How many smokers?

pettybetty

mamasnowwhite said:

There has been one study done in Jamaica of 59 mothers. Half marijuana using vs half non using mothers. They followed up with the children periodically through 5 years of age. It was concluded that there was no difference between each group of children https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/m/pubmed/1957518/

I believe that is the only study that has ever been done, plus it was a (relatively) small control/experiment group, so take it with a grain of salt

You'd really trust the ONE study (which was probably a glorified survey)? People really can't quit smoking pot for 9 months? That's disgusting.

therealmrsevan

No MJ during pregnancy for me.

I was smoking a pack a day when I found out I was pregnancy one week ago. I have cut down to a few cigarettes a day. I will be finished smoking next week. My doctor instructed my sister when she was pregnant to cut out one cigarette per day every week. So if you are smoking 5/day, next week smoke 4/day, etc. I was actually surprised how unconcerned my doctor was about my sister smoking. I'm cutting back much quicker than that, but I plan to quit for life this time. I would rather quit successfully than be thinking about smoking for the next 8 months and go back to it as soon as the baby is born. My husband who has been smoking for over 25 years is also quitting, using my doctor's advice.

The reality is, we probably shouldn't be putting anything into our bodies that isn't going to grow a strong, healthy baby. But people smoke through their pregnancies (both MJ and cigarettes) all the time. It's not really worth getting up on your soapbox and lecturing. It isn't going to change what anyone else does. It's really just going to cause drama and hurt feelings.

WaffleyGoodness

@pettybetty You are aware caffeine can be extremely harmful to the baby as well so your advice to give up smoking for chocolate is not the best one. Maybe try researching a little more? 

ClvndSteamerGurl

WaffleyGoodness said:

@pettybetty You are aware caffeine can be extremely harmful to the baby as well so your advice to give up smoking for chocolate is not the best one. Maybe try researching a little more? 

Seriously? You're comparing eating chocolate with smoking? I get that you don't like pettybetty but it's jading your common sense.

pettybetty

WaffleyGoodness said:

@pettybetty You are aware caffeine can be extremely harmful to the baby as well so your advice to give up smoking for chocolate is not the best one. Maybe try researching a little more? 

Please tell me where you found chocolate is more harmful than smoke. Please 8->

WaffleyGoodness

pettybetty said:

@pettybetty You are aware caffeine can be extremely harmful to the baby as well so your advice to give up smoking for chocolate is not the best one. Maybe try researching a little more? 

Please tell me where you found chocolate is more harmful than smoke. Please 8->

Did I say that or did I say that caffeine is also harmful? I am sure smoking is worse or better than drinking, but you still shouldn't do either one. 

WaffleyGoodness

https://www.nhs.uk/chq/Pages/limit-caffeine-during-pregnancy.aspx?CategoryID=54&SubCategoryID=216

One bar of chocolate reaches your limit. So, you eat some chocolate every time you would be smoking you're still hurting your kid. 

pettybetty

WaffleyGoodness said:

https://www.nhs.uk/chq/Pages/limit-caffeine-during-pregnancy.aspx?CategoryID=54&SubCategoryID=216

One bar of chocolate reaches your limit. So, you eat some chocolate every time you would be smoking you're still hurting your kid. 

Not as much as a cigarette and I think you'd be hard pressed to find a doctor who disagreed with me.

LilLizzy1487

TO ALL WHO THINK THIS BEHAVIOR IS DISGUSTING

Sorry, but unfortunately addiction doesn't work around your pregnancy.  That's why addiction sucks so much.  I am a smoker of cigarettes (1 to 1 1/2 packs a day). I had been a long time smoker of marijuana for many, many years but I had quit before I conceived and not gone back to it since finding out I was pregnant.  I also believe that we should not be smoking anything during our pregnancies but please don't be too judgmental about quitting cigarettes.  It's not as easy as one might believe. 

I know, I know, even I thought once I got pregnant that I would just up and be all strong willed and stuff for my baby.  The thing is, for most smokers, cigarettes are a stress coping mechanism.  Stress is bad for baby too right?  So, it's really scary when you try to all of a sudden cut yourself off from smoking a pack a day to 0 cigarettes. 

