If you think it is ok to smoke while pregnant pls read this!!

Mandy - posted on 10/14/2009

Alright ladies this is the second conversation I've had to lock due to everyones unwillingness to have a healthy debate. I've tolerated swearing in moderation but not when it's directed at people. As a thought let's all follow Thumper's Mom's advice "If you don't have somethin' nice to say...don't say nothin' at all". If locking these conversations is a problem for any of you I invite you to take it up with me directly and I will further explain myself. Let's keep it clean and helpful ladies, we're mothers here!!!!

Danielle - posted on 10/14/2009

I think everyone shouldnt just look at smoking though! I mean Doctors tell you eating certain things will harm your baby or not getting certain tests done can harm your unborn child! As a non smoking mother I dont think it is right but I mean numerous doctors told me it was alright to have a glass of wine every once in a while! I mean there have been tests that supposably prove AND disprove all of these facts! A family member of mine didnt smoke or drink and did everything all the books and doctors told her to and her child has had many complications after birth and I have known many women who have smoked or drank a glass of wine every once in a while and ate wat they want and there children came out fine! I mean doctors tell you it is very very important to take prenatel vitamins but even a couple days after taking them and being sick everyday i chose to stop and never took them again and my daughter is healthy as can be!! I just believe it is every womens decision to do what they want during there own pregnancy and if there child has problems after birth due to those things they are the ones who have to live with it and have to take care of there child with those complications! Society today puts people down for making mistakes and not doing what other people think is right and thats not fair! I mean does anyone here live there day to day life by what other people want or what they think is right! Well I dont! I live my life the way I think is best for me and my family and I will not change that because people throw things in my face and try to tell me im wrong when it might be wrong to them but its not to me! Everyone has a right to their own opinion and I do not think anyone is wrong stating there opinion and I do hope many women will look at these things and choose not to smoke while pregnant but in the end it is the mothers decision and thats the way it is supposed to be!

Nea - posted on 10/14/2009

This post has cause so much bullshit it should be locked and discarded of.

Nea - posted on 10/14/2009

Quoting alex:

I THINK IT SHOULD BE ILLEGAL TO SMOKE WHILE PREGNANT.iT BOILS MY WEE!!! And the pasty chav mams on here saying i smoked when i was pregnant and my baby is fine you should have your child taken off you!

How would you like to be locked in a room and have your growth stunted and not breath fresh air?your disgraceful if you smoke when pregnant!!!and do not deserve the right to be called a mother it is child a buse as the baby has no choice to breath in the smoke!
and if your partner smokes he wants shot as well!

i agree with victoria 10 months..40 weeks is really 10 months-is not long so any one smoking should get their fat lazy pregnant butts to the stop smoking clinc although the thought of the tiny life growing in you should be enough!

AND NO DOCTOR WOULD TELL YOU TO KEEP SMOKING COZ OF HEART ATTACK ITS IDIOT PEOPLE LIKE THIS THAT COST THE NHS TOO MUCH MONEY AND THEN THEIR CHILDREN WILL COZ THEY WHERE TOO SELFISH AND LAZY TO QUIT!!THEY SHOULD NOT BE ALLOWED ANY MORE KIDS!!

NOT TO MENTION NEW BABY SMELL..OF SMOKE GROSS!!!!

Any one who smokes when pregnant wants to get a selfish grip!

Seriously, WHO THE HELL ARE YOU to say who should have their children taken away??????  Smoking is an addiction that for some people is very HARD to stop.  So EXFUCKINGCUSE the women who have smoked while pregnant.  you act as if were fucking monsters who dont give a fuck, YOU ARE WRONG!  We love our children just as much as the non smokers!  EVERYONE who has posted negitive bullshit in this post about how smokers dont love their children or dont give a shit or should have their kids taken away should rot in fucking hell.  I wasnt gonna say anything like this but the more I read the more pissed off I get and This  bullshit above here is what frosted my cake.  "fat lazy pregnent butts"  Why do we have to be lazy cause we dont get to a stop smoking clininc???  Ya ever think we work? We have more kids to take care of? Our Spouse or S.O. is working with only one car?  FUCK YOU!! next time you have something to say, DONT!

Cori - posted on 10/14/2009

and btw there is WAAAAY more than just nicotine in cigarettes... like rat poison and other harmful chemicals.. you shouldnt smoke as a human being much less as a pregnant woman or mother... but thats just my opinion..

Jodi - posted on 10/14/2009

Quoting amber:

actually, i have asked a few doctors about that and they said that not much nicotine gets to them. thats why the placenta is there, to filter that kind of stuff

It's not so much the nicotine that's worrisome at this point. It's the point that when you smoke you're inhaling less oxygen, which means you are depriving your baby of oxygen. I'm not starting a fight, I just wanted to let you know because I too asked my doctors the same thing!

