I'm 36 wks pregnant and I'm a smoker...?

Question

I've tried to quit several times but I just can't. I feel like a horrible mother already. What I was wondering if any of you moms smoked during your pregnancy and if everything came out okay. I'm so worried something will be wrong with him. Everything is going good from what the doctors are saying but I'm still worried to death.

Answer 1

I applied for scuba school when I was in the Marines. Lung capcity wasn't big enough and I couldn't get in, because my mother was a smoker. Doctor said it is a common issue for children of smokers...I breathe okay...you wouldn't know by looking at me...I can run 3 mile PFT in 19:10...have good endurance...no problem...but, lungs were screwed up and can't hold a large volume of air due to her smoking.

Now, as a Daddy, I'm hyper vigilent (spelling?) to keep second hand smoke away from my kids. I want them to have choices, not impose it on them.

I'm glad you're asking the question and care enough to inquire what is best for your child. I hope you choose the right thing...for you, the Mommy that he will want to be there for HIS kids as the GMA, and for the little child himself.

Best wishes.

Answer 2

I have a 6 yr old and 3 yr old, and I'm due Oct. 27, I smoked on and off with my first two, and with this one I smoke. I did cut back I smoked a pack a day and now a pack takes me 3 days to smoke.

I know it's hard I'm going through the same thing. I've tried to stop but my boyfriend smokes and as soon as I see or smell him smoking I give in.

Not many people understand how hard it is to stop smoking, they think that being pregnant is a really good reason, and don't get me wrong I wish with all my heart I could but I can't. My moms and my boyfriends family are always telling my that the baby is smoking also b/c I'm smoking. It makes my feel so bad, and I've even cried over it, but I can't stop.

The only thing I can say is try to cut back as much as possible.

By the way my two boys are fine thank god.
The doctors say my little is doing fine so far also.

Good Luck with you baby and take care.

Answer 3

I'll admit I'm a smoker and I was with both my pregnancy's.Do you know it's more fatal to your child to try and quit cold turkey then it is to smoke a few cigarettes a day.As for low birth weight baby's my son was 8 pounds 6 ounces and my daughter was 6 pounds 2 ounces.I cut back as much as I possibly could and both my kids were fine.Neither have asthma or have ever had RSV.I dont smoke in my home or in my car.For people who are calling you a bad mother and say your selfish to hell with them.Just cut back.I'm pregnant with my 3rd and doing the same things I did the last two times.I also smoke less than half a pack a day.

Answer 4

I'm 34 weeks and I FINALLY quit a little over a month ago. I still crave them A LOT, but I have a little more discipline now I guess. So far my doc says baby is "perfect" and for the most part if you're watching how much you smoke and keeping it down to only a few a day and not a pack a day you and baby should be ok. He/she may have alergies or asthma later in life but hey I'm no expert!

Answer 5

Stop worrying and do the right thing: Cut back on your smoking. Make this a priority. If you allow yourself 20 cigs/day, cut down to 15 maximum. Count them out in the morning and when they're gone, you're done for the day. Every few days, cut back a few more. Gradually, you will need them less.

I know of two families where the moms and dads were heavy smokers and in both cases their child got childhood cancer. One of them died. You have more than yourself to think of now. You have a little one whose life is depending on you. If you must smoke once the baby is born, at least go outside to smoke and don't subject your baby to smoke.

If it means enough, you can do quit for good! I smoked for more than 10 years and I did it. Lots of people do. Go for walks, chew on gum, talk on the phone, suck on lollipops, eat carrot and celery sticks (dipped in something if you must), eat pretzels, chomp on ice chips. Enroll in a smoking cessation class. Many hospitals sponsor them. Some employers also have them, if you work. Ask your HR department or find out from your employers' web site.

Once the baby is born, you can go on the nicotine patch if you need to. I always peeled mine off two hours before I was going to bed so I wouldn't get weird dreams. I would NEVER smoke now!

Answer 6

I, myself, am not a smoker. However, I know a mother that did smoke during pregnancy. Her doctor actually told her it did not effect the baby if she smoked 3 ciggerettes a day so she tried to stay at that. What you can try maybe is take a couple puffs and put it out every hour making one last several hours. Her baby was actually pretty petite but being that girls are naturally smaller I dunno. I've heard mothers that smoke have low birthweight children, but that's about it. What you have to consider is whatever you're intaking into your own body goes into theirs. Maybe you can minimize it as much as possible.

Answer 7

Cut back as much as you can without making yourself fixate on smoking. You can be healthy and smoke, and so can your baby. I think that thinking what you are not going to do is a much less successful strategy than thinking what you are going to do. If you think "I'm going to have x number of cigarettes today" don't add the word just or not or but.

Be positive. Take your vitamins. Pregnancy makes the calmest woman worry, but tell yourself that you're fine and the baby is the most wonderful baby ever.

Find things to do to keep your mind occupied and you'll have less worry and get more done!

Answer 8

Your not the only pregnant smoker. I am too. I thought that when I got pregnant I would be able to quit for the baby, but my hormones are raging and I'm stressed out enough let alone if I quit smoking! I feel the same way you do like a bad mom already, but the truth is we are good moms and we are going to continue to be good moms. I went on philipmorris.com and read a little about smoking while pregnant and it says that they biggest concern is low birth weight. Do some research you might be surprised.

Answer 9

Hmm really? why take the chance? Are you going to quit when your baby comes or just subject him to second hand smoke? Obviously there is not much you can do about it at this point, and if your doctor is not telling you to quit every time you visit her then maybe you will be ok. I just really don't see how if millions of people quit for much less reasons, that you can't just try a little harder for the sake of your baby. I really really hope for the best that your child is perfectly healthy, but please, if you are that lucky than consider quitting after he is born to aviod any other problems. Good luck.

Answer 10

I'm a child of a smoker and i came out fine. But it's best to try to quit ASAP or slack up