Can't stop SMOKING!

Linea - posted on 09/28/2011

I have tried quitting for years now...especially when I was preggo with my daughter...everytime I would even get close to being out I would lose it...finally realized that I wasn't going to be able to quit and not go insane I did cut back though to less than half a pack a day, my daughter is fine happy healthy 13mo

Trish - posted on 09/27/2011

Brush your teeth. Everytime you feel like a ciggy go and brush your teeth and keep telling yourself you are going to quit...everytime you want a smoke. Try that...it's cheap and you can do it. The reason being why you brush your teeth because smokers don't like smoking after they brush unless you're a weird few that do. You can do anything you just have to put your mind into it. You want to stop...STOP. Don't make excuses and just do it.

Monika - posted on 09/22/2011

right.... same issue here. i am 8 weeks and having a hell of a time. huge migraine from having to quit

Sarah - posted on 08/01/2010

i would say to keep trying to quit! i didn't know this but in a class everyone in my state has to watch in order to get licensed to do daycare is a movie about smoking during pregnancy and brain development! they hooked monitors up to the mothers and their unborn children and everytime the pregnant mother took a puff of her cigarette her baby's heart would stop beating! the tested the mothers while they weren't smoking and the baby's heartbeat never stopped! i think it would make me think twice about smoking if i knew my child's heart would stop everytime i had to take a puff! maybe thinking about that will help you quit! my husband has been trying to quit chewing tobacco on and off for 4 years... he's finally able to stop because he doesn't want our son to see him using it!

Shannon - posted on 07/31/2010

Hard as it is, you CAN make yourself stop. With my 1st pregnancy, I cut back but didn't totally stop. Daughter is healthy, fine, and top of her class. 2nd pregnancy was twins and I was pretty high-risk, so I did stop altogether. They are quite healthy, top of their classes, too This time, I fought with it most of the time. I cut way, way back, as patches aren't so safe in pregnancy. If you use them w/ dr's ok, only use the ones that aren't 24 hr patches. Finally, due to complications, came to the conclusion that the 1 or 2 I was having every few days weren't worth the risk to my son and that I had to stop being selfish. The trick is TO NOT LET YOURSELF START UP AGAIN AFTER THE BABY IS BORN. You can force yourself to quit, even though it is miserable. But if you start again after, all the hard work you went through is undone. This time, I will NOT allow myself to backslide and get back to that habit. After a while, it really doesn't bother you so much. You can do this. And if you don't totally quit, do cut back and DON'T beat yourself up about it. That only stresses you out more. Wishing you a happy/healthy delivery and the knowledge that you are SOOOOO not alone out there! :)

Erica - posted on 07/16/2010

The hardest thing I ever did was quit! I wish you all the luck in the world! What worked for me was to put yourself in situations where you CAN'T smoke as much as possible. Example: go to the movies, hang out with friends who don't smoke, ect... The biggest thing in my opinion is this: if you manage to quit, DO NOT start up again! Do whatever you have to do to stop yourself. After my daughter was born I had a few cigarettes here and there and felt dangerously close to starting up again. I know if I had, I'd never have quit again. It was just too hard. Take pride in every cigarette that you DON'T have because even if you can cut down, then you will be doing a good thing for your baby. Like the other ladies said though, don't stress. Lots of women smoke their whole pregnancies and have healthy babies. Best of luck!

Ivana - posted on 07/16/2010

Hi Lenica, I'm also in south Africa and I think a big problem is that private doctors here will ok almost anything - my friend was told she can drink a glass or two of wine every night!!!!

Do the research on the internet and you'll find all the info you need- all that can happen in years to come. If all mums just saw it plain and simple - I will do all I can for my baby while I'm carrying him/her there'll be lot less stress and excuses!!!

It's only 9 months after all - weigh that against a lifetime! We are quick to judge drug addicts and alcoholics yet I read way too many excuses for smoking!!!!

And I don't think for a moment that those who smoke love their children less.

