidly picked up a light habit again a month before I found out I was pregnant and then had to quit again, which I did. But I did it by weaning myself. That's all we are telling her to do, is to wean herself. Quitting cold turkey doesn't work for everyone. She will quit, she can do it, just like you and I did, and that's what she needs to hear.

Believe me, there is nothing worse than the guilt and shame and utter despair you feel when you realize you are pregnant and still smoking. Wacked out hormones don't make it any easier. She needs support to help her quit. There's no sugar coating going on here, it's just that we all know how very dangerous it is to smoke while pregnant, so rather than dwell on the negative, we are trying to emphasize the positive - the fact that it CAN be done.

Re: Smoking and Pregnant

I am going to have to agree with my dh, studdmuffin, on this one. We quit together 11 months ago! We didn't ween down, we didn't use the gum, I tried the patch for about a week but in the end, COLD TURKEY is the way to go.
One thing that helped me was when I enlisted the help of a website Quitnet
Is quitting hard? YES! Can it be done? YES! In fact it is done by about a million people per year.
Dh and I quit, on the remote possibility that smoking was effecting our chances of getting pregnant. If quitting, just to get pregnant was enough motivation for us, then knowing you have a baby in your belly should be more than adequat to keep you from lighting up. Honestly, if this is not motivation enough for you to quit, I have no idea what will EVER work for you.
There are some great and helpful ideas on this thead! One of the best, in my opinion, is the sonogram! I know that it is early and you don't have your own sono yet, but I would go to a site that has pictures of early sono's and print one of them out. Take that sono picture and put that in your pack of cigarettes knowing that its a representation of what is going on in your own body.
In approach to your quit, its all about frame of mind. Tell yourself you have QUIT! (NOt that you are GOING to quit). That makes it present tense instead of future tense. There is a saying on the site I listed earlier that got me through A TON of cravings "NOPE" Nope stands for

N ot
O ne
P uff
E ver

and its what you need to keep saying to yourself over and over again. Take quitting as a step by step process. Don't think of the long run all you need to think about is how you are going to get thru your very next craving. Once you are passed that one, focus on on how you will get thru the next one. One craving at a time, gets your thru a day...then a week, then a month and the next thing you know you are like us and are getting ready to celebrate a year.

I hope these ideas help you ASAP because its important for you to drop this habit, not only for your health but for the long run of your child. This is just the first of many sacrifices, in your life, that you are going to need to make for this child. AND IMHO, one of THE most important ones you will EVER do.

Best of luck to you!

Re: Smoking and Pregnant

Great advise Deb!

One thing that helped my quit...I counted the hours. I was so happy with myself when I got to 24 hours, then 36 hours, then 48 hours...before I knew it, a whole week went by. I didn't want to "go back" so I worked through the cravings and before I knew it, the cravings weren't so bad anymore.

Re: Smoking and Pregnant

I'm sorry, Ijust dont understand how anyone could NOT NOT NOT quit cold turkey as soon as they found out they were PG.

I've smoked for many years - as in 15-16 years. I'm not proud of it, but it was an addicition and a stupid habit I picked up when I was young.

My DH quit a year ago and I tried but I went back - just a few cigarettes a day, but still, I WAS smoking every day, even if only a few...it didn't matter, I was a smoker.

The day I got a faint BFP on my pregnancy test was the end of smoking, PERIOD. My pregnancy hadn't even been confirmed by my doctor and the pregnancy test was very faint, but in my heart I just couldnt stomach the idea of making my baby smoke a cigarette.

This little baby growing inside of me depends on ME to make all of the decisions that affects her well being and her LIFE. She is an innocent little person who didn't ask to be brought in to this world, but she was, and now it's my responsibility to take care of her. I can't imagine filling her tiny, underdeveloped lungs with smoke. The thought of it makes me sick. Literally.

Quitting smoking is never easy. I've done it before, it's a hard addiction to break. But for the sake of the LIFE of your unborn little baby, how can you NOT quit? I don't understand how someone could smoke,knowing the possibilities of what it could do to your baby. Don't you think that an unborn baby deserves a fair shot in life...and that smoking is abusing that baby? Would you blow smoke in it's face if it was here, infront of you? Would you put a cigarette to it's lips if it was already born? No, I doubt it. So HOW can anyone smoke when they are pregnant, it's just something I cannot fathom.

I wasn't going to respond to this post at first, but the more I thought about it, the more I just had to say something.