Alex - posted on 10/14/2009

I THINK IT SHOULD BE ILLEGAL TO SMOKE WHILE PREGNANT.iT BOILS MY WEE!!! And the pasty chav mams on here saying i smoked when i was pregnant and my baby is fine you should have your child taken off you!



How would you like to be locked in a room and have your growth stunted and not breath fresh air?your disgraceful if you smoke when pregnant!!!and do not deserve the right to be called a mother it is child a buse as the baby has no choice to breath in the smoke!

and if your partner smokes he wants shot as well!



i agree with victoria 10 months..40 weeks is really 10 months-is not long so any one smoking should get their fat lazy pregnant butts to the stop smoking clinc although the thought of the tiny life growing in you should be enough!



AND NO DOCTOR WOULD TELL YOU TO KEEP SMOKING COZ OF HEART ATTACK ITS IDIOT PEOPLE LIKE THIS THAT COST THE NHS TOO MUCH MONEY AND THEN THEIR CHILDREN WILL COZ THEY WHERE TOO SELFISH AND LAZY TO QUIT!!THEY SHOULD NOT BE ALLOWED ANY MORE KIDS!!



NOT TO MENTION NEW BABY SMELL..OF SMOKE GROSS!!!!



Any one who smokes when pregnant wants to get a selfish grip!

Samantha - posted on 10/14/2009

Nicotine is water and fat soluble, so it can pass through the placenta just like oxygen can. It does get to the baby.

Victoria - posted on 10/14/2009

OMG - give up or don't get pregnant - 9 months is not that long

Amber - posted on 10/13/2009

P.S. im not saying its ok to do it. thats just what the docs told me

Amber - posted on 10/13/2009

actually, i have asked a few doctors about that and they said that not much nicotine gets to them. thats why the placenta is there, to filter that kind of stuff

Mrs.katie - posted on 10/13/2009

I can agree on helping each other out, this is what this site is about. But it does get under my skin when people smoke while prego!! That let me know that u don't care about your health or the babi that you are caring. I am not getting work up about this, but my point is SMOKING IS WRONG PERIOD during and around kids. and please call me Katie not Cathi. I hate that. Keep up the post.

and this is what she said that don't make any since to me?


(Tyarria PAIGE )

I smoked while I was pregnant and my son is fucking healthy... and I still smoke but I don't let no one smoke around him or when he is the house.... Okay.. so I was irresponsible.

Sam - posted on 10/13/2009

copied from SIDS info sheet: www.sidsandkids.org

Babies and young children are especially vulnerable to the poisons in second hand smoke

because their bodies are developing.1

Prenatal smoking increases the risk of stillbirth2-4, 31, neonatal mortality (death of a live-born

baby within 28 days)5 and infant mortality2.

An increased risk of SIDS when babies are exposed to tobacco smoke has been found in

numerous epidemiological, case-control and cohort studies6-10. A large case-control study in the UK carried out on families with babies born in 1993-1995, since the change in sleeping position was promoted, found that the incidence of smoking during pregnancy was greater in mothers of 195 SIDS cases (63%) than in mothers of 780 controls (25%).9 This finding is consistent over time and place. Most studies have reported a dose-response relationship11-12

so that the more cigarette smoke the baby is exposed to, the higher the risk of SIDS.

A study of babies aged 8-12 weeks (when babies are at the peak risk of SIDS) found that

babies who were exposed to tobacco smoke before birth do not arouse as readily as babies

of women who did not smoke during pregnancy15. It is really important that babies can arouse

readily from sleep so they can respond by swallowing or gasping if a life-threatening event

happens (for example the time between breaths is really long, or there is fluid in the throat).

Babies have trouble arousing when they are exposed to tobacco smoke before birth and this

is believed to possibly contribute to the final pathway to SIDS.

Samantha - posted on 10/13/2009

Actually, I'm in nursing school, and SIDS is usually a result of re-breathing, meaning the baby inhales the exhaled carbon dioxide as opposed to oxygen. thats why you're told to put babies to sleep on their backs and not put any blankets or stuffed animals in the crib.

Bernadette - posted on 10/13/2009

I am sorry to say that
Nobody knows the cause of SIDS, SIDS actually means "Death caused by unknown"
The only think that can point to SIDS at the moment is the temp of the baby (baby gets hotter when on their tummy or sick due to hard of breathing) and fumes that come off the mattress. ( google Dr Sprott mattress cover, no deaths have occurred while using this product, that I know of, I find that amazing) Everyone that says anything else is lying and I would ask to see hard evidence.

Sam - posted on 10/13/2009

if you ever seen someone die from cancer then you know how nasty it is, if not then i suggest some research on your part. I watched my 19 yr old sister suffer with chemo for 3 years before she died, and i watched her die slowly for near 2 wks untill her lungs filled up with so much fluid it was coming out of her mouth like foam when she finally died. The amount of suffering she had to go through isn't right for animal. I had to walk away from her at times to hide the tears. why risk it on yourself or more importantly your children? Just take it as something to consider not someone telling you what to do.

