Nicotine Patches?

Question

My best friend is expecting her 2nd baby,and wants to stop smoking has any-one used nicotine patches in pregnancy,we have looked at different sites some say ther safe to use others say no,so we don`t know,oh yeah she did ask her G.P he said he wasn`t sure,he was useless,so can any-one throw some light on this subject please?

Answer 1

I don't smoke, but I did ask my OB because a friend of mine was trying to get pregnant and she smoked. He said that the patch is safer because it doesn't have all the tar and other nasty stuff from the smoke. She used the patch for the first 3 months and her baby is perfectly healthy. Your friend should ask her own OB/GYN, however.

Answer 2

She should get a second opinion... Nicotine is nicotine, either way it is not going to be good. However, inhaling smoke can decrease the oxygen the baby is getting, so it would HAVE to be a lot healthier than actually smoking. She really needs to wane off of the nicotine before she has the baby so that it doesn't suffer from withdraws.

Answer 3

Nicotine replacement therapy during pregnancy
http://motherisk.org/women/updatesDetail.jsp?content_id=344

Alcohol, Nicotine, Substance Use
The Alcohol and Substance Use Helpline - 1-877-327-4636 / [phone]
offers information and counseling to pregnant and breastfeeding women, their families, and health care providers. Helpline information is based on continuing research and study by Motherisk's specialized team of physicians, psychologists, pharmacologists and counselors.
You can reach us:

* Monday to Friday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. in each of Canada's time zones
* toll free within Canada
* in English or French

Answer 4

I dont think I would use the patch. You could have her try a method using cream of Tar Tar and Orange juice. You place a teaspoon of tar tar in a 8oz glass of O.J. and mix it well. Drink before bed time.
This has helped many people give up the smokes. The Tar Tar reacts with the nicotine in the body and safely removes it by going to the bathroom. You can find cream of Tar Tar in the baking area of your store. You may have to give it a week or two to see if it helps. I know people that have used this method and quit, I just did it cold turkey.

Answer 5

nicotine is not safe during pregnancy. It decreases blood flow to the placenta, and interferes with the manufacturing of certain vitamins and minerals vital to fetal development.

However, if it means she will stop smoking, in the long run its better than not quitting. However, other means are going to be best. Such as hypnosis, therapy, support groups, and other things.

Answer 6

You cannot use patches or nicotine gum during pregnancy! Tell her to cut down as much as possible if she can't quit herself and then consider the patches after she's given birth.

However, practices change that are often not highlighted, so she should ask her OB/gyn. If she doesn't get one, then just go with what I said already. Cut back as much as possible and just stay there until baby is born.

Answer 7

Not smart. If a patch is used during pregnancy, the child will be born addicted to nicotine, and will suffer withdrawal one he/she is born. Also, it decreases blood flow to the fetus, and can cause behavioral problems later in the child's life.

Answer 8

No, on the patches, gums, or losenges. (spell?)

No, on just quitting cold turkey because sad enough it can put the baby into shock.

My Dr prescribed Wellbutrin to help me "slow down", then "quit". Although I only gave it a 2 week try, it made me unable to sleep at night and a bit sick to stomach. I wound up slowing down and only smoking 1/2 a cig at a time, and quitting completely a month later.