Quitting cold turkey causes great stress to your mind and your body which can harm your baby just as much as smoking. Can it not? 

And Mood swings??  You ain't seen nothing until you've come across a cold-turkey quitting pregnant woman.  Holy hell... don't make eye contact and back away slowly.  And if you have food on you, watch your fingers.  Seriously.

So, then you're scared of your own mood swings. And for people like me (I'm in customer service for work) you're scared that you're gonna get fired from your job for flipping out on someone. Or even in your personal relationship.  God give my husband strength! 

Cutting down your smoking as much as you possibly can and hopefully quitting it completely within a few weeks seems much more sensible to me ... for everyone involved. 

Just my opinion.  But if you've never been a smoker,  please try to be somewhat understanding about the added extra crap that we are going through.  And understand that those of us who choose to do what we can to quit are trying to do the right thing for our babies.  I am also a child of a smoker.  My mother smoked all through her pregnancy.  I'm a little short and used to be a little under weight but other than that.... pretty much normal lol.  I just don't believe that any of the chemicals are beneficial to baby and therefore should really be avoided. 

LilLizzy1487

KleineKohl said:

Oh yeah because gaining 70 lbs or miscarrying because of the stress is better than a joint or a cigarette every now and then.

Stress does not cause miscarriage. This is a hurtful and wrong thing to say.

The hell stress doesn't. I feel way more cramps and pain in my stomach when I'm stressing out and it is scary.  Then I have to stop and breathe.  And it subsides. 

LilLizzy1487

pettybetty said:

Tobacco is addictive and therefore has health risks for quitting cold turkey. All the stigma about "never ever ever smoking while pregnant" hides the fact that there are people on here that are human and aren't perfect. Sharing experiences about things that are less than socially acceptable is important for growth. You are not contributing any information. You're being judge mental.

Listen I've been there and it sucks but it's for your baby so you just do it. And the risks of quitting cold turkey are old wives tales ask any doctor up to date current studies. There only one drug you can withdraw from that if done incorrectly can cause serious harm or death and that's alcohol.

That's so not true. I'm not a pharmacologist but I'm pretty sure any substance that triggers a dopamine release is chemically addictive. And I've had two friends who's doctors told them during pregnancy that stress from quitting is worse for your baby than a cigarette.

Yes alcohol is the only substance withdrawal can cause damage or kill you. Ask your OB. That's great for your friends but how up to date are these doctors? Not very. This is smoking myth debunked from the department of health and human services https://women.smokefree.gov/9-myths-about-smoking-pregnancy.aspx Your fetus can thank me later.Reg

Regardless of studies from the government (which has a track record of changing its answers to things every 1-5 years) I have a hard time believing that hard narcotics such as crack cocaine, heroin, prescription pain killers, methamphetamines, etc. do not cause sickness withdrawal symptoms enough to kill you.  A lot of them cause extreme nausea and vomiting along with excessive sweating and weight loss.  On top of the pregnancy dehydration and vomiting, I'm pretty sure that could kill you.  Many of them can also cause stomach and body cramps.... just doesn't seem safe to me. 

anorthro

I'm pretty sure that only alcohol and benzodiazepene withdrawal can be fatal.  As a teen, I had to be hospitalized for an addiction to benzodiazepenes, and they watched me very closely because the withdrawal can kill you. I've also been around enough alcoholics to know that alcohol withdrawal can be fatal.  I've never known anyone who died from withdrawal from any other drug, and I've been around a lot of drug addicts in recovery with crazy stories!  

So, I get the addiction thing.  It's a big part of my family and my story.  Thankfully, I quit everything (alcohol, cigarettes, other drugs) over 13 years ago, so I don't have to battle with it during pregnancy.  It must be very stressful.  My sympathy goes out to those who know they need to stop and are having a hard time.  I truly hope you can stop!  

