Ways to quit smoking? Anyone?

Question

I just found out I'm pregnant, I'm almost 9 weeks. I've been smoking for almost 10 years. I'm a pack to a pack and a half smoker a day. When I found out I was preggo, I immediately cut down to 10 or less a day. I want to quit, but it's extremely hard! I'm just proud that I could cut back to 10 or less. And if I'm at work, the number is even less. If you all have some tips, I'd greatly appreciate it!

Answer 1

Well, normally I'd tell you to do it the way I'm doing it which is slowly and gradually, but since you're pregnant and as much as it sucks cause I've done this before, I think cold turkey would be best. For you and the baby. It's just so, so, so bad for the little guy/girl inside you and I know you don't want to hurt the baby so cold turkey would the best thing. Just stop now and each cigarrette you don't smoke is one less that your baby smokes with you. For me, exercise is fantastic! It releases endorphines which give you a natural high, a rush of energy and good feelings. Even a quick walk around the block when you feel like a smoke will do wonders. Taking a shower or a bath when the urge comes also helps. Hard candy or lollipops or licorice...gives you something to have in your hand so you can satisfy that whole hand-to-mouth thing. If you smoke in your car, throw away the ashtray and lighter and do a deep clean of your car so you can feel good about yourself when you get in it next time and don't smell smokey residue. Tell people you are trying to quit so you have support. Join www.quitnet.com or something like that so you can have people online to talk to when you are feeling like you're about to go out of your skin. Regular sugar free gum like Trident or Extra is really good for me, too. Puts a nice minty flavor in your mouth. And most of all, if you slip, don't beat yourself up. Ask any doctor or anyone that has studied the struggle that quitting smoking is and they'll tell you it's the hardest thing to do. I have a friend that was able to quit drinking and quit heroin - been sober and drug free for over two years - but she can't quit smoking. So just tell yourself "one day at a time" or even "one hour at a time" and give yourself a huge pat on the back for every little or big victory because when you are finally quit, you'll be able to tell yourself you did one of the hardest things there is to do and your baby will be forever grateful.

Hope I helped!

Answer 2

while absolutely no nicotine is best, if you feel that is unmanageable, the patch or gum is a safer alternitive. i reccomend the patch because it seems like the gum continues to reinforce the hand to mouth habit. after about a week of not smoking you will start feeling proud of your accomplishment and notice that you smell better, cough less, and aren't concerned with when or how you are going to get your next cigarette which makes it easier. you could also put away 3.50 per day that you would of spent on cigarettes and use that money towards your nursery and baby supplies. i have heard also that fruit juice contains a chemical that interferes with neurotransmitters and reduces cravings. good luck and congratulations.

Answer 3

GO FROM 1 1/2 PACKS A DAY TO ONE CIGARETTE A DAY.
I would think it would be more trauma for your body if you quit 100%. COLD TURKEY..... Your body would go through major withdrawal, and that cant be a healthy environment. Not to mention the stress on you.
I would smoke 1 cigarette a day , especially coming off of 1 1/2 packs a day.
Ideally you would want to NOT SMOKE ANYTHING.... but like I said, 1-2 cigarettes a day would keep your body more stable.

When I quit, I chewed on a lot of straws. I would hold them between the fingers I held my cigarette. I would pretend to smoke them too.... pretend to ash them.... it looked silly, but my brain seemed to respond.

Our generation is so much more careful than my grandmothers generation. She smoked and drank gin during her 7 pregnancies and my dad, aunts and uncles seem okay.

Answer 4

Go cold Turkey! I have cut down from 2 packs a day to 3 cigarettes a day, it isn't working very good. When I stopped before it worked best when I went Cold Turkey. Keep something in your fingers like a pen or pencil and if you must, chew on them.

Answer 5

I'm not sure about the patch's safety during pregnancy. But, I'm on my 3 time quitting and I've done it most every time with the patch. It takes the edge off your cravings and does give you some control.

I didn't have any luck with the gum.

Ask you doctor is the patch is safe for you to use during pregnancy. Mostly, you've really got to want to quit. It's freaking difficult to quit and stay quit!

Answer 6

A friend of mine's doctor suggested that she NOT stop smoking cold, because the withdrawal effects on your body from cutting out nicotine cold turkey will, I assume, also compromise the health of your fetus.

Talk to a doctor about it before you do anything drastic. She'll tell you what's best for your baby!

Answer 7

Have a chat with your doctor and see if they can give you something to help you quit while pregnant. I know its hard as I smoked through one of my pregnancies and I've always regretted it and wished I hadn't been a selfish b i t c h as my child has asthma and I know its my fault

Answer 8

there is no easy answer to your question......if its not against doctors orders you could try nicotine gum in combination with one of those fake cigarettes you know the ones that you cant lite but you can use when you get an urge and pretend smoke.....the gum will help with the nicotine and the fake cigarette will help with the habit of holding something in your hand and putting it in your mouth...good luck on whatever choice you make

Answer 9

Go get some Nicorrete Gum. It always worked very well for me. Make sure you get the mint flavor with the coating.

Answer 10

There is only one sure way to quit smoking and that it to not smoke.

Yes, there will be discomfort, you are addicted to a drug, but in the end it is worth it!

No one ever died from craving a cigarette, but they have died due to smoking!

Quitting is not easy, but it is simple. Simply don't smoke!

Visit www.quitnet.com for support!