Samantha - posted on 10/13/2009

Quoting Cathi:

I quit smoking when I was pregnant. I personally feel you should. But that is what I personally feel. I don't think any of us have a right to tell someone else what to do. That post did not say she thought it was ok, she said she knew the risks and chose to continue anyway. Nobody likes being told what to do, and as moms we have all had a million and five ppl telling what we should be doing. Bottom line, it is up to the individual, not the rest of the world to make these decisions. This site is supposed to be about helping each other with parenting/pregnancy questions and issue, and support. It is not for bashing ppl on decisions that none of us will be able to change anyway. There is NO POINT in getting all worked up about a person whom you have NEVER even met decision on how to treat their body while pregnant. Haven't all of you got enough to worry about? Isn't there enough stresses in your life without adding these extras from ppl you don't even know? I say again, we are here to help each other!

Thank you, Cathi.  I conpletely agree with you  :)

Sam - posted on 10/13/2009

i agree. What's worse is when other people have absolutely no consideration what so ever for pregnant woman, or young children and no matter how you try to stay away from them, or keep you babies/children away from them, they always seem to find a way to get as close as possible to have a smoke. Why is it they think because they smoke everyone else has to as well. grrrrr...

Mrs.katie - posted on 10/13/2009

I am going to agree w/u on that! Moms on here that smoke while prego and think nothing will go wrong during birth or when they get older is just STUPID! The one mom on here that said i smoke during my prego stages and my babi is fine, but don't let no one else smoke around him. Are you dumb? I just think sometimes babi's is better off raised by a pack of wolf's!

Cathi - posted on 10/13/2009

I quit smoking when I was pregnant. I personally feel you should. But that is what I personally feel. I don't think any of us have a right to tell someone else what to do. That post did not say she thought it was ok, she said she knew the risks and chose to continue anyway. Nobody likes being told what to do, and as moms we have all had a million and five ppl telling what we should be doing. Bottom line, it is up to the individual, not the rest of the world to make these decisions. This site is supposed to be about helping each other with parenting/pregnancy questions and issue, and support. It is not for bashing ppl on decisions that none of us will be able to change anyway. There is NO POINT in getting all worked up about a person whom you have NEVER even met decision on how to treat their body while pregnant. Haven't all of you got enough to worry about? Isn't there enough stresses in your life without adding these extras from ppl you don't even know? I say again, we are here to help each other!

Tanya - posted on 10/13/2009

Hi everyone im a non smoker and believe that the baby in you doesnt have a say in it to maybe become unhealty like me.

I have asthma because my mother smoked..Its not fair on me to have this problem forever, it is a burden on me and my health.I just believe whilst the little person inside does not have a say,

then you need to make the safest and healthier choice for that person,I know it would be very hard but its a choice that is fair to your little baby,
whilst they may not have imediate health problems they may develope some in the future,for me any risk was 1 risk to many..dont smoke for the person in you that has no say in it..

Im not wanting to offend any one on here,just giving my opnion on it, i have seen 4 people die that i loved very much from smoke related disease ,stop just so that you can be around as long as you can for your child ..:-)

Lakyn - posted on 10/12/2009

I think its embarasing to smoke when ur pregnant why put your baby at jeopardy for any illnesess or complications.

Chloe - posted on 10/12/2009

im sorry please dont judge me cuase i smoked while pregnant however befor i even found out i had a heart attack im 22 years old (my heart attack is not related to my smoking i have a blood clotting condition) my cardiologist told me that the stress of quitting would make it worse how ever a month later i found out i was pregnant and saw my specialist and said iam pregnant i want ot quit but they told me it increased m chance of another heart attack so i cut down as much as i could im sorry i know it is unhealthy for a baby but wat would my family explain to my two other children who at the time were 3 and 1 years of age my son was born prem but due to my condition he was 3.2 kg at 6 weeks early and is doing well i DO NOT regret my decision to smoke so please sit there and think there are worst things that mothers could be doing to their babies my first child was born on time with no medical conditions i did not smoke drink or do drugs however he died of sids at 2 months of age and i still ask wat i did wrong and the doctor said they DO NOT know the cause of sids

