Tobacco:Smoking Cessation

Because smoking poses serious health risks to both mother and baby, there is no better time than now to try to quit smoking. Whether you are already pregnant or trying to conceive, smoking puts you and your baby at an increased risk for several complications and diseases. Not only will quitting make you feel better, it will also provide a multitude of benefits for your unborn child. Your baby will no longer be getting dangerous toxins in their system and the oxygen they breathe will be richer and cleaner. The risks that are associated with smoking during pregnancy (low birth weight, stillbirth, miscarriage) will be decreased significantly.

No doubt about it, it will be a challenge to quit smoking. However, with support and determination, you can do it! The best thing to do before you begin is to lay out a plan. Here are some things to consider when planning to stop smoking:

• When would you like to quit?
• Why do you want to quit smoking?
• How do you plan on quitting?
• Have you taked to your doctor and asked for resources?
• Who can you contact for support when the going is rough?
• What can you replace cigarettes with? A new hobby?
• When is the urge to smoke the strongest?
• What can you do during this time of day?

Important Tips During This Time

• Refer to your plan. Try to quit on the day that you designated.
• When you feel like smoking, call a friend or family member that can help take your mind off of your temptation.
• Replace your old habit with a healthier hobby.
• Do not visit friends, family members or places of interst that you know will encourage you to smoke until you have quit.
• Remind yourself of the benefits you are providing for yourself and your baby often!
• Do not fall for the "just one won't hurt" temptation because it will.
• Ask your doctor for references or literature to help with your decision.
• Join a support group for other individuals that are tyring to quit.

Comments: Tobacco - Smoking-Cessation

Comments 1 to 24 of about 49.
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Facts - 338 days ago.
I am currently a student researching if there is enough awareness of the effects of smoking to the unborn child during pregnancy, I would appreciate your feedback! Q1) Have you seen any information regarding harmful effects during smoking to the unborn child through media advertising? (Television, Radio, magazines) Q2) Did you receive any information/support regarding the risks from your healthcare professional? Q2) Do you feel further information is needed for you to understand scientifically the possible health effects smoking can cause? Thankyou for you time.

christy114 - 465 days ago.
I too have been struggling to quit smoking, even before I found out that I am pregnant. It is starting to make me feel sick, so I pray it will make it easier to finally quit!

amanda61812 - 543 days ago.
I am trying to quit smoking! it is so hard! i have been smoking for about 8 years already, so it has not been easy. My first child was not affected by me smoking, but how do I know that will happen the same way this time. I don't know that and I can't help but to worry. I feel so guilty when I smoke! I just wish there was an easy way to quit, without all the stress of doing it cold turkey. Any suggestions?

emibaby - 967 days ago.
I quit smoking three months ago when I was about 6 weeks pregnant. It was actually not that hard because of the intense morning sickness I experienced, the smell and taste of them made me ill (and still do!) I smoked for 10 years and was never able to quit for longer than a day. I have no doubt in my mind that if I had'nt been so sick I would have never been able to quit. I know that it will be a struggle to stay quit after this baby is born, especially because everyone I know including my boyfriend smokes. I'm trying to remain positive that I will be able to stay quit, it's not the first time in my life that I've had to give something up for good. Good luck to all of you out there trying to quit or stay quit! It is a challenge, but we can do it!

Dani-Girl - 967 days ago.
I maybe pregnant (a week late but no test yet) I have three miscarriages and smoke at the beginning but quit and still lost the babies, I am struggling to quit and have quit for now at least until a negative test shows up. I have had such a hard time quitting and know i have too but we are tight on money this week (unexpected car problems) and cant afford my usual candy and things is there any tips anyone has to quit? the hardest part is that my husband smokes and he tries to be supportive but we live on the third floor and its hard for him to walk all the way down stairs to smoke every time...

ericakay26 - 1026 days ago.
I know how that feels with the hubby smoking and blowing smoke in your face, doesnt really help. I'm 20 weeks and I still struggle. when i got pregnant I said i Would Not ! easier said than done. I hate cigarettes!!! I wish they wernt so addicting! If I dont smoke when I want too I eat and eat and get really full then i really want to smoke. Help!