I think it's an inexcusable thing to do to the innocent little baby growing inside of you.

Message edited 1/8/2006 11:33:20 AM.

Re: Smoking and Pregnant

Re: Smoking and Pregnant

I hope its okay to post- I'm not on the pregnancy board yet- but I just wanted to say that there really might be other meds that are safe for anxiety while pregant. I had pretty severe anxiety (OCD type actually) about 3 years ago...I was on Effexor and it helped tremedously- it's actually an SSRI that is used for depression too but this one also helps with anxiety....I've been off of it a few months now but every doctor I spoke with said that it is safe to be on while pregnant- maybe ask your doctor about a safe medicine other than Xanax? Lot of for you....anxiety is horrible- I hope you find a way to feel better....

Re: Smoking and Pregnant

I am not pregnant but I wanted to add that wellbutrin is safe to take while pregnant. I have been on anxiety meds for over 10 years and I have discussed this topic with my doctor hundreds of times. He said that when I am ready to TTC he will wean me over to wellbutrin. I believe that wellbutrin is not only an anti anxiety med but a form of zyban which happens to be the med that people use to help them quit smoking.

Re: Smoking and Pregnant

BTW, I think xanax is a poor medicine to be on long-term for anxiety. I think it makes it worse, expecially when stopping.

Re: Smoking and Pregnant

Wow....I thought this website was here as a form of support, not to make you feel badly about yourself

She's not denying she needs to quit...and NO ONE is saying its ok for her to smoke....

Sandra your posts couldnt of said it better!!!!!!! Weaning herself down to nothing...is great... I applaud those of you who quit cold turkey...but every one is different and may not be able to succeed with that method!

I agree smoking while preg. can do a lot of harm...but I also wanna say that I know quite a few people who smoke through out there preg and had BIG perfectly healthy babies!!!!



Here if you need to talk!

Re: Smoking and Pregnant

Re: Smoking and Pregnant

Posted by Princessmaris

Wow....I thought this website was here as a form of support, not to make you feel badly about yourself

She's not denying she needs to quit...and NO ONE is saying its ok for her to smoke....

Sandra your posts couldnt of said it better!!!!!!! Weaning herself down to nothing...is great... I applaud those of you who quit cold turkey...but every one is different and may not be able to succeed with that method!

I agree smoking while preg. can do a lot of harm...but I also wanna say that I know quite a few people who smoke through out there preg and had BIG perfectly healthy babies!!!!



Here if you need to talk!

Re: Smoking and Pregnant

Message edited 1/8/2006 6:12:58 PM.

Re: Smoking and Pregnant

Kitty I think you know that smoking is so bad for your unborn child and I believe that because of this you will stop right away. Good luck with dealing with all the stresses of not smoking

Re: Smoking and Pregnant

Can I just comment how stupid and unloving it is for a husband to continue to smoke after their wife is pregnant? Does he think that "I smoke outside" is okay? It is in your skin, on your hands, on your clothes? And that says nothing of the risk to your life..a child should not watch their father die because of a cigarette!!
No one is saying it is okay to smoke while pregnant..of course NOT. But she is quiting and doing her best. I am SURE she knows how deadly this habit is.
And I hate when people use the "my mother did XX" because parents did not use car seats when I was born, but that NEVER makes it okay to hold a baby in the car now. We learn, we progress, we do not make the same mistakes (hopefully). So I am sure she will do this...but it might take her a few days.

Re: Smoking and Pregnant

This website is a form of support but I cant sit here and lie and voice my support for something that I so strongly believe in not doing.

If anyone took offense to my post, I just want to say that it was not directed at any one person, but directed at smoking during pregnancy in general and how I personally feel about it.

I would have voice my opinion if it was drinking, smoking, drugging or anything else that is bad for you and your baby during pregnancy.

ETA: and one other thing, I am a former smoker like I said. I know first hand how difficult it is to quit. But to me, giving up smoking to make my baby healthy was the most important thing.

Message edited 1/8/2006 8:48:23 PM.

Re: Smoking and Pregnant

Ok, I have read *most* of these past responses, and I am not going to chime in or argue but simply add my 2 cents...

You and I have something more in common..