Ashley - posted on 10/12/2009

Well i can say that i am a smoker, i have gone from a pack a day to 4-5 cigs a day, i smoked with my son and the only problem he has is with ear infections. My mother smoked while pregnant with me, and all i have is allergies. my husbands mother smoked with all three of her kids and the only time they get sick or have problems is when flu season comes around and everyone gets the flu. My sister, worked out her entire pregnancy, ate right, didnt smoke, and her kids are constantly sick, and her youngest son has a problem with having too many lymph node cells in the side of his mouth... even if you go through all the genetic testing and ultrasounds and blood work and did everything right for your pregnancy and non of them come up with anything and then your child is born with downs syndrome or something else, whose fault is it? yours ? the dr? no blame? or the kids that die of SIDS? THERE IS NO DEFINITE CAUSE OF SIDS!!! a prefectly healthy baby can die of sids, and what is it caused from, cigarette smoke, and baby being too hot, and all kids of shit! why cant the dr say hey your baby over heated had a complication with his heart and died...? no its a your child died from SIDS... there is NO reason... SUDDEN INFANT DEATH SYNDROME... so dont diss a mother who smoked, cause there are mothers everywhere who fuck up sometime, but that doesnt mean they are a bad mother.. i live in a navy town, and there is so much pollution in the airthat there is orange moss and all kiinds of shit growing on the trees out here, but does that mean im not going to take my kid outside? no.. come on be serious here...whats worse JP5 jet fuel or cig smoke? honestly, your not the boss of other people so stop trying to tell others what to do...

Samantha - posted on 10/11/2009

I really wish people wouldn't attack each other on here. This site is to give support to other moms and connect with each other. Everyone has different opinions, but lets not put each other down for them. I personally quit, but I know not everyone can. A good friend of mine couldn't and her son is happy and healthy. I just wish people could not insult each other...being a parent is hard enough w/o the judgement.

Lynsey - posted on 10/11/2009

Quoting Tansy:

I think it is an absolute disgrace when women do that! It sickens me! If you are not prepared to make sucha small sacrafice for just 9 months for your unborn child then you are not fit to be a mother! I hate it it makes me so so so angry! It isnt about you! and what you want you going to be a mother dont be so sodding selfish and think about you poor unborn child which you are destroying! Scumbags!

And this is what I was talking about... Totally close-minded, judgemental, and up on a high horse... Not everyone on here has been this way, but you, Tansy, are the true qualifier for this statement. If you had read my post, you would have noticed that I said I tried to quit and after 3 weeks, my doctor was more worried about the stress being caused to my child than about my smoking habits... Yes, I agree that smoking while pregnant is not good. Yes, I agree that the risks may go up when you continue to smoke. However, when my OBGYN tells me that quitting is not the best for my child, then I'm going to listen to her. I tried like hell to quit for my daughter's sake, but when my health and my child's health started showing signs of possible ailments due to stress, and my doctor says she'd rather me light up, I listened. Was it what you may have done? No. But as a first time mother who wants what's best for her child, I listened to what my doctor had to say. You call me unfit? Maybe you are the unfit mother, because you are probably teaching your child to show immediate hatred for things that they don't understand... Like mother like child, right? But you know what? I'm not going to call you unfit, because that's not who I am... I don't like to criticize other people's parenting techniques... The only reason I got on here was to state the other side of the story, which you seem unable to handle... I'm sorry you feel this way, but I would do anything for my little girl, and listening to the doctor qualifies in that scenario... I'm tired of getting attacked on here just because I made a decision. I wish people would open their eyes and try to look at it from another viewpoint... I feel quilty as hell that I smoked while pregnant, but I saw no other options... I beg you to take that into account before you jump down my throat again or someone else's... It's just wrong...

Bernadette - posted on 10/11/2009

I am a non smoker and I don't need to read that, I smoked with first, not with 2nd, in most cases it actually does more damage to give up while pregnant, just ask your doctor.

Tansy - posted on 10/11/2009

I managed to quit smokin when pregnant! And yeah i do brush my twins teeth twice a day and their gums for 2 minutes even though they hate it! lol and my boys have never had juice they only drink water and they aboslutly love it becasue they dont know any different i wont give them juice. Lets face it we all want the best for a our children that why were on this site... and i am sure we all do things which are not great for them but smoking whilst pregnant or around your baby is totally different we all know what it can cause their is no doubt about it! its just not all mothers are as aware of other stuff!

APRIL - posted on 10/11/2009

I smoke an I am 6 months pregnant I do not think it is ok to smoke while you are pregnant and just because women smoke while they are pregnant does not mean they think its ok! I also think yes its not fair to the baby inside me but I also have had numerous miscarriages right after I found out that I was pregnant before and quit smoking right away. An as for the whole birth weight issue my son is already twice the size he is suppose to be at this part of my pregnancy I will probably have to be induced. Smoking yes is bad but there alot of things that women do while there pregnant that they should not and to just say something about smoking is rude! There are plenty of women who don't eat the way they should,drink,do drugs and don't care of themselves at all. People act like smoking is the worse thing ever an it is bad don't get me wrong but I think there are way worse things that women do!