mommadean - 1082 days ago.
YOU CAN DO IT! :) Chocolate helps I think. And something bite size that you can pop into your mouth over and over. (M&M's my fave) I think the chocolate helps for the nicotine and the action of putting the candy helps with the hand to mouth habit. I have smoked for almost 10 years, but quit with my first pregnancy, and this one. I had a MC at the begining of the year and was dragging my feet quitting. I felt extremely selfish when I lost that baby. I'm sure that wasn't the reason for it,but I couldn't help but think about it. Just know that you are going to have to make sooo many sacrafices for your baby that this is a really small one in the scheme of things. Try not to be around anyone else who smokes. My husband smokes and he knows I will bite his head off if he lites up around me, (because I want one). So just make the decision and stick to it. And really ciggarettes don't help you not feel stressed, they add to it. I always think it's just the break for yourslf that relaxes you a little. So many people quit all the time, you can do it too if you really want to. :)

lindsay1984 - 1130 days ago.
I quit by reading a book called Allen Carr's easy way to quit smoking. I went cold turkey the day I found out I was pregnant! After 12 years of smoking. The book really helped! Good luck!

lora030185 - 1183 days ago.
i stopped as soon as i found out i was pregnant, which was 4 weeks, well 2weeks gestation age, i didnt want to risk a premature baby or any other risks, low birth weight, cleft palate, its playing with fire, i know lots of women do it and baby looks fine but why risk it, i just pictured blowing smoke on a newborn babies face - you just wouldnt do it, that helped me stop, i just told myself i have no choice, id rather i went through the short withdrawel symtoms rather than baby going through that when its born, poor thing would probably be up screaming all the time as the craving for nicotine slowly disappears, also the risk of cot death, no i know what smoking does to my lungs and wouldnt dare put that near my tiny unborn miracle, i dont feel sorry for those who dont stop, i pity them and feel sorry for their babies, i can say this as i smoked for 10 years and tried and tried to stop with failure at each end, so if i can do it - anyone, ANYONE can do it!!!

flizzy - 1184 days ago.
This is my second pregnancy - week 9. Again I am struggling every day with ciggs. I am down to about 4 a day and I keep thinking if I can get down to that why can;t I just stop! During my 1st pregnancy I worried every day about the health and well being of my child and again I am torturing myself. I just want to stop!!! I have enough to worry about and still knowing that it's not enough to just bit the bullet. I NEED HELP!

toveandbrody - 1274 days ago.
Smoking can cause ADHD, this article just out 11/25/2009, just thought I'd share:) By Stephanie Booth Children exposed to lead or whose mothers smoked during pregnancy are more than twice as likely to be diagnosed with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), new research shows. The study, published in the December issue of Pediatrics, the journal of the American Academy of Pediatrics, found that children exposed prenatally to tobacco smoke had a 2.4-fold increased likelihood of ADHD diagnosis. Those whose blood showed what researchers categorized as high lead levels were 2.3 times more likely to have ADHD. Exposure to both lead and prenatal tobacco triggered what head researcher Tanya Froehlich, M.D., a developmental and behavioral pediatric specialist and assistant professor of pediatrics at Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, called an alarming 'synergistic effect.' Children in this category had eight times the risk of being diagnosed with ADHD. Froehlich and other researchers analyzed data on 2,588 children between the ages of eight and 15 who participated in the 2001 to 2004 National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey. Nearly nine percent of the children met the criteria for a diagnosis of ADHD, including inattentiveness, difficulty focusing, impulsivity and hyperactivity. Of those children, 16.8 percent had mothers who said they had smoked during pregnancy. More than five percent of children categorized as having 'low' lead blood levels had ADHD and nearly 14 percent had what researchers considered 'high' levels. 'These findings are not surprising, but do provide confirmation of what we already know: Lead levels in utero are a potential threat to normal brain development and tobacco can be toxic to embryos and fetuses,' says Anthony L. Rostain, M.D., director of the Adult ADHD Treatment and Research Program in the department of psychiatry at the University of Pennsylvania Health System in Philadelphia. 'The takeaway message here is that mothers certainly should not smoke and risks for lead exposure in the U.S. are still important to investigate.' The study estimates that up to 35 percent of ADHD cases in children between the ages of eight and 15 could be reduced by eliminating exposure to these environmental toxins. That could translate into 800,000 children. see the rest of the article at :http://www.aolhealth.com/condition-center/adhd/smoking-lead-paint?icid=main|htmlws-main-n|dl2|link5|http%3A%2F%2Fwww.aolhealth.com%2Fcondition-center%2Fadhd%2Fsmoking-lead-paint

sondramarie - 1299 days ago.
I quit with both my pregancys and with in a week was back smoking after I had them! I love to smoke idk why but I do. It calms my nerves. Lol (bri) my mom smoked while preg with me! Maybe that's why I'm so nuts hahahha ill def. Blame that on her now hahaha that's funny.

