Smoking While Pregnant?

Question

I am pregnant and I am a smoker, I am trying to stop but I find it very hard. I was wondering if the patch or gum would be safer for my baby while I am trying to quit!

Answer 1

I am glad that you have the right notion to quit. And it is going to be tough, make sure that you don't get too stressed out over it, and there really isn't an easy way to quit, ex the patch or gum. Cold turkey would be your best bet, but discuss options with your doctor. A lot of people don't quit because of a tremendous weight gain, that they are afraid of, hey....you get a bonus here, you quit smoking, and you get to gain weight because your pregnant, there is no better time to quit!!!

Answer 2

The doctor would know more about which one is safer. When my Friend, a heavy smoker, was pregnant with her 3rd the doctor told her to quit cold turkey was as bad and as stressful to the baby as smoking in the first place. He then advised her to slowly ween herself from cigarettes, she found chewing gum helped.

Be proud of yourself for making the choice and the effort to quit. It is hard no matter if you are pregnant or not, to quit.

Answer 3

Just try your hardest without the patch or gum, or better yet, talk to your doctor. Don't listen to all of those who say "oh my God!! You should know better!!"....they're probably not even smokers. They have no clue what it's like. Of course, smoking is not good for anyone, pregnant or not....but you have to remember that most of these labels and warnings are for legal purposes. As a result...many people have become brainwashed and therefore think that pregnant women should live in a plastic bubble for nine months. You know what's best for you and your baby. Best of luck to you.

Answer 4

You should definitely ask your doctor about this one. Niether of those things are safe, but then again quitting cold turkey can leave you stressed (I know I've seen plenty of people try to quit in my time) and stress isn't good for you or the baby. You may want to gradually cut back until you're off cigarettes completely. I mean say you smoke 10 cigs a day. Smoke one less each day until you're not smoking if you find that to be easier for you. Quitting cold turkey may end up with you just continuing to smoke. It's better to kick the habit and kick it for good.

It's definitely not good for the baby if you smoke, basically everytime you have a cigarette you're depriving them of oxygen, (That thought may help in your decision to quit) and there are some serious health risks for him/ her. It's also not good for you. But I'm sure you've heard enough preaching in your life about the dangers of smoking so I won't go over them again.

I am a non smoker so I don't know what it feels like to quit, but I've seen many family members try.

Good on you for wanting to do the right thing for your baby, and good for you for making the effort when so many people don't. Good luck to you and definitely talk to your doctor!

Answer 5

I wouldn't do either.

I would try regular gum or hard Candy's.

Don't just up and quit because the baby will go through the same withdrawals you do.

Some tips...
Stay away from people that smoke until you have quit and the cravings go away. This way your not tempted to beg from them or puff off of them.

Think of the baby and what your doing to it (not to jump your case....just being serious)

Have your husband jump your case every time you smoke.....it WILL get old......been there done that! It will help.

Try taking up a hobby to fill your time. And avoid things that trigger cravings.

Good luck Hun.

Everyone who is bashing her shouldn't be because at least she is trying to do whats best....most people don't stop at all!

Answer 6

That's something that you should really ask your doctor. I saw in a report, that it's not the nicotine that's harmful to us, it's the tar. But, I'm not sure if the nicotine by itsself is harmful to a fetus.

I smoked for 12 years when I got pregnant and I also found it really hard. I just used regular gum and mints and stuff whenever I had a craving. I also started doing stuff with my hands, like puzzles and that really helped too.

Good luck with quitting. That's the best thing you could do for your baby.

Answer 7

talk to your doctor for advice...but neither of those are a cure all. You have to really want to quit. Neither of those worked for me when I tried to quit. I did it cold turkey. Best thing I ever did. I still want a cig every now and then, but the happiness that I accomplished this feat is alot stronger than the desire to smoke.
And the second time I quit, I was PG though I didn't know it. About 6 wks after I quit I found out I was PG. So I used the thought of my poor little baby coughing up brown phlem as a tool to keep me from giving in to any cravings.

Answer 8

Although smoking is not good for anyone, it is certainly not a good idea when you are pregnant, ask your Doctor about the patch, or gum. Your Doctor would be the best bet, best wishes to you and hope it is not too hard to quit.

Answer 9

i also had to quit when i got pregnant, and it was hard. the thing i did was everytime i wanted/ needed a cigarette, i would eat hard candy, or chew, or anything else to occupy my time until the craving passed. it took about a month, and i did restart after 5 or so month, and my baby turned out fine. no complications, healthy weight, all that jazz. so do whatever works for you, and if it seems too hard, don't give in, get a support system. other moms-to-be, others trying to quit, someone who will truely understand. good luck and i wish you the best!!

Answer 10

I know it's hard but you will most likely need to go cold turkey. There are some medications out there but you would need to talk to your obgyn to see if they're safe to take while pregnant. Also there are lots of support groups for quitting smoking - look them up and you can perhaps get a shoulder to lean on during your battle with quitting.
Best wishes