KleineKohl

LilLizzy1487 said:

KleineKohl said:

moonseeds92 said:

Oh yeah because gaining 70 lbs or miscarrying because of the stress is better than a joint or a cigarette every now and then.

Stress does not cause miscarriage. This is a hurtful and wrong thing to say.

The hell stress doesn't. I feel way more cramps and pain in my stomach when I'm stressing out and it is scary.  Then I have to stop and breathe.  And it subsides. 


Wrong, wrong, wrong. And extremely hurtful to those of us who have experienced a loss. Dont talk about things you know nothing about.

bbg676

moonseeds92 said:

Look, unless you're a smoker, you don't know what it's like. If you were/are, then you're lying to yourself. Quitting cold turkey is difficult, not to mention can be dangerous. We come to this board for advice, not to be judged on our lifestyle choices. If we really didn't care about our children's health and safety, we wouldn't be talking about it and getting advice from other people. Offer helpful advice or keep your fingers off the keys.

moonseeds92 said:

Oh yeah because gaining 70 lbs or miscarrying because of the stress is better than a joint or a cigarette every now and then.

moonseeds92 said:

Tobacco is addictive and therefore has health risks for quitting cold turkey. All the stigma about "never ever ever smoking while pregnant" hides the fact that there are people on here that are human and aren't perfect. Sharing experiences about things that are less than socially acceptable is important for growth. You are not contributing any information. You're being judge mental.

As a former smoker who REALLY struggled with quitting cold turkey, I promise I am not going to judge.  But I AM going to drop a few truth bombs.  I apologize for the length, but these are important things to know, since it appears you don't really understand the deadly risks of smoking cigarettes during pregnancy.  **Due to a lack of studies on marijuana and pregnancy, I am not claiming any of this applies to marijuana, just Nicotine/cigarettes** 

1) The only 'drugs' that can be deadly if stopped cold turkey are benzodiazapenes and alcohol.  Other drugs, including nicotine, can have unpleasant side effects, such as a racing heart, sweating, and psychological distress (anxiety and depression), but it will not cause seizures (the main cause of death for alcohol and benzodiazapenes).  Personally, I got VERY depressed and near suicidal when I quit cold turkey, but after the third try I buckled down and pushed through it and the feelings/thoughts passed after two weeks.

2) YOU don't want to go through withdrawal, but realize if you continue to use ANY drugs, especially past 32 weeks, you force your fetus/baby to go through withdrawal, either in the womb or postpartum.  As much as it may suck for you now, realize that it is going to be 100 times worse for your baby.  

I am currently weaning down from daily pain meds that my doctor has prescribed me for over two years - I have pretty severe spinal issues and surgery is not an option, so we have gone the medication route, but now that I'm pregnant, I am weaning as quickly as safely possible.  My MFM prefers I stay on them through 32 weeks, but I would never want my baby to have to go through the withdrawal that they'll have to, without any support, if I continue to take them.  

3) You said you don't think there are any real risks to smoking during pregnancy, but there are actually some REALLY severe side effects, including:

• Placental Rupture - Nicotine effects the blood flow to/through the placenta and it can become detached when it does not get the oxygen it needs.  This can lead to spontaneous miscarriage at pretty much any point of the pregnancy and, depending on the severity of the rupture, can lead to the mother's death, due to rapid blood loss.
• Premature birth and low birth weight - Both are these are due to low oxygen levels to the fetus and can lead to fetal intrauterine death (stillborn) or miscarriage.
• Increased risk of SIDS - Study after study finds a connection and is most likely due to repeated exposure to Carbon Dioxide in utero while the circulatory system is being formed.
• Increased risk of cleft palate/cleft lip
• Studies also suggest a relationship between tobacco and miscarriage. Carbon monoxide in tobacco smoke can keep the developing baby from getting enough oxygen. Tobacco smoke also contains other chemicals that can harm unborn babies.1,2
• Significantly increased blood pressure and heart rate- Increased blood pressure is part of Preeclampsia, which is deadly for mother and child, as it shuts down your body and makes your body pump excess protein into your blood, so you should avoid smoking, because it alone causes deadly rises in BP and heart rate.  "During smoking there was a 10-15 mmHg increase in systemic blood pressure and a parallel elevation of heart rate (+ 20 beats/min)."