Bri - 1299 days ago.
The problem is that it isn't just when the baby comes out. A new study shows that babies of smoking moms are 20 times more likely to have a psychotic episode later in childhood and into adulthood. Is it a cause? We can't say but we do know that smoking restricts oxygen to the brain. That can't be good for any child or even adult. I know most of our parents smoked at some point when we were in the womb but you have to think, is this why there are sooo many adults with issues of one kind or another. Depression and anxiety are huge! I suffer from anxiety and my mom did smoke. I also had asthma which wasn't fun as a child. It didn't actually develop until I was around 8 or so. I understand it is hard to quit but whenever a craving comes just try to stay busy. Don't keep them in house and do somthing else. Good Luck ladies!

lindsay82 - 1315 days ago.
I quit smoking using the patch and I feel so free! I smoked for years and wanted to quit so bad. When i did manage to quit I got incredibly constipated but with alot of water and I mean alot and avoiding unhealthy food my body is finally going back to normal. The patch from what I have read is considered safer than smoking and a recent study at the University of Calgary found there were no added risks from using the patch in pregnancy. I couldn't have quit without the patch, every time I tried without it I ended up a crying angry mess. It hasn't been easy with my stomach troubles but with the patch at least I had no cravings while I quit and now I have been free of smoking for 2 months. I never thought I could do this! Anyone else who is struggling maybe ask your doctor about the patch, if I hadn't I would be smoking right now:) If I can do it anyone can, stay strong!

babynumber3forme - 1339 days ago.
and ill also add my first child was 7 pound 9 oz i quit at 20 weeks and the second baby was 6 pound didnt quit big difference i also went over due with the second baby but im so glad they are both healthy little girls.still very guilty.

babynumber3forme - 1339 days ago.
ok im going to add this comment because im finding it really hard ive been a smoker since i was 13 years old im now 24 this is my 3rd pregnancy with my first i gave up when i was 20 weeks due to having a really bad flu and couldnt get up to smoke it was easy but when she was 4 months old i started the habbit again 5 months on i fell pregnant again with number 2 but didnt find out till i was almost 14 weeks no matter what i did to stop i just couldnt i went through so much stress at the fact that i was smoking i tried the quitlines and all advice even looking at what it does but no matter what the habbit wouldnt kick over and the more people told me its bad and not to do it i wanted to do it more selfish i know but if you understand that some womens lives are more hard and complicated then others maybe not many people would judge this pregnancy i have spoken to my doctor and midwives a few times about the fact im still smoking but really really want to quit for my unborn childs sake and i cry every night over the fact i cant stop no matter how hard ive tried a few times only last a day or so then the stress kicks in and some times its really bad i get bad thoughts running threw my head and i go ape wire at hubby and its not his fault my doctor and midwives both said to me because its causeing so much stress that im smoking and finding hard to quit just to continue to do it but only smoke half and go back for the other when the cravings start again and only to smoke outside and drink plenty of water and even go for long walks yes im glad they told me i could continue to smoke but im still not happy at myself for doing so because the doctor said so much stress can cause early complications even premature labour or harm the baby more then what smoking would do so im on the trak of slowly giving the habbit up and im sorry for the long blog but i need to say something and im so so so sorry for smoking while pregnant i know its a bad thing im doing but at least im trying .

Bri - 1350 days ago.
one step at a time - Good Luck!!! I know you can do it!!! Stay postive and you'll get past those cravings. Congrats on wanting to make the best life for your baby. YAY!

one step at a time - 1350 days ago.
Ok after tonight its been 2 days and im not going to lie i wanna smoke!! I have a 6 year old that has breathing problems and I smoked 3 cigs a day with him and I really don't wanna have to go thru everything I do with my son. I went to the doc's 2 days ago and he said even tho im high risk I could quit cold turkey, its the only way I can do it, I cant cut down dosent work for me. my big triggers are in the car and on the phone so im not going anywhere by myself and avoiding the phone as much as possible for a few days so far its working a few more days and ill have it all out of my body. if anyone wants to talk please feel free to write. maybe we can help each other

dreamingofpink - 1357 days ago.
Its so great to have found this form i was so ashamed everyone one here seems like the perfect pregger im so glad im not along

grumpyangel515 - 1357 days ago.
For those who have quit, anyone notice they can smell alot better? (not that its always a good thing) I have quit once for about a week when my husband was really sick, he would throw up anytime he smelt it, but when he got better he started smoking again,and well so did i=( I smoked through 3 pregnancies, i did cut back as much as i could, . . . . . ... . . . . . . . . .. . . but here is something that might help some of you, after my baby was born my dr. showed me my placenta and you lining the baby was in, it was still in pretty good shape, . . .besides the grey marks all around it from smoking, talk about making me feel bad. (All 3 babies are very healthy and have been since they were born)

