I just found out that I'm pregnant!!! What is the easiest way to stop smoking?

Question

I'm so excited to be expecting my first child, and I KNOW that I must stop smoking. Lately I've found myself smoking more than usual, what should I do? Cold turkey doesn't seem to be the best choice for me...any suggestions

Answer 1

Quitting cold turkey isn't always the best solution when you are pregnant, it can put a lot of stress on you and that is just as harmfull to the baby as smoking. My midwife told me to cut one cigarette out per week. So if I was smoking 15 per day then next week only smoke 14 until you can quit. Count them out each morning and limit yourself to only the ones you have set out that day. Also when a craving hits try eating a lolli-pop or a popcicle, or munch on some baby carrots or something to distract you to keep your mind off of it. Hope this helps and your are succesfull.

Answer 2

First of all, congratulations!
You are about to create the miracle of life! I ensure as a mother, that you want this baby to be is healthy as they can. What you do now impacts the growth of your baby and your baby future health.
I believe that "cold turkey" is the best method for you. Hypnosis is also an alternative. In the meantime there are couple of exercises I would like you to do. Right now, smoking is as much of a habit as it is an addiction. I want you to first work on the habit part. I want you to think about the times that you most associate with a cigarette; after eating, in the car, on the telephone, with your coffee etc. from now on you cannot smoke during those times. For example, you must lock your cigarettes in the trunk when you drive the car. If you really need a cigarette, you can stop the car get outside and smoke one but you cannot smoke in the car. It will take about two weeks to start breaking the habit. During this time you'll start realizing how few of your cigarettes you actually enjoy.
The second thing I want you to do is start imagining the smoke and poisons (there are more than 3000 components to cigarettes at least a dozen of them are cancer-causing for you and possibly your baby) going into your lungs into your bloodstream and into the baby's bloodstream. Imagine the baby starting to become irritable, coughing, hacking, kicking etc.. I want you to imagine this with every cigarette that you inhale. If you do this, you will notice in about two weeks that you really start hating your cigarettes. At this point, you'll be ready to "walk away" it won't seem as though you are getting up anything, but rather starting a new life with you and your baby.
Additional resources include and one cars "the easy way to stop smoking", the American lung Association, the American Cancer Society, also I would be happy to send you a copy of a paper I wrote on "how to go cold turkey". I am currently working on a project to help pregnant mothers quit smoking, unfortunately it will not be finished in time to help you. I would be interested in your input however.
Once you have done the above "homework steps" and are mentally at the point of hating your cigarettes, please feel free to contact me via e-mail or through my discussion board for further assistance.
Best wishes,



Sincerely,

Kirk G. Voelker MD
Pulmonary & Critical Care Medicine
Founder Quit Doc Smoking Treatment Network
www.QuitDoc.com

Please Note: This note was dictated using Dragon Naturally Speaking v8.0 while exercising on an eliptical trainer, so excuse any transcription errors.

Answer 3

It should be easy to stop cold turkey if you love your child enough.I just found out I was pregnant about 2 weeks ago and I stopped that same day and havent looked back, I feel great too! I was a heavy smoker so I know you can do it!!! Smoking is all in your head!! Cravings only last a minute so when you get a craving all of a sudden, think about something for a FULL minute and then the craving will be gone. Good luck.

Answer 4

I quit like around 10 weeks ago and i feel so much better. My doctor scared me to death that's why i quit. I didn't realize how many health risks there were from smoking. She told me everytime you want a cigarette instead of lighting one up drink a full glass of water. You can also take a jog until you get out of breath then you won't want one. When you are out of breath you don't wanna smoke, well i don't ne ways. And always have a pack of gum on hand that always helps too. Well hope this helps. Good luck Girl.

Answer 5

Congratulations! Now stop smoking. I am sure you dont want your child to have respiratory problems and when you consider that you wont be a lot of good to your kids when you are dead it does make sense to stop. I smoked 40 a day and yes it was difficult, but if i can do it anyone can. I am sure you would rather have a lovely, healthy baby than a cigarette.I really wish you every luck in the world.

Answer 6

Congratulations Kitty,
I am 20 weeks pregnant and I was a smoker. I smoked up to my 9Th week of pregnancy and I was so sick all the time that I just couldn't stand the smell of cigarettes let alone smoke one. You can try letting your heart lead your way by knowing that every drag of a cigarette you take takes oxygen away from your baby. When you smoke and inhale the nicotine your baby cannot breath at that moment so hopefully that will help you a bit but, chances are your heart will take over or the nausea will and you'll stop soon . If not then talk to your Dr. for some suggestions. I smoked with my second child and he wound up being premature and was in the NICU for 28 days with tubes down his throat and they had to inflate one of his lungs because they weren't fully developed and I.V's in his head it was a horrible horrible thing to go through and I just had to watch it can you imagine what that poor innocent baby was going through?Hopefully some of these scare tactics will help you stop. Not trying to sound or be mean just trying to help you and your baby.

Answer 7

Cold turkey is the only way for me.... Just remind yourself why you are doing it...

And when you get the urge to smoke... designate a "buddy" and call them immediately to help you not pick up the cigarette. Or find something to occupy yourself until the urge passes. Changing part of your habits is also helpful... if you smoke first thing with a cup of coffee... skip the coffee and have tea... just vary your routine when you would smoke... and remember always you are doing it so you can have the healthiest most beautiful baby... he/she will appreciate it!!!! I wish you the best... it is hard to stop smoking. Congrats on seeing the need!!

Answer 8

i was a smoker when i got pregnant with my first and only child at the age of 33 ..after being told that i may not ever concieve,when i found i was pregnant i was so happy. knowing that smoking was something that could very well damage or distroy this most wonderfull blessing...that was incentive enough for me ,but that was me so just evey time you want to light up put a lollipop in your mouth instead and emagine your precious little one sucking on it instead right now ,what you do "BABY" do good luck have healty baby...

Answer 9

Hi,
Since I quit, I'm constanly now being asked by friends, "How Do I Stop Smoking?"
I really empathise with you, I quit my 20 a day habit in a pain-free way!
No stress, no cravings, no weight gain, no pills, patches or gums.
(I'd tried everything else, like you)
The program I followed was recommended by a friend and now boasts a 90% success rate and is 100% fully guaranteed - can't say fairer than that.

If you really intend on quitting this is it.

All the best..

http://tinyurl.com/t7a82

Answer 10

well i just found out that i am 11 weeks and 2 days pregnant. all i can say is that I'm not going to quit smoking. my sister in law just had a baby and she smoked two packs a day through out the nine months and the baby came out 8lbs even with perfectly healthy lungs and everything else. that also what my mom did when she had me.