Forum 1st trimester

Pregnancy and smoking

64 replies · page 1 of 4

jessie95
Hi everyone.

I'd really like to know how the smoking moms quit. I'm 10 weeks pregnant now and unfortunately still smoking. I'm not looking for any comments because I already know it's bad and I feel bad enough about myself lighting up a cigarette without even thinking about it.

Any tips are welcome because I really, really want to quit?

Replies

Page 1 of 4

  1. S Guest #2

    The thoughts that you're causing serious harm to your child, increasing the risk of miscarriage, that your child might have a low birth weight because YOU smoked, or that your baby might have to stay in the hospital for 10 days due to health problems from your smoking, or that your child might develop health issues like asthma or similar conditions not just at birth but even later in life—THAT SHOULD BE ENOUGH REASONS FOR A MOTHER TO QUIT!! Motherhood starts from the moment you're pregnant... A pleasure like a cigarette shouldn't come at the cost of your child's life and health; that says a lot about you as a mother..! I understand it's hard, I used to smoke too.. But I quit IMMEDIATELY without hesitation once I knew I was pregnant. And I didn't even find it difficult when I thought about my child's health; I didn't want to take any risks! The fact that you choose to ruin your health doesn't mean you can't give your child a fair chance at life. You're already ruining their health before they're even born! Smoke outside after the birth.. But give that child a fair and especially HEALTHY start.. If that's not enough motivation and advice for you as a mother, then I don't know what else to say.. Good luck.

  2. Tamara #3

    I'm really sorry, but it's not that bad. My mom kept smoking through all three pregnancies, and my sister and little brother are completely fine...

    It's what you want, not what others think...
    It can do this and it can do that, but your baby is pretty safe in your belly, yeah. They can see if you've smoked on your placenta, but no, it doesn't mean you're harming your child. What can harm your child is alcohol and drugs—that's the worst...
    If you just cut down on smoking, it already makes a big difference.
    I think it's better for your own health if you quit, yeah, because if you're healthy, your baby is healthy too in your belly... It's your own decision...

  3. jessie95 started this #4

    S guest, I already said I want tips on how to quit smoking and no comments????

  4. Tamara #5

    The dad of my baby smokes and my mom smokes, my dad smokes etc so it really doesn't matter you're definitely not a bad mom if you smoke believe me... you want to quit but first look if you can cut back...?? In the end you'll then have the will to quit you just have to push yourself I think there aren't really ways to really quit I think...

  5. jessie95 started this #6

    Yeah, cutting down works sometimes, but the problem is when I'm in the car, I light a cigarette and only realize "oh oops" when I'm halfway through that I'm smoking again. So it kind of happens automatically. I've already quit buying cigarettes myself, but my husband smokes, so I keep taking one from him.

  6. jessie95 started this #7

    Look Tamara, I can use that hehe not smoking in the car anymore is already a start. I'm actually in the car vaaaaaak ????

  7. jessie95 started this #8

    Stupid question marks, haha

  8. Tamara #9

    Haha yeah, I don't smoke myself but I know it's a nasty habit... just make sure you have bottles of water in your hands when you feel like having a cigarette since you'll start looking for food when you can't do your normal routine anymore... it gets easier in the end but at first it's quite a job haha

  9. Liesseling #10

    Just think about how your baby can't catch their breath every time you take a drag... that should be enough to want to quit.

    Also, I think it's total bullshit to hear things like "so-and-so smoked too and has healthy kids." Nobody's saying your kid will definitely get sick from it, but why take the risk that they might?

    I quit 4 weeks ago when I found out I was pregnant. No problems at all, no withdrawal symptoms. And that's while I'd been smoking a pack a day for 17 years, except for the last 8 months of my previous pregnancy.

  10. Liesseling #11

    Lolly's is a nice little thing to have on hand, by the way.

  11. Anonymous Guest #12

    I think there's no excuse for continuing to smoke. That's selfish behavior. Because you can't quit?
    Your baby isn't asking for that. And doesn't get a fair start. Out of love, put your cigarettes away for what they are. Then start fresh...
    And those few women who reply here with a healthy baby. Nothing has been said yet.
    By the way, it's about "the chance is considerably greater"
    Most issues actually show up later in life.
    Asthma
    Poor eyesight
    Developmental delays
    Sensitive lungs
    ADHD/autism etc..