Quitting cold turkey DOES suck, but realize that every cigarette you smoke increases the amount of Carbon Dioxide in your blood.  This does significant damage to the growing fetus and can lead to miscarriages, stillbirth, and birth defects.  If you need help quitting, talk to your doctor - they have programs and options to help you quit smoking as soon as possible.

As for the '70 pound weight gain' - while smoking does slightly raise your metabolism, so does being pregnant.  The only people who gain significant weight after quitting are those that shoved food constantly into their mouth.  DH only gained 2 pounds and I actually lost 10, because I made a commitment to help and switched to more fruits/veggies to satiate my oral fixation.  Chewing on straws or sucking on sugar free hard candies are two options that shouldn't add major calories to your diet.  You are supposed to gain weight while pregnant, but if you chose healthy options and make sure you're being active, you should not 'gain 70 pounds'.

Even if you DID gain 70 pounds, it would still be safer than lighting up a cigarette, because you would not put all of that weight on right away (it would be gradual) and the risks will be closer to birth, such as a higher risk of needing a c-section or preeclampsia.  Gestational Diabetes is also possible, but it doesn't usually show up to closer to 32 weeks - by that point, if you are smoking, you have already caused fetal distress and possible birth defects.  If you are smoking and need a c-section, be aware that smoking leads to slower wound healing, a higher rate of wound infection, and scarring of the surgery site.  

mamasnowwhite

pettybetty said:

mamasnowwhite said:

There has been one study done in Jamaica of 59 mothers. Half marijuana using vs half non using mothers. They followed up with the children periodically through 5 years of age. It was concluded that there was no difference between each group of children https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/m/pubmed/1957518/

I believe that is the only study that has ever been done, plus it was a (relatively) small control/experiment group, so take it with a grain of salt

You'd really trust the ONE study (which was probably a glorified survey)? People really can't quit smoking pot for 9 months? That's disgusting.

Lmao no, I don't trust one study. Someone asked if any studies had ever been done and I said yes, there's been one. Dang, thought we were cool @pettybetty‌! Usually your stuff makes me laugh, but don't particularly appreciate being called disgusting. Especially since earlier in this thread I've said that I've quit for baby.

bbg676

@moonseeds92

One really eye opening study is here - they tested subject's hand temperature while they smoked a cigarette.  They discovered that "the smoking condition resulted in a sharp reduction in hand temperature during the smoking phase and a continued decline until minute 7 of the postsmoking phase."   The temperature drops low enough that it can lead to frostbite/numbness and you may have felt it before.

This happens because of the reduced oxygen/increased CO2 while you smoke, which causes the body to shut off blood flow to the extremities.  While this is seen outside the body, it is a great way to show what the body does to parts of the body when oxygen is robbed from it - if it is causing your hands to go numb and reduce their temperature, there is a good chance it is also doing it to your fetus.  Reduced oxygen saturation at the placenta is a major cause of placental abruption, which can lead to maternal and fetal death.  I already pointed out how increased blood pressure can cause brain swelling and death (similar to preeclampsia).  

Long story short, every cigarette you smoke robs your baby of vital oxygen it needs to continue to grow in the womb.  I know you don't want to harm your baby, but if you chose to continue to smoke, please be aware that you are contributing to possible birth defects, miscarriage, and fetal death.  Quitting sucks, but don't make your baby have to quit after they're born - it just is not fair for them to enter the world already addicted to a substance.  

If you need help quitting, again, please talk to your doctor.  They're there to help you reduce any side effects of quitting.  Lean on friends or your significant other for the emotional support to quit.  If you really want to be a lifelong smoker, you can always pick it back up after you give birth, but for your baby's sake, try to quit now.  You are their lungs and they deserve to be given adequate oxygen.

pinkiepie04

Prior to ttc, I was vaping 24mg nicotine. I cut it cold turkey. It can be done, you just have to have willpower. I read what NICOTINE (not only cigarettes, nicotine specifically) does during a pregnancy and that was enough to stop. 