Becca - posted on 07/13/2010

My motivation was my fiancee actually married me a couple months ago. I wasn't a heavy smoker before I found out i was prego, and I only would smoke on rough days after I found out, but he really was against it, and when he said "we are going to get married next week" (After 12 years of being together) I said OK I guess If you will marry me, I will quit for you and Parker. I know this isn't an option for many of you, but it's what worked for me! Good Luck!!

Anielle - posted on 07/12/2010

I'm sorry you are going through this. I just had my son 4 months ago and I smoked. I did cut back from a pack and a half a day to about 5-6 cigarettes a day. I couldn't seem to quit. For years I always said I would quit when I became pregnant, well I became pregnant and I couldn't quit. My son was a normal weight at birth and so far he has been very healthy. I know many mothers who smoked when they were pregnant (not saying it's right) but all of their kids are fine. I did try to quit about 2 weeks ago, but I slipped up again. I tried the patches, but in my opinion they don't work. Also, a doctor won't want you to try the patch being pregnant. There hasn't been enough studies on it.

Ashley - posted on 07/12/2010

Eh I would check with your dr before using an electronic cigarette or any sort of gum or patches. I was told those are BIG no-nos lol

Ashley - posted on 07/12/2010

I havent been able to stop smoking either. I have tried several times but then i get stressed and upset. Every smoker knows how relaxing a cig is when your upset. I talked to my dr about it though and he told me really smoking is not going to hurt the baby so long as you stay away from (obviously) alcohol, recreational drugs, and take your prenatal vitamins. Also making sure you eat enough good food not junk helps too. All of these things offset the damage smoking does. Also I know several people who smoked while they were pregnant and their babies are prefectly fine. I havent had my baby yet but im due the 10th of august so im close. The only thing that smoking may have done to my baby is make him smaller. He is by no means too small or anything. He just wont be a 8 or 9 pound child which is excellent for my because I am a very small person. I was 99 pounds before I got pregnant. You can try to cut down. Of course that will help. But if you find that you can't quit smoking then thats okay. Dont stress or feel guilty about it. Also do not let what other people say get to you, especially people who have never touched a cig in their life. They have no idea about anything. :) Good luck though.

Nadine - posted on 07/11/2010

Well, because of the risks involved, my husband switched to a vapor cigarette, so I wouldn't be subject to second hand smoke. I'm not quite sure if they're better for you or not, but they have different flavors and you can use them anywhere (bars, restaurants, airports, etc.), because they do not emit smoke. Maybe it's something to look into? Good luck, hun...

Jaimie - posted on 07/11/2010

i quit smoking the day i got the positive tested... but everyone needs to understand that every pregnancy is different and so is every woman... and i have been to several appointment with my pregnant friends and even my stepmom where their Dr told them that the stress quitting puts on your body is harder for both of you (these people also smoked alot, i did not) the doctors recommended cutting back...

Claire - posted on 07/11/2010

hi,i am 34 weeks with my first and i also have problems with smoking. my doctor told me to cut down as much as i could as the stress of giving up is also bad for the baby. now i smoke 2 maybe 3 a day which is better than the 20 i was smoking before i found out i was expecting.

Lenica - posted on 07/11/2010

The e-cigarettes are actually more harmful then a real cigartte...I live in South Africa and they say its just as bad...can be even more harmful!

Ashley - posted on 07/11/2010

Have you looked into e-cigarettes?

Michelle - posted on 07/11/2010

I smoked about 30-40 cigs a day till I found out I was pregnant, I immediately cut it down to 10 and let me tell you that was a struggle. Like most here, my doctors are not concerned if I smoke just 5 a day. So what I did was get a spare empty pack and put only 5 in there and I asked my fiancée to hide the rest of the pack, I am short so it was easy on him to find a hiding place lol I told myself that was all I had for the entire day and it did work for me. I also tried the patch around 6 months (I am 8 now) and the baby stopped moving and when she did it was really faint. The doctors told me she was stressing out. Don't worry about anything, u are doing just fine!

