20 weeks pregnant and I need help?!?!?

Question

I am 20 weeks pregnant and I cannot seem to kick my smoking habit. When I found out I was expecting (at about 6 weeks) I was smoking a pack or more a day. I have cut down (as per my gp's advice) to 3 a day. My GP told me it was dangerous to quit abruptly so she told me to slowly cut back.

I should really have quit by now but I am find it really hard to kick my 3 butt a day habit. I am wondering if anyone else out there has gone through this and what they did to break the habit.

Please no discrimination, I am aware of the consequences...that is why I am seeking help

Thank you everyone for your answers...but what I am looking for here are creative (and healthy) ways to quit...thanks again!

Answer 1

I had a good friend who was in the same boat. She smoked her three a day right up until she delivered. Her doctor told her that if smoking three a day was the very worst thing she did while pregnant, then she was doing OK. You already know you're doing something that's risky, so if there's just NO WAY you can abstain, then make darn sure you're eating right, exercising, getting plenty of rest, and abstaining from alcohol. Take your vitamins too! I'm not a smoker, so I won't pretend to know what you're going through. I can only wish you luck!

Ps. As far as those who say they have healthy toddlers and smoked a pack a day while pregnant, etc....studies are proving every day that there are more long-term health issues than were previously realized when it comes to the effects of cigarette smoking while pregnant. Just because your toddler is healthy right now doesn't mean there won't be long-tern consequences.

Answer 2

I can relate. I'm 11 weeks and was finding it hard to quit smoking (usually I had 1 - 3 every other day). With my first pregnancy, I couldn't stand the smell or thought of it and this time I had no problem with it until yesterday. I smoked a cigarette and took a sip of coffee and felt sick immediately and went and threw up and the thought of one doesn't sound good anymore. I tried a couple of puffs of my husband's but I think I lost the craving. It's been over 24 hours and I'm doing good. Maybe you make yourself sick while smoking a cigarette and that will take the desire away. Good luck!

Answer 3

You go girl.. From a pack or more a day to 3 a day...That's great at least your not smoking the weed or other hard drugs....I do advise though if you do stop smoking all the way don't start back up again after the baby is born..considering a gallon of gas is as much as a pack of smokes...

Answer 4

If you quit now, you will put your babies life at risk. The baby has gotten so used to the ciggies that you could harm them if you stopped now. My doctor also told me to cut down when I was pregnant with my son, I didn't cut down at all. I was still smoking around 15 a day. My son was born 7lb 7oz and is now a very healthy 4 year old. When I was pregnant with my daughter, I smoked more and she was born a healthy 7lb 7oz and is now a very healthy 15 month old. It is your choice to smoke but all it means is that the baby will have cravings for the first couple of days.

Answer 5

I have never been a smoker. I understand you know the risks. I also have known women in your position. It is a VERY hard habit to break!! I wanna wish you MUCH LUCK at quitting!! Quitting would be wonderful BUT before you beat yourself up...think about all of the druggies, hookers, and alcoholics that have babies (most are healthy), Of coarse I AM NOT PROMOTING any of those listed..I just don't want you to be too hard on yourself!!! Good Luck and have a happy pregnancy!!!

Answer 6

I'm glad you know the consequences for smoking, my advice is try to quit at once. S T O P and thats it I experienced it but i do not suffering any side effects if you follow others advice that try to puff at least 3 per day? I'll tell you by now YOU CANNOT QUIT SMOKING. CUT IT NOW WITH MORE WILL AND CONVICTIONS AND YOU WILL SUCCEED .

Answer 7

dont stress. i haven't quit entirely and i was due 2days ago. as long as you have cut back as your doc said everything will be fine. considering you went from around 25per day down to 3 no-one can give you crap. i never smoked that many and i still can't kick the habit. and your doc said not to go cold turkey cos you may have miscarried - that happened to my sister-in-law with her first pregnancy.
also if you wanna have a drink 1 glass of wine a day is ok but if you are like me and wasnt more than that one glass split the full glass into 2half glasses and top up with lemonade or juice. is naughty but still playing by the rules!!

Answer 8

Congratulations Nic on figuring out your having a boy. From what I recognise it is a critical situation for each child AND mom so do just what the DR tells you to. (no longer that you just wont besides). Try to not fear your self over the horror experiences that you are going to surely learn on the web. The final factor you wish to have correct now's to strain your self out approximately it or blame your self in any type of manner. Stay rested, do not do whatever strenuous and as difficult as that is going to,please attempt to keep calm and you probably have the slightest feeling that whatever isn't correct, regardless of how moderate, cross on your regional health center instantly. I wish the whole lot remains quality for you, I rather do. XXX

Answer 9

Hey, me too i'm a smoker and i'm 6 weeks pregnant since monday i did the test and i was excited about it and just after that i was thinking of smoking! Everytime i think of the baby = smoking stressing!!! And my throat is collapsing, i can't breath and i am just thinking wat will i do. It's really hard. It's getting me nervous. I know i have to stop smoking but the more i think about the baby the more i want to smoke.
And everyone keeps asking me ohhhh did u stop smoking, my hubby is very comprehensive he does not give me the look! i've been smoking since i'm 12.

Answer 10

i never heard of a doc telling a pg woman to ween themselves off of the smokes. but if you say. sweetie its six in one hand and a half of dozen in the other. your baby is going to stuffer a lot a upper respiratory problems including chronic ear infections which will effect their speeches. so theres alot that the smokes can do that you are going to have to deal with in the future and the child for the rest of there life. GodBless