Quitting smoking is tough, any suggestions?

Question

I am 9 weeks pregnant and have been trying to quit smoking. I've cut down to 10 or less a day. I used to be 1-1/2 pk smoker a day for 10 years. It's extremely difficult for me....even cutting down to 10 or less, and that has proven tricky, but I've done that. Any of you have any advice on how to quit? I know it's important, I don't need people telling me how it affects me and the baby....I've heard all that before. Anyone in the same boat, or have been?

Answer 1

Wow; you sure attracted a lot of jerks. I wonder how they thought babies were born in the 1950s? (Severely 'abused,' and crippled for life, I suppose.) I fully concur with "Don't listen to the haters - you are on the right track."

Getting down to a barely noticeable level should, I think, be your goal before quitting if you can't go 'cold turkey.'

Try smoking a half cigarette at a time. Put your pack in an industrial paper cutter if need be.

See what 'triggers' you can get rid of -- if a hot beverage leads you to light up, nix the hot drinks for a bit.

I like the idea to go outside. If you're in a warm place and have a nice patio, though, that might not be such a big deal, but.

One bonus of smoking less: the ciggies in your pack will more often than not be unappetisingly stale. You might take that a step further and limit yourself to a brand you ordinarily find foul; menthol if you don't normally smoke menthol, say. Though that can backfire a bit; don't if you find yourself merely frustrated and continuing to smoke even more of the unpleasant brand because it's not really offering what you were looking for.

Food helps. A few extra pounds are better than the ciggies. Go buy some really good cheeses, fruits, etc, and reward yourself. Actually, any sort of 'reward' system is good. Even silliness: 'I will go out and get the book I wanted to pick up (or go to the restaurant I wanted to go to, or...) tomorrow, but only if I smoke two or fewer cigs...'

Note to the "haters": you are not helping. Anybody. AT ALL.

Answer 2

Yes I was in the same boat. I smoked about a pack a day before I got pregnant. While I was pregnant I smoke 10-12 a day. It was even harder tho becuase knowing you have to slow down makes you think about it more and makes you want to smoke more. I used to stub my ciggs out so I could smoke like every 10 minutes and not feel as bad! My baby was born healthy. Maybe a little small, but trust me when that babys comming out your glad its small. LOL my friend also smoked durring pregnancy and had an 8lb baby so I really dont belive in the low birth weight thing. If you really want to quit and cut down do things that keep you accupied. Yeah I know its harder than it sounds but thats reallyt he only thing that worked for me. (cleaning,shopping,walking) Good luck and congrats. Your baby will be just fine

Answer 3

I am in the same boat as you are. My doctor said not to stop all together at once but to gradually stop. I use to smoke about 1 pack a day and now I am down to 7 a day. It does take alot to do. YOU CAN DO IT !! If you mess up a day just go on with the next, do not get mad or stressed out it will make it worse. GOOD LUCK and just keep telling yourself...... YOU CAN DO IT !!

Answer 4

I am currently 37 weeks pregnant tomorrow, and I too was a 1 1/2-2 packs a day smoker. It was really hard for me to quit, but I tried to taper myself off like you are, and it made it harder for me. You really need to just eliminate cigarettes from your day to day completely. Stay away from smokers, throw out your cigarettes, empty and wash out all your ashtrays, go buy some gum, and suckers too (they help with the hand to mouth thing). I kept telling everyone and myself that I wanted to be wheeled outside as soon as that baby is out of me, so that I could smoke a cigarette. I have been having dreams of smoking. Its still hard after I eat because I want one so badly. Everytime I cry I want one, because that's what I did before. And I have been crying a lot...hormones and all. It gets a little easier as time goes on, but it's still hard. I don't think I ill smoke anymore though. I know that it has to be a decision that I make on my own.You know the effects it has on your baby, and you have to decide what you can handle. My mother smoked while she was pregnant with me and my brother and we both turned out to be healthy happy adults.

Answer 5

No i haven't been in your same boat , but
my mom has emphaseyma, my bro and sis smoke and my granny died of emphaseyma.

I think the best thing you can do is to take the stress away.

When you get stressed and want to smoke,eat, - buy some roast beef , like a pound, from the deli.

Keep it at your desk and when your stressing out, eat a peice of meat.

its supposed to relax you.

Stay away from smokers, and beer, and bars.

if your co-worker smokes ask her to smoke outside, so you can't smell it,

Or even to quit with you, just to help you out.

And change your routine, sometimes if your in the same routine it just makes you wan to fill in that time with smoking or something familiar.

I just want to say I am very proud of your effort to stop smoking for your baby. Its not easy , and i know you have enough guilt just thinking about it.

Thank you for atleast trying, good luck

And congratulations!

Meg

Answer 6

i was a pack a day smoker when i found out i was pregnant i cut down to 5 a day and told myself to only smoke at certain hours of the day also it was early spring so it was still freezing cold ( i live in northern canada) so i found it very hard and the doctor suggested i not quit at all because of the stress it might create for the baby
But i was very lucky one day i had bought a new pack and put one in my mouth and trew up before even lighting it and ever since then i havnt had the stomach to smoke my ex continued and didnt care that even the smell of it really made me upset
your not even allowed to go on the patch while pregnant

good luck

Answer 7

I have seen great results from people using Hypnosis. It seems to work better with private sessions rather than group ones and you have to really want to quit. Find a good hypnotherapist and realise that even if it costs a lot you are saving in the long run, in both cost of cigarettes and health costs.
Best wishes.

Answer 8

Great that you are cutting down.

Start to create smoke free zones in your life

NEVER In your home - not you not anyone

NEVER in your car - not you not anyone.

DOn't hang out with smokers who are smoking. Ask your friends to help you support your pregnancy by respecting your limitations.

Start Cleaning everything that smells like cigarettes and limit yourself to starting later and later every day.

Talk to your ob/gyn about support during this time. Hypnosis or acupuncture may also help.

Don't listen to the haters - you are on the right track.

Answer 9

It is very tough. I got pregnant with my daughter and tried to quit. I did not and on 8/21/06 I gave birth to a healthy beautiful girl. I know that if I get pregnant again I will quit b/c I was very nervous and very guilty. Good luck.

Answer 10

yes i have quit for a week today. yeah for me. It was hard for me too. What i did was set a date that i would quit. Pick one a week from now. On that date throw away all ash trays lighters cig everything .Don't allow yourself to buy more and stay away from people who do smoke. Im chewing alot more gum and eating Jolly ranchers like there no tomorow. but i did it and so can you. just think of who you are doing it for. good luck and don't give up.