    It goes without saying that the moms who ARE experiencing problems with their baby due to likely smoking habits won't reply to this post.
    Premature birth
    Low birth weight
    Growth restriction
    Oxygen deprivation during birth
    And so much more.

    Also hypocritical to not smoke in public and only do it where others can't comment...

    For your own child growing in your womb, please put those cigarettes aside for 9 months.
    Even though quitting is hard. Pushing your child into the world is even harder!
    Relearning to walk after an accident is difficult.
    Overcoming cancer is difficult...
    But quitting smoking? No... You just have to do it!


    Good luck!

  12. Anonymous Guest #13

    Oh yeah... the tips are in bold. Above.

  13. Tamara #14

    I don't know why you're reacting so negatively to everyone, etc., but she asked for tips and I gave her some. Even though I think it won't make much difference, I'm very sorry, but my mom and aunts also smoked during their pregnancies, and I'm still healthy, you know... It doesn't matter what you do during your pregnancy; you can suddenly get something that affects your baby, or you might not have any issues yourself, but the baby still has problems if it's not born yet or even after birth... My little one will probably be a bit smaller when born, and that's not because of smoking—no, it's because I'm healthy and it just happens... I know it's better to quit, but cutting down already makes a huge difference, and she's clearly working on that. It's not about whether she really has to quit or what could happen to the little one, because she knows that. She's asking mothers who have been through it or who are currently pregnant and smoke, or have just quit, what she can do, and I gave her those tips. So don't go around criticizing everyone else for what they've posted... Not everyone is as perfect as you apparently are...

  14. jessie95 started this #15

    Alright folks, stay kind haha. I totally get why others might get mad at me and not understand, but I’m not asking for understanding, just tips. And I gotta say, I’m managing to stop smoking in the car, even though I spend most of my time in it.
    Now for the rest, it’ll all work out fine.

  15. Tamara #16

    It’s really a “now” thing that you’re not allowed to do so much anymore, but when my mom was pregnant with us, she still smoked every x. These days they’re doing everything possible to get you to quit with all sorts of stuff... If it’s always been so bad for your baby, safely in your womb in the placenta, why aren’t the adults today suffering at all from smoking moms and are still so healthy...

    I personally think people make a huge deal out of everything... and even exaggerate it... You can’t really make those videos unless it’s an ultrasound of a baby in the belly when the mom is smoking at that moment, but you’re not allowed to smoke indoors either, and why would you smoke indoors if you know it’s not good for the little one and you’re sitting in it... I just mean that it’s all a “now” thing and they’re already doing everything to take smoking away from smokers by making it more expensive, but if you’ve been smoking for so long, you don’t just quit 1/2/3 ready... Not everyone is that strong and not everyone believes in the aftereffects... Oh, and not everyone dies from it because you can get sick even if you’re super healthy and living healthily.

  16. Amy #17

    Maybe thinking completely out of the box, but would it help if, when you feel like having a cigarette, you look at your ultrasound photo or, as a form of shock therapy, read a list of all the negative effects?
    That way you get a kind of reminder of why you want to quit smoking.
    Try to cut down for sure, and maybe arrange with family/friends/colleagues that if you want to smoke, they try to distract you.

  17. Roos Guest #18

    Hi, I quit after a few cigarettes during my first pregnancy and didn’t smoke at all during my second. Outside of pregnancy, I don’t smoke either, except sometimes at a party when the kids aren’t around. What helped me was feeling so awful and guilty after every cigarette that I really didn’t want to do it anymore! Reading your story, I think you feel that too. Believe me, you feel so much better and less anxious when you quit instead of constantly worrying that something might go wrong because of smoking! All those stories like “my mom smoked and I’m fine” don’t help. Sure, things don’t always happen, but what if you’re the one whose child ends up having problems because of your behavior? You wouldn’t want to carry that guilt, right? Stay strong and ask your midwife/GP for help if needed. I’ve heard that it’s better to quit with aids (patches, etc.) during pregnancy than to keep smoking, but always in consultation with your doctor!! Wishing you lots of success and willpower—you can do it!!!

  18. Roos Guest #19

    Tamara, it sounds like you're so caught up in your addiction that you even deny it can be harmful. On the contrary, you're making up all sorts of arguments to prove that it's no problem at all. It doesn't come across as very smart, and maybe it's better for everyone if you keep this view (which is purely driven by your addiction) to yourself as much as possible.

  19. Jo Guest #20

    Tip: throw away the cigarettes and don't buy any more. Just quit for your kid. Seems like enough motivation to me.

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