Why oh why do pregnant women smoke?

Question

My mother smoked with my sister and I, thankfully we turned out ok. I have smoked on and off for awhile, but I would stop immediately if I knew I was pregnant. Why do they do it?????? Why?

Answer 1

why smoke at all

Answer 2

They're addicted.
OK, everyone knows that smoking is bad for us and everyone else around. I started looking around on-line, and was really surprised that it's very difficult to find real numbers on the risk involved. I mean, we all know it's bad, but how bad is it? This is what I found:

The average baby born to a mother who smoked dring pregnancy is about 7 ounces less than a baby born to a non-smoker. I think the average right now is about 7 lbs 10 ounces. So, let's say that the average smoker mom has a 7 lb 3 oz baby.
Also, SIDS is 2 to 3 times higher when mothers smoked during and after pregnancy. In the US SIDS affects 1 to 2 children per 1000, so maybe among smoking moms, that comes out to 2 to 6 children per 1000.
There is also a correlation between the amount that the mom smokes and how strongly it affects the child.

(For all the real statisticians out there, I know there is a real way to figure these numbers. Please don't get mad. I just want to keep it simple) ;)

You know, as a mom, I never want to trivialize issues that are really damaging to children. Truly, nothing can break your heart like your child being hurt or sick. On the other hand, I think that honesty is a good policy- if you constantly blow things out of proportion, then people become skeptical about the actual message, important or not. There is a time when your message stops being informative and becomes propaganda.

Since smoking carries a lot of obvious health problems, why not stick with real data, and not make a bunch of over-generalized statements to scare everyone.

Answer 3

I have to agree with another answer. I smoked during two of my pregnancies, but quit during one. The one I quit smoking for, I miscarried. The 2 I didn't quit smoking for, were born at healthy weights, had no problems and still have none. I had numerous medical problems during the pregnancies with both of my daughters that was already causing a lot of stress to them. I also didn't find out I was pregnant with my first until I was 3 months and then 2 months with my second (I was on birth control with both of my daughters and didn't find out until a routine check-up). Anyways, my doctor said there was a very high chance I could miscarry with added stress of me quitting smoking cold turkey. This is why I didn't quit but cut down. I went from smoking a pack and a half a day to about 3 or 4 cigarettes a day. I think some of these people that answered are the UNEDUCATED ones. My OB/GYN has been practicing since 1965. I wonder what kind of medical degree these others have?

Answer 4

Hi all! I'm pregnant and I smoked through my entire first pregnancy and through at least half of this one. I'm not saying it's right, but I did not know I was pregnant the first time around until I was 14 weeks along. My doctor told me, then, that less smoking is better, but no smoking was best. Well, I managed to cut down to 5 cigs per day from a 2-pack a day habit. My daughter was born at 38 weeks 5 days and weighed 7 lbs 14 oz. She is 2 1/2 years old. She has only had 2 colds in her lifetime. This time around, I cut down on my smoking immediately and quit altogether due to lack of interest a few months later.

Kicking an addiction is harder than you think--and smoking tobacco is really one of the least of all the evils when you look at what other people are pumping into their veins or gulping down their throats or smoking (other than tobacco). It's also very hard when you have NOTHING to help you cope with the quitting. Pregnant women cannot use nicotine patches, gums, or lozenges--the consistent stream of nicotine provided by these is thought by some to cause even more birth defects than the intermittent dose from cigarette smoking. Pregnant women are not allowed to take any of the anti-depressants doctors prescribe to help people quit smoking.

Please don't judge these ladies that you see smoking when you don't know the whole story. They may be doing better than you think.

Answer 5

I quit when I was pregnant each time. It wasn't hard, I just weaned myself off them, cutting down a couple each day over about a week and a half or so. I am currently pregnant (31 weeks) and I don't need to quit, because I never started up again after having the second one.

It's better to just stay off them, they're too expensive and apparently the smoke hurts the children. It causes ear infections and asthma, and that is the truth for real. My first son has asthma and had many ear infections because I started smoking again after having him.

Answer 6

I think this question is extremely stupid. Why does anyone smoke? Why do people do anything harmful to themselves or others?

I was a smoker when I found out I was pregnant.. and my doctor actually told me NOT to quit right away.. and to cut back.. If you just quit immediately then it will put your baby in shock.. not to mention give the mother bad withdrawls ..

Answer 7

ya know what i over heard someone saying today that really bothered me, they were talking about how they cant just quit smoking now that they are pregnant because it will cause a miscarrage because she just abruptly stoped putting the chemical in her body. What a rediculous thing to say. If you know you are pregnant and you still smoke anyway you should br ashamed of yourself. She also said whats better,,, the baby getting the smoke through my skin or through my lungs.... i was thinking you stupid moron... just stop smoking for the health of your baby!!

Answer 8

Because the habit (vice) is stronger than they are and they don't have a strong will, and they probably care and know that it is NOT right but the cigarettes are stronger than the love they have for their kids. You know what makes me think about how bad this really is, when I see pictures of babies with cigarettes in their mouths at birth, I have seen this pictures in ati-smokers web sites. It is pretty disturbing seeing a new baby with a cigarette in his mouth but if you think about it, that's how it is, and sadly their lungs, their innocent lungs are already polluted.

Answer 9

It is addiction. That's why I quit smoking before I even tried to get pregnant. I don't think education has anything to do with it, as one answer said. I am educated and I still smoked (NOT while pregnant), even though I knew it was horrible for me.

Answer 10

On occasion women don't find out that they are pregnant until they are well into it. Alot of doctors will tell you that suddenly quitting smoking or even quitting birth control in the middle of a pregnancy can cause too much stress and trauma to yours and your babbies systems. That is one explanation. If you spend half of your life getting something your body is dependant on and suddenly it is taken away. That is too much stress on a fetus. Don't be so judgemental until you have the whole story.

Answer 11

hahahahahahaah, because they are stupid and aren't educated???? Where do you people come from? The sticks???

They do because they can. Kudos to you for not doing it. Mind your own business though. It's no concern of yours what that woman does to her OWN body.

Why do women have abortions? Why do parents smack their kids? Why do YOU smoke even if you aren't pregnant?? Do you just like killing everyone else????? Huh??????
So many questions, and nothing you will fix.

Education doesnt have anything to do with it folks. It's called ADDICTION and if you have never been addicted to anything, then you don't really have any ground to stand on. FYI all you "educated" ones, if you become pregnant and you are a smoker, you are NOT to quit cold turkey anway. Look it up or call your doctor. Duhhhhhhhhhhhh!!!