smoking while pregnant

khmommy · July 2015

OK I'm a FTM and yes I was a smoker before my pregnancy but when I found out I was with a child I quit cold turkey but when I went to my doc. She said not to because I had been smoking since I was 18 I'm now 22 just wanted to know if yall were told the same i do still smoke but it'snot much at all and my baby is healthy his estimated weight is 8lbs

sokomo · July 2015

Your doctor told you not to quit cold turkey because you had been smoking for four years? That doesn't make sense to me. I started smoking when I was 14 and quit cold turkey when I was 22.. I never had any issues. I think quitting cold turkey is the best way to quit, honestly. Cigarettes aren't like anti-depressants or other medications that you have to ween yourself off of. Sounds like your doctor gave you bad advice.

Anyway, I'm glad that your baby is apparently healthy. That said, I think the best thing you could possibly do for your health and your baby's health is to stop smoking right away. Oh, and maybe find a new doctor.

soccerslayer7 · July 2015

I smoked for over ten years the day I found out I was pregnant I stopped cold turkey. I had no problem or side affects of doing so. I can't believe a doctor told you not to quit....that is insane to me. I agree find a new doctor.

SantistevanMommie · July 2015

My cousin went through this same thing. Only as a result her baby was born with Down syndrome. I think you were right to stop when you did and although your dr told you not to you should.

KendrakayeT · July 2015

Although smoking during pregnancy probably isn't the best idea, I think I heard somewhere (and I don't remember where), that quitting smoking while you're pregnant causes more stress on your body (and probably baby's) than continuing to smoke. If it were me, I'd ask your doc why she doesn't want you quitting cold turkey, and if you aren't satisfied with her reasoning, I'd get a second opinion.

KaramelKay · July 2015

I suggest getting a second opinion from a different doctor. I'd also like to mention that just because your baby has an expected healthy birth weight, that doesn't necessarily mean all is well. If possible, try your best to quit from this point on. Obviously you somewhat second guessed what the doctor told you since you asked us. Follow your gut! You know deep down what's best.

aleecats · July 2015

You might wanna find a new doctor, I've been smoking for 6 years and my doctor urged me to quit (I did the day I got my BFP). Yes it causes more stress on the body but that stress does much less damage than continuing to smoke would on baby, and I'm dumbfounded your doctor would urge you to continue smoking after you'd already begun to quit!

holli0801 · July 2015

That seems ridiculous. Not that you can't have a healthy baby--many generations of babies were born prior to knowing the health risks. But if see what happens to a baby in utero while you smoke (there are videos online) you would likely never smoke again.

jbrown6714 · July 2015

Just to comment on a previous post. Smoking while pregnant does not cause Down Syndrome. Down syndrome is a genetic disorder. Nothing you do or don't do causes it. I am not a smoker, nor would I encourage smoking but just to clarify it does not cause Down Syndrome.

MarlouiseH · July 2015

I smoked since is was 16 and im now 25. The day it was confirmed that i am pregnant i stopped right there and then. My seeing is that if my baby is born and there is something wrong with her then i can say that I did everything to make sure she is healthy. I would not be able to live with myself if there is something wrong with her and it was because of something i did. I have had friends that smoke the whole of their pregnancies and both her children were born under weight (900 grams & 1.2kg) because of the smoking. its better to stop completely. My little girl is due in August and she is 100% healthy.

amberrmariee20 · July 2015

I smoked for 9 years and when I got pregnant with both my sons I quit, and my doctor was behind me every step ! I don't understand why she told you to keep smoking ?! My first son was 9.7 lbs and I'm pregnant with my 2nd son now. My first son was born with a cyst on his vocal cords. The first thing the doctors asked me was "did you smoke" and I proudly said NO !!

stephybee23 · July 2015

I smoked for 14 years, found out I was pregnant at 2 weeks then quit cold turkey. I have had the best pregnancy - aside from the nausea and what not but I am so glad I did. I have heard of doctors saying that to friends of mine as well but that was because they didn't know they were pregnant until 12 weeks plus. They say it's because the baby can already be addicted to nicotine but really, end of the day best thing you can do for your baby and yourself is quit. After all , once your baby arrives, do you really want to smoke a cigarette then kiss your previous newborn ? Doubtful .

PrimRoseMama · July 2015

SantistevanMommie said:
My cousin went through this same thing. Only as a result her baby was born with Down syndrome. I think you were right to stop when you did and although your dr told you not to you should.

No. DS is not a result of smoking.

TabulaRasa25 · July 2015

Just chiming in, but smoking has absolutely nothing whatsoever to do with Down syndrome. It can contribute to low birth weight and a variety of other medical issues, but it does not contribute to trisomies or other chromosomal abnormalities. Just had to put that out there.

Most doctors will absolutely encourage you to quit if you smoke, yes. But I have definitely heard of doctors who prescribe that heavy smokers cut back if quitting will be an enormous stress on them, versus quitting. I don't think it's a top recommendation, but I have heard this advised before.