PETA - posted on 07/10/2010

I am a mum of 3, another arriving in about 13 weeks.

I tried to stop smoking with all 3. But never did, i did cut down.

All my babies were healthy weight.

My eldest is 13 now, and she is top of her class, my second daughter is 10 yrs and is in the top 10 of her class also. My son 6yrs has just started school and doing fine.

But stressing about it makes things worse.

Good luck, hope you have better luck than me.

Michelle - posted on 07/10/2010

as i said ismoked though all my pregancies the midwife told me also not to stop cold turkey and said the myth of ya baby beening smaller as i had 8 to 13 lb babies i do know plenty ppl that had stopped and there was something wrong with there child and a few that keep smoking and there baby has asthma but asthma could be from dust the smog in air pollen do what you feel is best for you

Billie Jo - posted on 07/10/2010

OMG I know what you mean...I HAD the same prob. I am prego with my 1st BOY. I have always smoked...when I got prego I thought I could quit. I didnt so I called the health dept. and the quit line and in WV they no longer have a quit smoke'n program.I asked my dr for a PATCH....It worked and I olnly need it for 7 days then I was done on my own. I am 23 weeks along and havent smoked in 2 months?? I think I try not to think about it. LOL But I was and still is hard and I hope to stay quit after the baby comes I kno how hard it was and its alot of work. I dont want to throw it all away. But good luck and I def. understand.

Tasha - posted on 07/08/2010

I smoked with both my girls and this one also. My midwife said as long as I'm limiting and not smoking like a pack a day...perfers like 5 a day then it's ok. She said really to stop cold turkey can also have effects on the baby because of the stress it puts on you. I'm working hard on quiting because my 3 yr old is starting to notice me do it and is showing signs of "acting like Mommy and Daddy" They say if you quit before your child is 3 1/2 they wont remember you smoking and have less chance of picking up the habbit. Good luck!

Tina - posted on 07/08/2010

ok, if you really want to stop smoking talk to your doctor, they can offer a lot of help or recommend some programs and such to help you quit.
My personal advice.. stay positive.. don't dwell on "I need to quit.. blah blah blah" start saying things like "when I quit smoking I will be so happy....." definitely start with cutting back.. make it harder for yourself.. designate only certain times of day and certain places you allow yourself a cigarette. Think about how much healthier you and your baby will be.
Think about each time you smoke a cigarette you are making a choice, and you have the opportunity to choose not to smoke.
I know its hard.. I was a smoker and I quit myself.. its never easy but if you truely want to then you can do it :) good luck

Vanessa - posted on 07/08/2010

Stop worrying about it for starters cos you will only smoke more. The more I worried about what smoking was doing to my unborn the more I stressed and reached for the cigs. It helped rationing myself to only one cig per hour and then pushing it out to a two hour break. Everyone tells you to quit but my dr told me yes it's bloody hard to quit and even worse while your pregnant and all hormonal and quitting becomes even harder. Don't try and do it all take one day at a time set yourself small goals like today I will smoke 1 less than yesterday and so on if you work yourself up you will stress your baby. I smoked the whole way thru my pregnancy and my big healthy 8lb 4oz bub is now 3 mths old and weighs over 6 kgs and I am still smoking. I am human I am not perfect and I'm not gonna beat myself up over the imperfections that others like to judge me with, everyday I just try to be the best person I can be, and that is all any of us can do. I want you to go and look at yourself in the mirror and tell your reflection I am a good person and I am trying. Big teddy bear hugs, keep your chin up! x

Ivana - posted on 07/08/2010

Hi Lenica!!!


I smoked 30-40 cigarettes a day and stopped within 3-4 days after finding out I was pregnant with both my pregnancies.

I asume you really wanted this baby and want to give the little one the best head start. My 6 year old is healthy but has concentration problems - I would've felt so guilty if I smoked because smoking could've caused it. Smaller birth weight, more prone to ear infections, colds astmas etc. the list of problems that smoking in pregnancy can cause is endless.

