Pregnancy and cigarette smoking?

Question

I can't seem to quit smoking and I am 5 weeks pregnant.

My doctor advised me to cut back and quit gradually, and I am doing that.

I have cut back from a pack day (pre-pregnancy) to 2 or 3 cigarettes a day(smoking a little piece at time, then putting it out and saving the rest for later.)

My husband (with my last pregnancy) thought I was a monster for my occasional slip up.... But this time, he is more supportive and accepting, hoping that if I taper off I will quit for good. (even after this baby is born)

Does anyone have any suggestions on ways to quit and take my mind off cigarettes?
And am I a bad person for not quitting "cold turkey?"

Answer 1

I wasn't pregnant when I quit, and you may be too tired during your first semester, but here's what I did. I walked. And walked. And walked. And walked. Whenever I got a craving, I went for a walk.

Perhaps you will have more energy for that during trimester 2. Drink lots of water too. Then, you be too busy peein' to want to smoke.

Good luck!!!

Answer 2

I would have quite cold turkey, i dont risk the long term health of my children for the sake of my addictions. I work for philip morris. And I know what smoking does to the unborn, i dont care how wonderful the baby is once its here, at some point either during the pregnancy or in the childs life, that smoking will come back to haunt it. Besides that, while you are smoking, oxygen doesnt get to the baby for that amount of time, theres all sorts of effects from the chemicals, not to mention huge long term health risks for the child.

My mom quit cold turkey with me. And my dad quit cold turkey when my mom got pregnant again with my brother and he realized it was effecting me and her and the baby. My gramma didnt touch a ciggarette during her pregnancies with my mom and aunt, even though she'd been smoking 3 packs a day since age 15.

But atleast you're accepting that something needs to be done, and you're picking the best course of action that you can stick with. That is so much better than nothing.

Answer 3

Quitting smoking is really really tough!
I was lucky because even the smell of cigarettes made me horribly ill while I was pregnant so I never craved them. Although right after my son was born I wanted one again! Kind of crazy! The most helpful thing I have found are little coffee stirring straws. You can hold them in your fingers like a cigarette, you can also pull air through them, basically imitating smoking. Plus you can chew on them which really helps to keep you from eating a lot!
With that said I think that Cigarettes are like any other drug. You have to REALLY want to quit in order to kick the habit for good. Look at internet sites that have pictures of black lungs, or read about the connection between smoking and birth defects. That might help inspire you to quit!
Good Luck with it.... It's really really bad for you and your baby! I hope you can find the will-power to quit soon! Don't let others on here get you down, I'm sure they are going to be really mean to you! Just do the best you can do! Eventually you'll kick the habit!

Answer 4

I dont think many people can quit cold turkey. Although I have never been a smoker and have no desires to ever be one I live with a smoker who I want so badly for him to quit. No your are not a bad person for not quitting cold turkey like you said, you have cut down and thats the first step. Just remember everything you put into your body that beautiful baby of yours is getting also. Smoking also can cause many problems with your baby and pregnancy and though you were lucky the first go around you may not be lucky this time. My husband is trying to quit and as odd as this sounds anytime he has the urge to smoke he gets a drink of water {and man does he drink alot of water} he's not allowed to smoke in the house or around the kids and with it being below zero up here most days this month I was hoping that would make him quit quicker but it doesnt he just bundles up and complains his legs are numb when he comes in.

I wish you luck

Answer 5

you are not bad for quitting cold turkey my doctor has advised me NOT to quit cold turkey because it can cause miscarrages since your baby is a forne object that your body is having to get use to and then you quit like that your body may reject the baby from withdrawls. (Hope that makes sence I am not as good at explaining it as my doctor) He told me to cut down and if posible stop but not to stress over it because that is just as bad as smoking. I was smoking 2 packs a day before I found out I was pregnant with my first child and I cut down to 5 a day. I am now 14 weeks with my second child and I was smoking 1pack a day before finding out I was pregnant this time and I have cut down to 2 or 3 cigarettes just like you smoking only half at a time. My son came out lovely and beautiful and perfect so no worries just try to stop as best as you can. Ask your doctor about using the gum or something like that that helps you stop.

Answer 6

Congratulations on your pregnancy and good for you for cutting back so much, keep going! You're not a bad person for not quitting cold turkey. I've never been a smoker so I've never had to quit, but maybe by focusing on all the things you're protecting you unborn child from by quitting--carbon monoxide (what people commit suicide with when they start the car in a closed garage), arsenic, and all the other additives it will help keep your mind off smoking. I saw a documentary on the history channel about how cigarettes are made and that alone should keep anyone from wanting to put one in their mouth.

Answer 7

The only thing that worked for me was every time I wanted a cigarette was to think of my unborn son. Seems sappy but it was what worked.
Once I got our first ultrasound done I kept that picture with me every where I went...wanted a smoke took out the picture. I made my hubby stop smoking in the house & car & whenever he was around me.
Now I'd like to say I quit forever but I started up again when our son was 3 months old after a hellish stress day. But now 3 years later both my hubby & me have quit for 6 months now. What motivated us to quit...once again our son. We never went back to smoking in the house/car or around the boy but all it took was a whole lot of chest pain and a smack in the face to pay attention to our longevity.
So we quit so we can see our son someday graduate, get married & perhaps a grandchild.
Good luck!!

Answer 8

I am having the worst time quitting myself. I am 14 weeks pregnant and sometimes I go 3 days without one and other days I have about 3. What has helped me was having a jar full of cigarette butts and water and everytime I want one, i take a sniff of the jar that it grosses me out soooo bad, that I don't want the cigarette anymore. If I am out and my cravings are really strong, then I slip up and have one. It is SO hard and I completely understand. I hope this helps you. And good work so far :o)

Answer 9

First of all I used to smoke and I totally understand how very hard it is to quit. So I am not preaching to you and I totally empathize with you. However, it is not just your life that you are having effect an affect on. It is you husband, your other child and the baby you are carrying. Of course it is your choice, but you need to think about what you are doing to each of those people that you obviously love dearly. Quitting cold turkey can cause alot of distress and so you need to talk alot of this over with your physician and with your husband present, so that he understands as well what is going to be happening. You already know all of the risks involved, so you need to make up your mind what you want and need to do and then do it with hopefully all of the support that you could possibly need from everyone around. One thing that I did find helpful to me, was to take everything out of the house that reminded me of smoking and do everything differently that my normal routine was with regard to my smoking. I wish you the very best with everything.

Answer 10

You need to quit. It's only 9 months. 8 now. You are not a bad person, but you need to try very hard this little baby inside you is depending on you for everything right now. Please, for the health of your baby, give him or her the best start in life and quit. Keep tapering off if you must, but your love for the child should help you to do it quickly or "cold turkey"

Answer 11

You arent a bad person, its really hard to do. I gave up at about 6 weeks along, I wanted the patches but they wouldnt give them to me coz i was pregnant. I think the easiest way of doing it is thinking how bad it can be for the baby. Also is there certain activities that you smoke with? I used to have one with my morning coffee, when i was waiting for a bus, on my tea break at work, etc, so instead of a morning coffee and smoke, I ate a bowl of cereal, i got to the bus stop right on time, and on my tea break i would go and post the mail, or pop inot the bank or something. Its a habit thing, so if you can train yourself out of the habit then you should be right (and you gotta really wanna quit)