I've never smoked, so I can't comment on the stress of quitting when you are a heavy smoker, but I know that high levels of maternal stress are not good. As to whether it's as dangerous as fetal exposure to smoking, I have no idea, but I do know that doctors aren't all of the same opinion on the issue.

rue:D · July 2015

I just read an article the other day that said there is a (very small) risk of stroke if you're a heavy smoker and quit cold turkey, so it suggested tapering down. The less you smoke, the better, so if you can quit then do it - whether it's cold turkey or tapering off.

amberrmariee20 · July 2015

My dr always recommended NRT (nicotine replacement therapy). I used the Nicorette patch to quit smoking with both my pregnancies.

Bigboobsmcgee · July 2015

So you didn't quit AT ALL? Oh lord. This is one thing you could have and should have figured out for yourself.

emshredder · July 2015

My SOs mom continued to smoke while pregnant with him and he has breathing issues and has an inhaler

amberrmariee20 · July 2015

emilyshredder said:
My SOs mom continued to smoke while pregnant with him and he has breathing issues and has an inhaler

My mother smoked while pregnant with me and I have asthma. I never smoked while pregnant with my son, and he also has asthma, and was born with a cyst on his vocal cords. Sometimes breathing problems can get genetic and not always links to smoking.

Bigboobsmcgee · July 2015

amberrmariee20 said:

My SOs mom continued to smoke while pregnant with him and he has breathing issues and has an inhaler
My mother smoked while pregnant with me and I have asthma. I never smoked while pregnant with my son, and he also has asthma, and was born with a cyst on his vocal cords. Sometimes breathing problems can get genetic and not always links to smoking.

Of course. But she said "breathing problems". Regardless, that's neither here nor there. The point is that smoking is awful for you and your unborn baby.

amberrmariee20 · July 2015

Bigboobsmcgee said:

amberrmariee20 said:

emilyshredder said:
My SOs mom continued to smoke while pregnant with him and he has breathing issues and has an inhaler
My mother smoked while pregnant with me and I have asthma. I never smoked while pregnant with my son, and he also has asthma, and was born with a cyst on his vocal cords. Sometimes breathing problems can get genetic and not always links to smoking.

Of course. But she said "breathing problems". Regardless, that's neither here nor there. The point is that smoking is awful for you and your unborn baby.

~~~~~~~~~~~ BLOCK QUOTE FAIL.

Oh I agree 100% but most breathing problems, asthma, bronchitis.. Etc are usually genetic based. Some people smoke through pregnancy and have healthy babies. While others don't smoke through pregnancy and have babies born with breathing problems, and other issues ! I never smoked while pregnant with my son and he had asthma and was also born with a cyst on his vocal cords, which they never could figure out where it came from ...,

hodds89 · July 2015

This sounds ridicules !!! Iv smoked well over 10 years and gave up cold turkey when i was 6 weeks!! Yes stress isnt good for you or baby but seriously smoking is worse! I know its hard to give up on a habbit and When i was preggs with ds1 i i still smoked here and there! I hate myself for doing that and he now has to have an inhaler, and has bad breathing problems! I know it may not be because of me smoking a small amount through my pregnancy but i kick myself for being selfish enough to have maybe affected my sons life in that way! Now in preg with twins and im determined to never go back the the fags! Never to late to stop

CrystalRaquel2010 · July 2015

I miscarried after quitting cold turkey with my first child. My doctor said quitting drinking and smoking cold turkey can put your body into shock if you used excessively for four years, which i did. Luckily, after quitting cold turkey drinking and smoking I haven't touched them for years. I am pregnant again, almost 37 weeks, and have a healthy baby on the way. I am glad i don't do any of it anymore, it was expensive and i don't want to ever see my little girl drinking or smoking. I was always told people who watch you will do 100% of what you do wrong and 50% of what you do right, and i would hate to be the reason i watch my child make decisions that slowly kill them and cost a lot. I would never suggest quitting cold turkey, because losing a child flat out sucks. But i would definitely quit as soon as possible.

YTuMamaTambien · July 2015

CrystalRaquel2010 said:

I miscarried after quitting cold turkey with my first child. My doctor said quitting drinking and smoking cold turkey can put your body into shock if you used excessively for four years, which i did. Luckily, after quitting cold turkey drinking and smoking I haven't touched them for years. I am pregnant again, almost 37 weeks, and have a healthy baby on the way. I am glad i don't do any of it anymore, it was expensive and i don't want to ever see my little girl drinking or smoking. I was always told people who watch you will do 100% of what you do wrong and 50% of what you do right, and i would hate to be the reason i watch my child make decisions that slowly kill them and cost a lot. I would never suggest quitting cold turkey, because losing a child flat out sucks. But i would definitely quit as soon as possible.

First, sorry about your miscarriage. I have to ask is it certain that you quitting smoking is what caused the miscarriage? There are many causes, the fact that you quit cold turkey may just be a coincidence.

CrystalRaquel2010 · July 2015

I have thought the same thing. Obviously there is no way to be absolutely sure, but I was just going off of what my doctor told me.

leylacorbett1 · July 2015

I quit antidepressants cold turkey after taking them for 10 years the day I found out I was pregnant. You should've stopped smoking.

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