DJs Girl - 1392 days ago.
I'm in the same boat as you but I smoke about 15 smokes a day. I use to smoke a pack but I cut down a bit. I really can't quit. I go nuts without a smoke. I don't know what to do either. :o( I feel sooo bad for smoking but how can I stop when I am soooo addicted. :o(

lola21 - 1393 days ago.
Hello everybody! When I found out that I was pregnant I wanted to quit soo bad. But its really hard I'm 31 weeks preg and I still smoke but not as often maybe bout the most 3 smokes a day but still. I'm worried bout the babiies health but everything seems ok. I just feel so guilty when I do smoke. I don't know what to do but just to not let it stress me out is all I can do. If anybody has an opionon can u let me know plz...

DJs Girl - 1414 days ago.
I'm hearing sooo many different things. One site says that it's perfectly safe to just quit cold turkey and another site says that it's too much of a shock to the body and you could stress out your body enough to have a miscarriage. I'm 6 weeks pregnant today and I can't seem to quit. Even though I know it's not good for the baby inside of me, the cravings just get too bad. What do I do? I really wanna quit but how?

MummyYumYum - 1468 days ago.
Smoking is the hardest thing to give up and I totally understand. I started smoking when I was 17 then a short time after my Mum was diagnosed with terminal Cancer, even then I didnt quit smoking. Months later when she died I felt I needed to smoke more than ever to cope with the loss, and I wont lie it did help. I know in my mind and in my heart that ending up dying very young just like my Mum did (she was 37) puts the fear of god into me, but it still wasnt enough to make me give up, something that made me feel incredibly stupid and ignorant. I did give up at age 18 and managed a solid 3 years no smoking and a further year with just social smoking. I split with my partner and that put me back on full time smoking and it wasnt until years later and I got pregnant with my daughter that I gave up again. I found giving up while pregnant very easy to do as soon as I knew I never picked up another cig. I did so well I was really proud of myself but after she was born I did the worst thing and started again. A cig was an excuse to go sit in the garden while she slept and relieve the stress and have a bit of me time. In the last 4 years I have tried stopping many times without success. I am now pregnant again and just as last time I gave up straight away, this time I dont think I will make the mistake of going back to it again. I cant go back I dont want to leave my children behind because I smoked, my Mum will never bounce her grandchildren on her knee she will never see me walk down the isle on my wedding day, she wasnt there the first time I had a broken heart and missed so many things. I love smoking I do, giving up is not a choice its something I have to do permantly if I want to make sure I am around for my children and not miss all the things my Mum missed with me. I havent posted this to make anyone feel guilty, its just my journey with smoking and I totally understand how hard it is to give up, and I wish I didnt have to give up at all, but until they make a cig that is healthy or not harmful to smoke I am going to stay smoke free. Good luck to all of you.

MinnesotaMoms - 1469 days ago.
Quitting smoking is not a pretty thing, but it can be done if you really want to stop. I stopped cold-turkey New Year's Eve several years back and have never regretted it. It seemed to me the biggest hurdles were those 2 to 3 days it took for my body to recover, and then breaking the cycle of the habit. I used to wake up with a cig, surf the net with a cig, smoke a cig before and after eating, use a cig to pamper myself when i was upset, go to the toilet, light up a cig.....Somehow I had to consciously train my brain to function again without the need for a cig. I'm not going to berate anybody for smoking because I think you all know how bad it is for you and your baby. Besides, beration begates rebellion and will just make you smoke more! The key to stopping is just that. Stopping. You can make it a game for yourself. If you get the urge, draw a picture or chew some gum or just say a curse word out loud. Stay away from smokey environments. Bottom line...YOU HAVE TO WANT IT. There's no such thing as not being able to stop. Once you change this thought: 'I CAN'T stop' to 'I DON'T WANT TO stop', then you start to understand how much control you really have over the situation. And you can STOP feeling guilty and do what you need to do. If you don't believe me, try it out for 14 days straight. Our society is designed to plague on your fears and make you feel you can't accomplish anything unless you PAY THROUGH THE NOSE (can't lose weight, buy a pill! Can't gain weight, by a pill! Can't grow hair, buy a this pill! Can't stop smoking, hey I've got just the program for you for $$$!) Anyway, good luck to all of you, and to your babies. Oh, and just for the record, I craved cigarettes for about a year afterwards, but I never ever went back, not even for one. Because I didn't WANT to. Now if I could just do something about this sugar addiction....lol...

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