smoking while pregnant

BabyEasttom · December 2014

This is the way I see it:

First of all, I've been a social smoker for years and my husband smokes about half a pack a day. We were not planning to try for conception for another two years, even though we knew we would be well into our 30s before our first baby arrived. We've both had reproductive issues and knew it would be an uphill battle for us. Six months ago, we got the surprise of our lives. Not only did we conceive, but our son was conceived while I was on the pill! It was a miracle to us! We decided then and there to put aside our original plan and go with the flow. Who knows what we would have to go through if we waited? We took it as a sign and I cleaned up my act. Entirely. Not one cigarette, not one sip of alcohol, nothing. I even scrutinize the labels on the food I buy for MSG and other possibly harmful stuff. My husband is trying desperately to quit smoking for our son, but he gets a pass since he's not actually carrying the baby. I did it for my son, because I want the best possible future for him, no matter what it costs me. I chose to put him first from the moment we discovered that he was there. I have no regrets. Sure, there have been times where I've been so stressed out that I felt the urge to smoke, but I don't. I go take a warm bath, or sit in a quiet room. I drink a glass of water and rub my belly and remind myself why I decided to make that sacrifice.

I know this is pretty long-winded, but my point is, there are people out there like me who are grateful every moment of their pregnancy that they are sacrificing their vices for the beautiful child they are carrying. There are also those who are struggling to conceive, or cannot entirely. They would go around the world and back to be able to make that kind of sacrifice for the opportunity to carry their child.

Please don't think that coming on here and looking for justification for your urges is going to get you any kind of sympathy. Especially not from those of us who have put it down for good. It's not easy for ANY of us who smoked, or had any type of addiction. Don't look for justification or excuses to do so here. I have a cousin who smoked throughout her entire pregnancy, claiming that her doctor said not to quit because it would shock her system and hurt the baby worse. It's ********, and she knew it. I don't believe for one second that any OB worth his license would tell her that. Her child was born at a healthy weight, but he has severe asthma that wasn't passed to him through his genetics Think before you act, and stop trying to look for justification from a group of women who don't know who you are. I'm guessing you didn't talk to any family members or close female friends about this, did you?

yvanehtnioj · December 2014

pghtruelove said:

So I quit smoking about 4 weeks ago(I was on a quitting plan from my DR which is why I was still smoking while pregnant for a bit) and I am having a very hard time coping. I think about smoking all the time, I don't because I think about the well being off my child as soon as I think about having one, but man I am just angry all the time. I feel bad for my poor boyfriend because I take it out on him so much. I do not know how to cope with stress and I'm dying here. Anyone have advice? Sorry I know this is off topic a bit but I figured instead of posting a new thread about basically the same thing was pointless.

When I first quit I spent a lot of time at this website: https://whyquit.com/
There are many, many articles there and it can keep you busy for quite awhile each day if you want. I was unemployed so it was even worse, I had all this time and no cigarettes. So every time I wanted to smoke I'd visit the site and read a few articles.

Also, the first year is very hard. Every time something happened that used to happen as a smoker, I would want one. For example: the first fall, the first holidays, the first time I drove my car on a certain street, the first time I would listen to a certain song, etc. You name it! Every time you do something as a non-smoker that you used to do or experience as a smoker, you will want a cigarette. Even the seasons changing will trigger it. Just know that it's normal first year shit and it DOES get better. You do not have to take these cravings seriously, because they will eventually stop and if you keep going they will be in your rearview! Good luck!

yvanehtnioj · December 2014

BabyEasttom said:

First of all, I've been a social smoker for years and my husband smokes about half a pack a day.

...

Please don't think that coming on here and looking for justification for your urges is going to get you any kind of sympathy. Especially not from those of us who have put it down for good. It's not easy for ANY of us who smoked, or had any type of addiction. Don't look for justification or excuses to do so here. I have a cousin who smoked throughout her entire pregnancy, claiming that her doctor said not to quit because it would shock her system and hurt the baby worse. It's ********, and she knew it. I don't believe for one second that any OB worth his license would tell her that. Her child was born at a healthy weight, but he has severe asthma that wasn't passed to him through his genetics Think before you act, and stop trying to look for justification from a group of women who don't know who you are. I'm guessing you didn't talk to any family members or close female friends about this, did you?

I don't know if this was aimed at the OP but I didn't feel she wanted justification for quitting, maybe just encouragement, which I am happy to give anyone who wants to quit, especially if pregnant.

The social smokers I've known weren't like us super addicted smokers. They left and came back to it as they pleased. I'm not trying to play the pain olympics, but it seems like that would make it easier to quit for good, if you weren't smoking all the time. So that being said-- your horse...it seems a little high. Even if you had been a daily smoker, it would still be kinda high.

chloemag123 · December 2014

I have adopted from foster care and also am currently pregnant. My adopted children's birth mother was a smoker. My advice to you is... think of your little one first. There is a lot smoking can affect a young unborn baby and even outside the womb after delivery. Chew a gum, try something else that won't harm him/her. It might be your body, but your baby has his own body which I am sure he/she doesn't want all those chemicals getting in the way of his/her good development.

I know it might be hard, but do it for your little one who you will meet pretty soon and if need be, you can go back to smoking then, of course... away from him/her.

MissRissx3 · December 2014

Dude I quit smoking cold turkey before I even thought about getting pregnant.. it's all in your head. And it's NOT THAT HARD. take it from me, gave up cigarettes and caffeine.

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