Tansy - posted on 10/11/2009

Of course Smoking is more harmful than when you are out and about! That is sucha stupid thing to say dont even try to justify what you did with that! if you cut from20 to three why didnt you just cut out those 3! selfish is the word! When you are out you can avoid smokers which i sure did i did the aboslute best my my children when i was pregnant didnt smoke or drink one drop of booze! Even though i know a little wouldnt hurt it was more to prove to myself that i was ready to become a mum and start makin those small sacrafices! And i was so proud of my self! It makes me sick to even see pregnant women have the nerve to smoke walking down the street...all i can think is scum scum scum

Tansy - posted on 10/11/2009

Quoting Lynsey:

I just wanted to say this as a mom who smoked while pregnant.... I'm not looking to be yelled at or anything, but I want to input something that you may not understand...

I tried quiting smoking early on, however I started having anxiety attacks... That wasn't going to be enough to prevent me from quiting until I talked to my dr about it. She said that the stress from quiting could actually do more harm to the baby, and that as long as I just cut back, everything should be ok. Did I feel guilty while doing it? Yes. However, I was doing what I thought was best for my child. I have talked to MANY women who have smoked during pregnancy, and have never met someone who's child was born unhealthy due to smoking. I'm sure it happens, but I haven't seen proof for myself. Also, the same health issues that were "caused by smoking" for some women have also occured to women who've never smoked a day in their lives or been around 2nd hand smoke... If something is going to go wrong with the child, it will happen, whether you do anything bad or not. My daughter is now 2 1/2 months old, healthy as a horse, and well ahead of most in developement. She was almost holding her head up since the day she was born and has now been holding it up on her own since she was 1 1/2 months old.. Maybe I got lucky, maybe I didn't, but we never can predict what's going to happen to our children, can we? You may believe that smoking is bad and that women like myself have no morals or whatever... I choose to believe that you just aren't thinking out of the box, and are just following what society is believing at this current moment...

Again, not looking for an argument, just stating my opinion...




See you wer in a different situations its people that choose  not to ive up because it is hard or what ever they make me sick!

Tansy - posted on 10/11/2009

I think it is an absolute disgrace when women do that! It sickens me! If you are not prepared to make sucha small sacrafice for just 9 months for your unborn child then you are not fit to be a mother! I hate it it makes me so so so angry! It isnt about you! and what you want you going to be a mother dont be so sodding selfish and think about you poor unborn child which you are destroying! Scumbags!

Nea - posted on 10/11/2009

FIRST off, I dont wanna hear any negative feedback, im stating MY opinion and life FACTS: my mom smoked while pregnant with me, im 25 yrs old, Im terrific she smoked with my brother who is 29 yrs old, he is good too. I smoked with both of my kids and BY NO MEANS am I saying it is fine to smoke while pregnant, but some people cant quit cold turkey and i have heard a DR say it *MAYBE* worse to quit while pregnant because ur baby has already grown the addiction and then you take it away, the baby goes through its own stress during that time. I have a three yr old in fantastic health and a 9 month old in wonderful health, which I am very thankful for, BUT there is just as much a chance for something to go wrong with the baby even if you dont smoke. Like I said, Im not saying its the greatest idea to smoke while pregnant, but people do it.

Sara - posted on 10/11/2009

Quoting Tyarria :

I don't care if you take this the wrong way or not. I smoked while I was pregnant and my son is fucking healthy... and I still smoke but I don't let no one smoke around him or when he is the house.... Okay.. so I was irresponsible. But what I offended that you yall is sitting here telling that ppl who smoke is a bad a mother... I loved my child daily... I am sure you did somthing stupied and made mistakes in your life. with your child or whatever but don't fucking judge other mothers and judge your own parenting skills

No one has said that smoking makes you a bad mother on here. It's called "projection" for all you ladies out there who think that we're being hateful and calling you bad moms. It doesn't make you a bad mom, but to deny that it's harmful for your unborn child is ridiculous. If that makes me judgemental and close-minded so be it. I smoked for 10 years and quit so I have zero sympathy for people who say it's too hard to quit. It's a digusting and vile habit, and as an ex-smoker I feel I'm totally qualified to make that judgement.

Iysha - posted on 10/11/2009

Quoting Melissa:

I'm at a lose for words here somewhat. I can't say that I didn't have a few cigarettes during my pregnancy however there is absolutely no smoking in our home or my son's grandparents home. But, seriously we are all moms here. I've seen far too many things that mothers do that I totally don't agree with but I would not come straight out and tell them in so many words that you are a terrible mother you should rot in hell for what you just did. For instance when I went in for my WIC appointment last month I discussed with the nutritionist about juice for my 6 and a half month old, because I am not ready to give him juice at the moment. This is because at my last dental cleaning my dental hygienist tells me that my son could inherit my rate of decay which is very high and they have no reason as to why. So she says it's best to hold off on and make sure he has a little sugar as possible. Do all you mother's brush or clean baby's jawline daily, if you don't you should!! Anyway to the point now, the nutritionist tells me not to worry because juice is not something a child needs as long as you meeting their dietary needs with fresh veggies and fruits. Here's the kicker WIC is no longer paying for juice with their vouchers. The nutritionist went on to tell me that mother's are not diluting juices with water, putting babies to bed with bottles of juice, and letting babies go around with juice in the sippy cup all day. Ok now you tell me if consuming too much sugar is not in some way or another killing our kids too!? I'm not making excuses for myself, I would just like to point out the fact that the person pointing the finger and bad mouthing other people should usually turn the finger on themselves and reevaluate their own situation! None of us are SUPER MOMS but we are all trying our best whether you smoked some while pregnant, left a poopy diaper on a little too long, left the baby crying to gain sanity, put the baby to bed with a bottle of anything but water, come on we all do a freakin hard job so give some credit where credit is due!!!!!!

