Does anyone have a child with whom they smoked cigarettes with while pregnant?

Question

I have a 2 1/2 year old who I stopped smoking with about 4 months along (during pregnancy), and he has asthma. I still smoke (outside) about 5 cigarettes a day (used to smoke 15), and am 4 1/2 months pregnant. I'm worried I'm hurting my child, and try to smoke as little as possible. I KNOW I SHOULD QUIT...that isn't the case at the moment. Has anyone smoked during pregnancy who now has a healthy child? I need to be put at some ease..like I said, I cut back tremendously and do want to quit........so?

Answer 1

I smoked with my first son and he is completely healthy, no asthma etc and I am pregnant now and have once again cut down alot but I haven't quit. Too much stress because of how much I smoke when I am not pregnant. Asthma can also be caused by allergys to common things or it could also be in your family backround somewhere! Good luck!!

Answer 2

It's a hard question. It's about 50/50. The biggest threat though of smoking is low birth weight and more chance of premature labor and birth. Do you smoke in the car? I know people who smoke outside but in the car. But, there is still as much of a chance your child will come out healthy. It's hard to quit, but speaking for a pregnant woman who smoked 2 packs a day before pregnant, quiting IS possible. It's very hard but it is possible. Since you are cutting back it does cut much of the risk. Just make sure you avoid smoking in any closed spaces. Or try to avoid places that smoke around your child. 5 cigarettes a day is much better. Try talking to your doctor. They might suggest the nicotine gum or patch or something to help. I think what made me quit is knowing that I did not want to chance that chance of premature. My sister smoked all throughout her pregnancy. She had twins (which made things worse) and smoked 1 pack a day. They were born at 2 pounds. She had always said her other children didn't have any problems. It was that one time. They were preemie but they are very healthy now. It's hard enough being afraid when you are pregnant to begin with, but I will tell you kudos for cutting back. It is a start and quitting can be accomplished. But you are concerned so you know there is some risk.

Answer 3

Well, Selfish? Yes. Abuse/Neglect? No. Addiction is a serious illness and sometimes its just not easy to quit. I promised myself If I ever got pregnant, I would quit cold turkey and never look back, that did not happen. I actually struggled with the habit till about a month ago. I ended up letting the addiction go at 4 months pregnant, I am now 5 months pregnant. I think people should actively try to quit and cut back, Those that just continue to smoke a pack a day are very selfish. Yes, Its a hard addiction to break, but its an innocent baby. Most people that smoke thru out pregnancy go on to have healthy babies, but Its still a risk, a risk, Im not willing to take. Now Ive been the addict and I still am, I still miss my cigarettes and think about them all the time, but I did what I had to do for my daughter...I would never call someone a bad parent for lighting up, I dont think its right, but Im also aware there is far worse out there. People just need to mind their business.

Answer 4

Ok, this is not to condone smoking while pregnant, it's just the truth. When my mom was pregnant with me (25 years ago) she smoked the entire time she was pregnant. Her doctor did suggest quiting, but back then they didn't make as big a deal out of it. I wasn't early, but rather almost 2 weeks late. I weighed 8 lbs 7 ounces and was perfectly healthy. I don't have asthma or any other respiratory problems. I did get frequent ear infections as a young child because my mom was still smoking, but she quit when I was five and I haven't had one since. However, I consider myself one of the lucky ones. So many babies are born too small, too early, with respiratory problems, etc. Unfortunately it sounds like your second child might end up with asthma too, but you may get lucky. If you want to have children, you should ideally stop smoking before you conceive. In any case, good luck to you.

Answer 5

My mother smoked with my brothers and sisters whom now all have asthma. I smoked during one of my pregnancies and didnt know I was pregnant and miscarried. Smoking during your pregnancy does harm the baby..asthma,low birth weight,premature,health problems etc.Speak to your doctor,they can usually give you something during your pregnancy that will help with the smoking at no cost to you and offer counseling for that. When I found out I was pregnant I stopped smoking cold turkey(it was hard) But i did it and I was a heavy smoker..I just knew the benefits that would help my child. Just pray about it and throw out the cigarettes,people qit cold turkey all the time,its hard but your baby is worth it. When u smoke the baby gets little oxygen and it is harder for them to breathe. Dont buy the cigarettes and everytime u get a craving look at your babys ultrasound pictures or go online and read about smoking during pregnancy. The baby didnt ask for this. I know u wanna quit and hope u get the strength to do so. Good Luck!

Answer 6

My mother smoked while pregnant with my sister and sorry to say my sister is mentally retarted, enough that she cannot live on her own. My mother stopped smoking when she become pregnant with me, and I have an above average IQ. My father never stopped smoking and smoked around the both of us all the time. None of us have asthma and havent had any other side effects of our parents smoking. Cutting back is a great thing to do if you cant quit. It has to help in some way. Good luck.

Answer 7

My mother in law smoked with all 5 of her pregnancies, non of her children came out to be more than 5 lbs and all 5 of them have some case of asthma wether it be a severe or acute case.

Smoking while pregnant increases the chance of having a low birth weight, premature lungs , and developing asthma in later years of life.

Answer 8

The nicotine in cigarrettes acts like a neurotransmitter in the brain. Recent research has shown that in a developing baby this nicotine exposure can alter the brains developement and future response to other neurotransmitters as well as nicotine. Also, the carbon monoxide in the cigarrette smoke enters your blood stream and attaches to hemoglobin with greater affinity that oxygen. So now you are putting a developing baby who already lives in a low oxygen atmosphere in the womb into an even lower oxygen atmosphere. Your baby too needs oxygen to survive. The baby gets it from your blood stream.
So the truth is that your baby may seem fine, but you can't see inside your baby's brain to see what damage has been done. Maybe your baby would have been a genius, but now is average. And if your baby is born with low birth weight, you know that it was probably your smoking that did it. You have the responsibility to provide your child with the best start to life.

Answer 9

Well i smoked with my daughter who is now 2 1/2 years old, the only issue was that she was 3 weeks early, but then they changed their mind and went back to my ORIGINAL DUE DATE which was July 28th and she was born on the 21st...She has only been sick once in her 2 1/2 years and she seems, acts and looks perfectly healthy..But i do suggest trying to stop i tried my damnest to stop but i was around people who smoked all the time so it was really hard..I would suggest talking to your doctor about options of smoking aids.. Best of luck to you in your pregnancy

Answer 10

I smoked for about the first 8 weeks of pregnancy, and my son is now 19 years old and healthy.