Side note: I work around children and always feel so bad for the ones who constantly smell like ash trays. It isn't their fault at all, they are subjected to second hand smoke which is so detrimental to their health. I don't know how anyone can trap their child in an area (like a car) and puff away on cancer sticks. With all the education on tobacco there is no excuse aside from selfishness.

pettybetty

mamasnowwhite said:

pettybetty said:

mamasnowwhite said:

There has been one study done in Jamaica of 59 mothers. Half marijuana using vs half non using mothers. They followed up with the children periodically through 5 years of age. It was concluded that there was no difference between each group of children https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/m/pubmed/1957518/

I believe that is the only study that has ever been done, plus it was a (relatively) small control/experiment group, so take it with a grain of salt

You'd really trust the ONE study (which was probably a glorified survey)? People really can't quit smoking pot for 9 months? That's disgusting.

Lmao no, I don't trust one study. Someone asked if any studies had ever been done and I said yes, there's been one. Dang, thought we were cool @pettybetty‌! Usually your stuff makes me laugh, but don't particularly appreciate being called disgusting. Especially since earlier in this thread I've said that I've quit for baby.

I didn't call you disgusting. I said I think it's disgusting that someone couldn't quit weed for 9 months. The level of addiction for nicotine and marijuana are not the same. And that's a great step you took for your baby. @moonseeds92‌ doesn't seem like she's going to make any effort to quit for her baby and wants to excuse it instead.

pettybetty

pinkiepie04 said:

Prior to ttc, I was vaping 24mg nicotine. I cut it cold turkey. It can be done, you just have to have willpower. I read what NICOTINE (not only cigarettes, nicotine specifically) does during a pregnancy and that was enough to stop. 

Side note: I work around children and always feel so bad for the ones who constantly smell like ash trays. It isn't their fault at all, they are subjected to second hand smoke which is so detrimental to their health. I don't know how anyone can trap their child in an area (like a car) and puff away on cancer sticks. With all the education on tobacco there is no excuse aside from selfishness.

Atleast woman switching to vapor are cutting out thousands of nasty chemicals. No ideal but an improvement.

tuinstrab

I have never smoked a cigarette in my life. Never understood what made it appealing. I can say I feel like it might be smart to quit smoking before you get pregnant so its not so difficult.

I guess in my opinion I think its very selfish to smoke or do drugs while pregnant. Both of these can lead to multiple health issues, pre term labor , low birth weight. I am a special education teacher and have had several students be affected by the poor choices their mom made while pregnant.

If you cant make it through your day without a cigarette or doing drugs you have no business getting pregnant.

pinkiepie04

tuinstrab said:

I have never smoked a cigarette in my life. Never understood what made it appealing. I can say I feel like it might be smart to quit smoking before you get pregnant so its not so difficult.

I guess in my opinion I think its very selfish to smoke or do drugs while pregnant. Both of these can lead to multiple health issues, pre term labor , low birth weight. I am a special education teacher and have had several students be affected by the poor choices their mom made while pregnant.

If you cant make it through your day without a cigarette or doing drugs you have no business getting pregnant.

Agreed.

LilLizzy1487

MrsTinMKE said:

moonseeds92 said:

Look, unless you're a smoker, you don't know what it's like. If you were/are, then you're lying to yourself. Quitting cold turkey is difficult, not to mention can be dangerous. We come to this board for advice, not to be judged on our lifestyle choices. If we really didn't care about our children's health and safety, we wouldn't be talking about it and getting advice from other people. Offer helpful advice or keep your fingers off the keys.

What do you expect when you make STUPID Choices that could harm you child!! I smoke while pregnant but be nice to me...waaa

Not everyone is actively trying to conceive when they get pregnant... So therefore, our stupid choices are only affecting us... thought all the adults on this board would have enough SMARTS to know that....

LilLizzy1487

KleineKohl said:

KleineKohl said:

Oh yeah because gaining 70 lbs or miscarrying because of the stress is better than a joint or a cigarette every now and then.