True, there are other things that people do that are not in our children's best interest. I personally do see a lot of children under the age of 3 that have to get their teeth taken out since I work for an Oral Surgeon. That however is most often than not because of a lack of knowledge on the parent's part. I find it hard to believe that any mother who is smoking while pregnant doesn't know that the effects smoking can have very serious effects on an unborn child simply because at the first doctors visit, if you are in access to any exposure, even if you are not the one smoking, the doctor tells you how important staying away from cigarettes is. Many women either don't thinnk the dangers are too much of a risk, have not known anyone who has had an unhealthy child be born to a smoker, or don't think it will happen to them, or it is too hard to quit. 

I personally cannot stand to see parents do things that are stricktly advised not to do by health proffessionals and experts. The reason it bothers me is because I gave birth to a premature infant due to reasons that were not in my control and that I didn't even find out about until after I had my child. I feel like, I did everything I could to make sure that my child would be born healthy and safe and there was still a complication...So why are people smoking/doing drugs/drinking while they are pregnant? The risks of something happening to children of mothers who do these things go up significantly. Why would someone intentionally heighten that risk? IT IS TRULY GAMBELING WITH THE HEALTH OF THAT UNBORN CHILD! Sure, not all babies born to smokers will have a health issue but the risk is higher. I guess it is up to the mother if she feels lucky enough to gamble the health of her unborn child, but it is never the less, sad to think someone would.

Poopy diapers and too much sugar are far less harmful than smoking during pregnancy.  I understand where you were going though...nobody is a perfect mom and it is wrong to judge other moms but we do it reguardless. We all can't help it... we take what we know and believe to be true and fret when we hear of someone doing differnet. But like I said before, some things are much more harmful than others and smoking during pregnancy is one of the top preventable things pregnant women do that can harm their unborn children.

I don't believe Tiffany posted this to offend anyone or to intentionally hurt anyone's feelings, or make them feel bad. I think it was to inform women who are pregnant and are smoking of the dangers and gave them a link that can better inform them. A lot of people don't think it will happen to them, but that is the type of thinking that can have serious consequences. She was merely trying to HELP, not to push blame, judgement or inferiority onto anyone.

Kerri - posted on 10/11/2009

i smoked with both my pregnacies and my girls r beatiful and healthy

Jodi - posted on 10/11/2009

Alright, first off. I quit smoking for 3 months BEFORE my husband and I even tried to get pregnant. My daughter is 7 months old and I still have not had a single smoke. That said, I have something to say to all the people who claim they have never seen a baby with ill effects from smoking. My sister smoked throughout her entire pregnancy, she cut back from a pack a day to only 5 to 8 a day, but still smoked. Her son was born 7 weeks early, weight 5 lbs 2 oz, but in all other ways appeared healthy. He is now two, he has horrible breathing problems, wheezing all the time, gets chest colds all the time, has been in and out of the doctors office more than I can count. All lung related illnesses. Why? Because his mother smoked, the doctors have told us that is the reason, they see it all the time. Now she is pregnant again, and still smoking, obviously did not learn her lesson the first time. As for my opinion, which btw, does not make me close minded and judgemental, I think it is irresponsible and selfish to smoke while pregnant. Does it make you a bad mother? NO, we all do irresponsible and selfish things once in a while, but for me, this tops the list, with drug abuse and drinking right up there. PLEASE do not smoke while you are pregnant, if you have kids, quit now! It is very harmful, in the short run and the long run! They can't understand the ramifications of our actions, we need to do what's best for them before we regret it! Good luck to all the women trying to quit. I know how hard it is, but it is SO worth it!

Samantha - posted on 10/11/2009

So I thought I would just tell my story, which may give a little insight to everyone on here...I was smoking a pack a day when I found out I was 5 weeks pregnant. I was very stressed because I was a senior in high school who was dreading telling my parents about it. I continued to smoke for the next week after I found out to help with the difficult situation I was dealing with, but after that, I quit cold turkey. My daughter's dad didn't have such an easy time quitting. He had to go to his doctor and get on medicine to help him quit. And honestly, I think it's just different for different people. It boils down to a person's personality and how easy or hard it is for them to quit. For me, the answer was simple, and so I quit asap to help my child have the best start she could have. But I know it's not as easy for everyone to quit. I am very stubborn and driven, and those characteristics helped me quit quickly. I agree that smoking during pregnancy is dangerous, but don't keep putting those moms down...I'm sure they already feel bad about it and maybe tried but couldn't quit. Just wanted to throw in my bit to this conversation to try and give some insight to some people.

