So I know its bad to smoke while your pregnant and that's why I quit when I found out. But now im 16 weeks and for a month or so ive been craving a cigarette. I do feel that if I were to have a few drags that its wrong and I shouldn't be doing it but its so tempting. Has anyone stopped smoking and picked it back up while you were still pregnant? I don't know if just a few drags will affect the baby but its just like I just want one or so and ill be set.
Re: smoking while pregnant
Amanda (24) DH (27)
TTC#1: 2/2009 with PCOS - BFP 2/2013
EDD 10.19.13 ~ DD born 10.9.13
Surprise! Baby S due 4.14.15
Chewing gum or a walk around the block. It's not just about what it might do to baby, but that the guilt factor can really be a trip.
Chocolate or cheese can help you stimulate reward centers of the brain. It's not worth it to even tempt yourself while pregnant.
LFAF Summer 2016 Awards:
Something that really helped me when I was pregnant with DD was every time I wanted (insert vice) I would read a children's picture book aloud to my bump. If I still wanted (vice) after that, I told myself that I could have one. Depending on how strong your addiction is, this activity might help you refocus on your baby; or at the very least shame you enough to make smoking un-enjoyable/not worth it. It's not something I'd recommend, however, if you're addicted enough to either skip the story or have one anyway (only you know your level. Good luck!
"Smoking while pregnant will:
The more cigarettes you smoke per day, the greater your baby's chances of developing these and other health problems. There is no "safe" level of smoking while pregnant."
Yes, agree. I know addiction is a beast, but please work on quitting. Reduction is still an accomplishment, but quitting should be the goal.
LFAF Summer 2016 Awards:
Your advice is about as off base as your reasoning for it being "ok" for you to smoke while pregnant. Get your head out of your ass and stop giving such horrible advice.
Yeah some people keep smoking when they are pregnant and I do know that doctors say if you are stressing about smoking then it is worse for you because that's not good for the baby. It deff is a hard struggle. I mean I quit cold turkey so easily and than a few months later its like the cravings came back. And yes your baby comes first but sometimes some people cant help it and some kids are born healthy and others aren't. I guess its just different with everyone. But the best thing is to talk to the doctor about it.
Don't give in. Quit and stay quit. Look up third hand smoke and see what smoking around an infant will do to it - it's not just pregnancy you need to think about, but your child's long term health.
Things that helped me quit successfully were changing my habits. I would always smoke while driving or while on the phone. So now I only talk on the phone while driving (using a headset) to distract me from those urges. I also stopped spending time around other smokers, the temptation was too much. And I stopped drinking for awhile, because I really craved cigarettes when I was drinking.
Find what works for you and stay strong. Do some serious research on smoking while pregnant and smoking around an infant. There's some pretty sobering info out there.
LFAF Summer 2016 Awards:
ETA: Just read what you said about not the stress of not smoking being worse than just smoking. So not true, please do not fall for that. I have used that very logic on myself in some of my numerous attempts to quit smoking, it was always just a reason to start up again. (I finally quit for good in 2010.)
Signed, another former smoker.
I think the worst part about smoking while pregnant is that people say its too "hard" on them/the baby to quit. Ok, pump your baby full of nicotine, carbon monocide and tar for 9 months and then make them quit cold turkey as a newborn because you aren't strong enough to quit.
Sorry this logic pisses me off.
Signed,
Former two pack a day smoker who quit cold turkey and survived to talk about it.
(Also read the book by Alan Carr-The easy way to quit smoking--this is one of the reasons I will never smoke again, it isn't gross it just explains so much about addiction and I found it helpful)
Now that I'm in my second trimester and the morning sickness isn't as bad I've had more cravings to smoke. And I really do miss it sometimes. It's a big part of some of my issues and something that I shared with my boyfriend.
It's hard because people still smoke around mewhich is also bad for my babies. People still smoke in my house and my boyfriend's brother bitched until we let him smoke in the car with me in it.
It's hard when the people around you don't support your quitting, but I keep trying to tell myself that it's worth it. I think about how I'd feel if one of my babies died of SIDs, I'd always wonder if it was my fault.
I'm proud of you for quitting. If you're really struggling with it I'd look for support. My boyfriend is a big part of why I don't smoke when I want to.
A couple of drags would be hard to control. Don't let yourself go there.
Keep busy.
Read alan carrs easy way to quit smoking. Its helps you realize that having a smoke with actually make you MORE stressed out then not having one, and you don't have to think about smoking all the time once you "train" your brain to think different. *I know this book doesn't work for everyone but honestly, was worth the $4 I spent on it.
Exercise. I found that when I quit smoking that walking after eating really helped.
Remember. This is just a small small small part in a life time of being a non smoker. Wont it be so nice to not be a slave to smoking? Not have to think about it and plan when you get your next smoke? this too shall pass, and just remember to take it one day at a time.
Find something to occupy your mouth. Gum, tic-tacs, licorice, peppermints.... Pick something you like and stick it in your mouth every time you have a craving. Don't spend any time around other smokers to help cut out the social aspect.
Edited: also just keep in mind all the money you save when you quit! That was a BIG feature for me! Lol!