Stress does not cause miscarriage. This is a hurtful and wrong thing to say.

The hell stress doesn't. I feel way more cramps and pain in my stomach when I'm stressing out and it is scary.  Then I have to stop and breathe.  And it subsides. 

Wrong, wrong, wrong. And extremely hurtful to those of us who have experienced a loss. Dont talk about things you know nothing about.

YOU DN'T KNOW A DAMN THING ABOUT ME.  I DO KNOW ABOUT LOSS. Don't talk to me like you know me.  It was not meant to be hurtful.  IN MY HUMBLE OPINION, I believe that it can.  That's all.  I am not a medical professional.  But to the best of my knowledge none of us on here are.  I didn't think I needed a disclaimer. 

And if it is impossible for stress to cause a miscarriage, then how come over doing it while working/cleaning/exercising, etc. can cause spotting?  Is that not stress on the body?  Why can't emotional stress be the same way.  I'm a survivor of a stressful pregnancy as well.  My mother was in an abusive relationship the whole time she was pregnant with me. But I still believe that it can cause problems.  Just like it can do harmful things to you when you're not pregnant.

LilLizzy1487

 

2) YOU don't want to go through withdrawal, but realize if you continue to use ANY drugs, especially past 32 weeks, you force your fetus/baby to go through withdrawal, either in the womb or postpartum.  As much as it may suck for you now, realize that it is going to be 100 times worse for your baby. 

Absolutely no argument about this one.  You are very right.  And it something to think about.

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KleineKohl

LilLizzy1487 said:

KleineKohl said:

LilLizzy1487 said:

KleineKohl said:

moonseeds92 said:

Oh yeah because gaining 70 lbs or miscarrying because of the stress is better than a joint or a cigarette every now and then.

Stress does not cause miscarriage. This is a hurtful and wrong thing to say.

The hell stress doesn't. I feel way more cramps and pain in my stomach when I'm stressing out and it is scary.  Then I have to stop and breathe.  And it subsides. 

Wrong, wrong, wrong. And extremely hurtful to those of us who have experienced a loss. Dont talk about things you know nothing about.

YOU DN'T KNOW A DAMN THING ABOUT ME.  I DO KNOW ABOUT LOSS. Don't talk to me like you know me.  It was not meant to be hurtful.  IN MY HUMBLE OPINION, I believe that it can.  That's all.  I am not a medical professional.  But to the best of my knowledge none of us on here are.  I didn't think I needed a disclaimer. 

And if it is impossible for stress to cause a miscarriage, then how come over doing it while working/cleaning/exercising, etc. can cause spotting?  Is that not stress on the body?  Why can't emotional stress be the same way.  I'm a survivor of a stressful pregnancy as well.  My mother was in an abusive relationship the whole time she was pregnant with me. But I still believe that it can cause problems.  Just like it can do harmful things to you when you're not pregnant.

I'm sorry for your loss. Just because you feel stress can cause miscarriage, doesn't make it so . Let's not play pain olympics here. And just because something isnt meant to be hurtful, doesn't mean it isnt. I don't know why your yelling at me when you said the hurtful, and wrong might i add, thing.

Eta: unless you can show some peer reviewed studies rather than personal anectdotes, its better to not make statements like that. Just like we dont know your story, you dont know ours.

carm78tang

"The Easy Way to Stop Smoking," by Allen Carr...If you're still smoking and don't think you'll be able to quit, please read this book immediately. It's worked for almost everyone I've recommended it to, casual to heavy smokers.

gabbigeo

Has anyone here switched from tobacco to e cigarettes? They have much less additives than tobacco and although the nicotine in them is still a pregnancy no - no they made quitting much easier for me. Which on top of pregnancy hormones and mood swings was an amazing feat. My husband is still alive!

Tourmaline15

I'm happy to report that I've gone 3 days without toking!

mamasnowwhite

Tourmaline15 said:

I'm happy to report that I've gone 3 days without toking!

You go girl!

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