Donna - posted on 10/11/2009

Quoting Lynsey:

I have been reading this over and over, and have come to the realization that the majority of women that are responding to this are very close-minded, stubborn, and dare I say up on a high horse? I agree with Dee Wells and Melissa Vroman... EVERYONE has an opinion and the great thing about America is that we can all state our own opinions freely... However, we are supposed to be able to do this without harsh judgement... Unless you are a doctor yourself, I don't want to hear anyone questioning my doctor's responses to my pregnancy. I did what I thought was best, and that's the end of the discussion. It most certainly does NOT make me a bad mother for smoking while I was pregnant! My child is well fed, has a roof over her head, is bathed regularly, wears new clothes, and gets constant attention from me when she is awake. She is a very happy child, with no medical problems, and if you still call that being a bad mother, then I commend you... You must be mother of the year, and perfect on top of it... Let me also add that NO ONE is perfect... I'm sure there are some things you have done that isn't considered appropriate by some people, but it's what you thought was best for your child... I certainly wouldn't put you down for that... Of course, that's the difference between a person like myself who is open-minded and non-judgmental, and yourselves...

To the mothers that stood up for me, and know what I went through in one way or another... Thank you... You are very kind. Wish there were more people out there who know what it is to listen and evalute before judging...

I am speaking as a mother who did give up smoking during my pregnancy, and yes it was hard but the facts are that smoking CAN harm your unborn child. I quit cold turkey i also quit drinking and deli meats and soft cheeses shell fish the list goes on, because i wanted to give my baby the best start i possibly could.  I still dont smoke to this day as even the third hand smoke on our clothes and bodies increases the risk of SIDS.  I have not put anyones parenting down and have merely tried to encourage you all to give up.  My doctor advised me to quit so i did not only that my husband would definately not encourage me to carry on smoking during my pregnancy.

I do know what you went through by cutting right back and well done for that.  But those 3 or 4 cigarettes still harm your baby aswell! 

Lynsey - posted on 10/11/2009

I have been reading this over and over, and have come to the realization that the majority of women that are responding to this are very close-minded, stubborn, and dare I say up on a high horse? I agree with Dee Wells and Melissa Vroman... EVERYONE has an opinion and the great thing about America is that we can all state our own opinions freely... However, we are supposed to be able to do this without harsh judgement... Unless you are a doctor yourself, I don't want to hear anyone questioning my doctor's responses to my pregnancy. I did what I thought was best, and that's the end of the discussion. It most certainly does NOT make me a bad mother for smoking while I was pregnant! My child is well fed, has a roof over her head, is bathed regularly, wears new clothes, and gets constant attention from me when she is awake. She is a very happy child, with no medical problems, and if you still call that being a bad mother, then I commend you... You must be mother of the year, and perfect on top of it... Let me also add that NO ONE is perfect... I'm sure there are some things you have done that isn't considered appropriate by some people, but it's what you thought was best for your child... I certainly wouldn't put you down for that... Of course, that's the difference between a person like myself who is open-minded and non-judgmental, and yourselves...



To the mothers that stood up for me, and know what I went through in one way or another... Thank you... You are very kind. Wish there were more people out there who know what it is to listen and evalute before judging...

Donna - posted on 10/11/2009

Quoting Dee:

I agree with Lynsey Bramstedt. My doctor said the same thing i went through the anxiety attacks as well as becomeing extremly dissy. I cut back from smoking 20 - 30 a day to just 4, now im sorry but nobody cant tell me i didnt try. My son is now 6 weeks old and has also been holdin his head from birth and is already sitting for short amouts of time. Yes i felt gulity and like a monster for smoking during pregnancy, but i had to do what i had to do to protect him.

I would just like to say Melissa Vroman is right, everyone has a different say. However everyone just needs to but off a little and look to see just they are doing that other people dont agree with and see how it makes them feel.

Smoking dosnt make you a bad mother.

I dont understand your statement " but i had to do what i had to do to protect him" !

Sky - posted on 10/10/2009

Smoking while pregnant is just selfish.. Its just plain wrong.. Yes, I am saying anyone is wrong for smoking while pregnant. Anyone who had a healthy baby despite smoking just got lucky. PLEASE quit for your health and your baby's. It's also wrong to smoke around a pregnant woman or child.

Dee - posted on 10/10/2009

I agree with Lynsey Bramstedt. My doctor said the same thing i went through the anxiety attacks as well as becomeing extremly dissy. I cut back from smoking 20 - 30 a day to just 4, now im sorry but nobody cant tell me i didnt try. My son is now 6 weeks old and has also been holdin his head from birth and is already sitting for short amouts of time. Yes i felt gulity and like a monster for smoking during pregnancy, but i had to do what i had to do to protect him.



