Why do they say it's better to cut back on smoking then to just quit when your pregnant?

Question

When I went back to my OB/GYNs office to update my information for this pregnancy, they told me it's better to decrease then just quit cold turkey. Why is that?

Answer 1

Because your baby will also go through withdrawals...just like you.
Also, quitting cold turkey is more stressful than decreasing...therefore creating more stress on baby as well.
Granted...it can cause many problems if you smoke during pregnancy...but you can have just as many problems without smoking at all.
My mom didn't smoke while pregnant with my sister and she has severe athsma. She did smoke with me, and I am absolutley 100% healthy and always have been.
I do suggest for your health and that of your child that you do decrease your intake.....but don't freak out over it or you will just want to smoke more.
Those out there who are NOT or never have been addicted to cigarettes will NEVER be able to understand...so just filter through the ignorant comments that you will most likely recieve from this question...and take the best care of yourself and your baby that you possibly can.
Good luck and CONGRATULATIONS!!

Answer 2

Because cold turkey usually causes more stress then just cutting back. If you are a smoker I also suggest switching to American Spirit brand of cigarettes. I did, and I feel so much better already- They do not add in *any* ingredients other than the tabacco plant, they do not even add any extra nicotine. It took about two weeks to get used to, but after that, no more coughing, no more *cravings* I think I have cut back to on average about 5 smokes a day- sometimes more depending on the day. And that is all just because of habbit, my next step to conqour to quitting.

I also noticed a huge difference when I would go to the bar and be around all those other people who smoke camel and marb, when I come home, the next morning I am coughing up flem and my chest hurts, badly. There is a big difference with the smokes I am using now. Even though I am a smoker, I now understand how non smokers feel, and do not complain so much about all these laws that keep poping up about no smoking.

Answer 3

Same reason you shouldn't lose weight while your pregnant. It puts stress on the baby. I had 2 high risk pregnancies which already had put stress on both of my babies. I told my doctor I smoked when I was pregnant with my first and he said not to quit but to cut back and I did. I cut back from a pack and a half a day to 2 or 3 cigarettes a day. Just so you know I didn't have a quack for a doctor; he graduated medical school in 65 so I'm sure he knew a thing or two abotu delivering babies.

Answer 4

Quitting anything straight away, is always more difficult and shocking to the system. I quit everything as soon as I found out I was pregnant. I smoked for 20 years and used Nicoderm for about 3 weeks and now Im good to go. The dr told me that using Nicoderm is better than actually smoking because you are finding a means to an end, not just a way at cutting back.

Congratulations and Good Luck

Answer 5

Once you have been smoking for a while your body becomes dependent on the nicotine. Cutting off your bodys supply is like cutting off your air, your body freaks out and you can go into shock. I quit cold turkey with my first pregnancy and had a miscarrage, not that that is what caused it but the doc said it was a contributing factor. Just cut down the strenght and number of smokes and your baby will be fine.

Answer 6

I smoked through my pregnancy with my son and was told the same because quitting cold turkey will cause you to detox and thus the baby also and that stress on the baby can cause it to die or have severe medical problems. I smoked till the night before my son was born and he is happy healthy and super smart. Please no thumbs down for this cause i regret every smoke i ever had with him and worry everyday if something later in his life will be affected by it.

Answer 7

Another thing to think about is if you are still smoking when the baby is born, the baby will be quitting cold turkey.
So back off the smoking and then quit. Let your child have a chance.

Answer 8

You need to gradually cut back, and then go on the Nicoderm patch. You don't want to shock your system or the baby's. But you so need to quit, and ASAP. Smoking causes lower birth weights, pre-term labor, increases the risk of miscarriage, and is pumping chemicals through your unborn child. If you plan to nurse, you want to quit long before you plan to do that too. Medical studies show that smoking alters the taste of breast milk (It tastes like cigarette ash!) and the same chemicals will go into the baby through the breastmilk.

Answer 9

yes, like everyone's saying, it will cause stress on the baby.... but what the doc's are concerened about, is that you quit completely, then slip up and start smoking agian, full strenthg like you did before, and that's worse on the baby than anything.... cut down to 2 or 3 a day, then when the baby's born, stop all togegher,,,, you won't find a bettter time to quit.... lol

(i smoke too, and i hope i've quit by the time i get pg!!)

good luck, and congrats!!!

Answer 10

I think it's because the stress of giving up smoking would adversely affect the health of your unborn child. Don't worry too much, just eat really well, good clean, fresh, vital living foods, get plenty of fresh air and sunshine and be happy babe...........That's the ingredient you know find the happy spot.....Worry bout cutting down smoking at a less stressful time..................ummmmmmmm not many times like that are there!!!.....Good luck :)