**For the people sending flames and you, also Kitty--I am not proud of this in any way shape or form, but am simply offering you PUBLIC response instead of a FM!**

When I found out that I was preggo with my son I was 11.5 weeks preggo. LITERALLY.. the day I POAS, and got my first positive. The day before that was the fourth of July, and I had attended a HUGE party, got absolutely $h!tfaced, and was smoking.. a lot..
I smoked from when I was 13, also not proud of that but those are the facts. With my pregnancy because I found out so late I was obviously able to hear the heartbeat and the moment I did I knew that I should quit,and that it woudl be tough. I will admit, I started by cutting down, and EVENTUaLLY it was down to only the super stressed buggin out moments that I downed 3 ciggarettes in a row... and didnt smoke for days.

I had talked to my dr. and I had told him that I was a smoker, and how much I smoked, and he informed me that in some cases it is actually HEALTHIER for a preggo woman to continue (in moderation) than to quit cold turkey because of the chemical dependency the preggo lady had for so many years, it would be like putting a herion addict in rehab cold turkey.. HELL. Now we are all adults and we know that there are side effects and warnings up the wazoo... but how old are we people?? Without drugs, nicotine, and alcohol, half of us wouldnt even be here. Not to mention, those of us who are in our thirties.. Our parents had us and our siblings in the late 60s and 70's.. W T F do you think your parents did????

Kitty.. I give you many props and applaud you for taking the iniative to post this and ask other women who have BTDT, whether they would like to admit ot or not.. They too had a butt when they were super stressed (after they quit).. The key is moderation.. if you can quit after you hear that beautiful little heartbeat.. than a standing O for you, and all the women that did cold turkey, and NEVER had another one.. But I will tell you it wont be easy. Good Luck and best wishes for a happy and healthy pregnancy!!!

Message edited 1/8/2006 8:53:25 PM.

Re: Smoking and Pregnant

just wanted to say good luck trying to quit! i'm sure it must be very hard. whether you wean yourself or go cold turkey, you're doing what's best for you and your baby. sorry you got flamed by some people, but there are people here to support you! good luck!

Re: Smoking and Pregnant

Hey,

Just wanted to give you and good luck on quitting. I smoked before I was pregant (socially) and it was difficult to quit. I can't even imagine what it's like as a regular smoker.

I hope all works out for you!!!

Re: Smoking and Pregnant

just wanted to give you and wish you luck with quitting, And with finding a way (or another medication) to deal with the anxiety.
i do give you alot of credit for posting this on here. not saying that i agree with smoking while pregnant (i'm a smoker, and i completely understand the addiction ), BUT noone should make you feel like you wear a Scarlet letter for smoking though. you asked for help, not judgements- but, i guess, to each his own.
I know, from reading your pregnancy posts, that it was a complete shock that was just thrown onto you, and that you weren't prepared for (as someone who was previously TTC would be) - But i'm sure that you will be Okay!! Just take it one day at a time, and hopefully you can use some of the advise that the other previous smokers had to offer.
Good luck, we ARE here to help in any way that we can!

Message edited 1/8/2006 11:14:22 PM.

Re: Smoking and Pregnant

Re: Smoking and Pregnant

Firstly, for being so brave and willing to seek support in a public forum

I am not going to tell you to quit, but I am going to tell you DO YOUR RESEARCH on what smoking during PG, especially in the 1st trimester can do to your unborn child. A new study was released that in addition to all the birth defects, circulatory defects, smoking can cause, researchers have found that even a 1 /2 a pack a day of cigs or nicotine replacements can cause your child to have missing fingers or toes.

No one can force you to quit, and I can't believe this thread has gotten so nasty. Smoking during pg is just as bad as drinking and yes, other people can have healthy babies while smoking, and our mothers did things wayyy differently. THis day in age through research we know SO MUCH MORE than our mothers did when they were pg. Hell, we know alot more know that they did 5 years ago.

Please do the research, and don't use you haven't seen the sono yet, sorry, that sounds like an excuse to me to keep smoking, GO SEE YOUR DR and get your options, especially with the smoking, and more importantly the anxiety issues.

I applaud you for taking this first step in asking for help but as a mother to be this is your first hard step and commitment to take so your child is given the best start in life you can give him/her.

Good luck, and we are here for you throughout the whole way

Message edited 1/9/2006 10:39:38 AM.

Re: Smoking and Pregnant

Re: Smoking and Pregnant

It is true that I could never force someone to quit smoking BUT I could tell someone that they could not touch my child or be near them...and I would..I wouldn't care who it was. My daughter will NEVER go into her grandmother's car because my mom smokes in it...I mean NEVER. She must wash her hands before touching my girl.