I would just like to say Melissa Vroman is right, everyone has a different say. However everyone just needs to but off a little and look to see just they are doing that other people dont agree with and see how it makes them feel.



Smoking dosnt make you a bad mother.

Tyarria - posted on 10/10/2009

I don't care if you take this the wrong way or not. I smoked while I was pregnant and my son is fucking healthy... and I still smoke but I don't let no one smoke around him or when he is the house.... Okay.. so I was irresponsible. But what I offended that you yall is sitting here telling that ppl who smoke is a bad a mother... I loved my child daily... I am sure you did somthing stupied and made mistakes in your life. with your child or whatever but don't fucking judge other mothers and judge your own parenting skills

Melissa - posted on 10/10/2009

Sharon that's the point is that we are all TRYING to do the best. It just seemed as though all mothers jumped on here and pointed out the fact that if you smoked whether a lot or little while you were pregnant is was the end all be all. It just seemed like quite a few judgmental close minded replies to this. The Lynsey lady's doctor may have told her that not saying he or she is right or wrong. Our doctors in the US are educated at a wide variety of medical schools so therefore there will be a difference of opinion medically speaking so to come on here and pick her out and bad mouth her doctor is just not something I personally think anyone should do. Speaking of doing what's best for our children I for one do not want to raise my son as a closed minded being who spots a statement he doesn't like and runs with it. I want him to read it, observe it, educate his self about it, educate others, and be fairly tight lipped about it. That is unless there is a circumstance where he should speak his mind however never to make one feel less of themselves!

Emanuelieta - posted on 10/09/2009

Quoting Lynsey:

I just wanted to say this as a mom who smoked while pregnant.... I'm not looking to be yelled at or anything, but I want to input something that you may not understand...

I tried quiting smoking early on, however I started having anxiety attacks... That wasn't going to be enough to prevent me from quiting until I talked to my dr about it. She said that the stress from quiting could actually do more harm to the baby, and that as long as I just cut back, everything should be ok. Did I feel guilty while doing it? Yes. However, I was doing what I thought was best for my child. I have talked to MANY women who have smoked during pregnancy, and have never met someone who's child was born unhealthy due to smoking. I'm sure it happens, but I haven't seen proof for myself. Also, the same health issues that were "caused by smoking" for some women have also occured to women who've never smoked a day in their lives or been around 2nd hand smoke... If something is going to go wrong with the child, it will happen, whether you do anything bad or not. My daughter is now 2 1/2 months old, healthy as a horse, and well ahead of most in developement. She was almost holding her head up since the day she was born and has now been holding it up on her own since she was 1 1/2 months old.. Maybe I got lucky, maybe I didn't, but we never can predict what's going to happen to our children, can we? You may believe that smoking is bad and that women like myself have no morals or whatever... I choose to believe that you just aren't thinking out of the box, and are just following what society is believing at this current moment...

Again, not looking for an argument, just stating my opinion...

Kudos to you love. Really, i watch my father try to quit... I see what it does to people.... I don't smoke... Never did... ( thank goodness way too expensive for me lol! )  I just know from seeing people i love try to quit, how hard it really is... I don't harp on people who smoke, i just ask, please don't do it around me or my child. Ya wanna smoke, go outside...  Being pregnant.... well i know the anxiety thing... i JUST lowered my meds, to get off of them because i found out im pregnant... and boy is my stomach killing me... i have the worst anxiety... tomorrow is my last day of meds... but i think i should be okay... i hope lmao! 

Sharon - posted on 10/09/2009

I can see your point - there are many things that can affect our kids. But isnt this all the more reason to eliminate things that we know without a doubt are harmful? We are all smart women here, trying to do our best. My point is, that I dont think smoking during pregnancy is doing your best for your baby. Just my opinion.

Melissa - posted on 10/09/2009

I'm apparently ineffectually trying to compare some of the other reckless things we do with our babies/children that could cause adverse affects to their well being. An unbalanced diet which might or might not contain too much sugar leads to? Ah ha you got it obesity, tooth decay, diabetes, and many other health related illnesses. Now you tell me are these not going to eventually kill our children. Not too mention we are all exposed every day to environmental hazards: pesticides, drinking water contamination, 2nd 3rd and 4th hand smoke, and CO! FYI some of the cleanest air is in our country's parking garages. Just something to think about not get all riled up over, it's a free country last I checked.

Sharon - posted on 10/09/2009

And, this thread is about smoking when pregnant - nothing to do with anything else that mums may or may not do that could harm their babies.

Sharon - posted on 10/09/2009

This is crazy. You are comparing giving juice to a baby with smoking while pregnant which we know kills babies. I think maybe if you read back you will see how silly that comparison is.

Tooth decay versus death or disease. HMMMMM I wonder which is worse