This is the time to think of your baby first. Often when people stop smoking they eat more - YOU CAN!!!! If your starter weight was normal you can gain 13-15kg and it's ok!

My fiancee tried (and promised) to stop with me but couldn't manage. But we don't allow smoking in the car or house. I still miss the cigarettes and will most probably start once my little one is born, but for now not smoking is the least I can do for him. And I really believe you can do it too. Just get your priorities straight and you'll be just fine!!!

Good luck! I hope I didn't sound too harsh and this will help!!!!!

Lenica - posted on 07/08/2010

I know all this things... I know it can harm my baby and her little heart but for some reason I just cant stop!

Marissa - posted on 07/07/2010

i quit cold turkey as soon as i found out that smoking for 5 mins causes you babies heart rate to drop to 2 beats a minute
i didnt even think of smoking as a option, i didnt want to hurt my little baby ....

maybe this fact willl also help you

Samantha - posted on 07/07/2010

i quit cold turkey. plus my fiancé hated me smoking and would destroy my cigarettes when he found them. instead of hiding it,i just gave up. i wasn't pregnant at the time though, so i didn't have that added stress. good luck.

Brandi - posted on 07/07/2010

Lenica, you are not alone. I stopped smoking (due to they suddenly tasted horrible) two days after I found out I was pregnant. For a month, I didn't smoke but then suddenly that nasty taste was gone and the craving started back up full force. The strange thing is, most doctors will actually tell you that if you can't beat the habit to just cut back. If trying to quit stresses you out, guess who else is getting the stress? My doctor told me that the stress of quitting can do more harm to the baby than cutting back.

Diane - posted on 07/06/2010

Hi!
I had the same problem. I didn't fully quit smoking til i was 22 weeks pregnant. I had such a hard time, my grandmother just died and I was very stressed out. I started in a program that anyone can easily do on their own :) Try to cut back (eventually quit) and you will notice that you are not spending as much money. Say you smoke a pack a day.. try and cut down to half a pack a day, an when you do that you will notice a couple extra dollars. Put those dollars in a piggy bank or something and everytime you reach a goal to cut back or even quit, take that money an go spoil yourself! Go see a movie or have your hair done. Something nice. Its worth a try.

Krissie - posted on 07/06/2010

my boyfriends sister smoked with her first two and they seem very healthy.but im having my first dec 12th and stopped smoking for my baby, it really is hard though. thinking about having my child with a cig in his/her mouth is what pushes me not to.

Ashleigh - posted on 07/06/2010

Check into the health depts in your area, sometimes they have quiting support and you could talk to your dr about using patches or lozenges. Good luck!

Jessica - posted on 07/06/2010

Have you tried the tobacco quit line? I believe its 1-800-quit now. You might do an internet search and see if your state has its own. I quit with my 1st baby and started again, then quit for good & then I didnt need to worry about it with my next 2. Good luck & dont give up! You can do it!

Michelle - posted on 07/05/2010

hi i have 6 healthy girls and are pregnant again i tried to stop with all them and couldnt i tried with this one im 15 and a bit weeks and still cant so try not to worry to much i know drs say quit but there is worst things out there that can harm ya baby off foods etc im hoping on giving up after i have this baby while im in hosp

Samantha - posted on 07/05/2010

Im sorry i have the same problem i tried to quit but wasnt working out so well. Okay this may sound totally crazy but i wouldnt worry about it. I know plenty of people who smoked through out their whole pregnancy and there child is really healthy. Maybe just try to cut down a little. I guess its a good thing i usually dont get a whole cig cause i make my hubby share one with me so i wont smoke the whole thing. But choose whatever you feel is better for you and your child. doctors also say do not quit after smoking during part of your pregnancy because it can put baby in stress mode i guess kinda how you would feel when you need a cigarette. well good luck :]