Pregnant and smoking....What's your opinion?????

Clarisse - posted on 02/04/2009

Smoking for me was a part of my life. I was addicted and I smoke as soon as I wake up in the morning, before I go to sleep, when I'm stressed, bored, even when I go to the toilet and I couldn't go without it. When I found out I was pregnant I went cold turkey right away. I avoided smokers and even confronted someone who kept smoking even after being told not to. It was easy for me because I didn't let myself make up petty excuses. "If there's a will there's a way!"

Sara - posted on 02/04/2009

Quoting Betsy:

Quoting Jessica:

Quoting Sara:

No excuse for it...if you can't put the needs of your unborn child before yourself, then maybe you should rethink whether you are ready for motherhood or not. In my opinion, you owe it to your baby to give them the best start possible, and that means no smoking, no drinking, no drugs.

First of all, who are you to tell people they should rethink being a mother?  Yes I am not one of those parents who tried getting pregnant for a year and did everything to get healthy before hand, I got pregnant on my birthcontrol completely not planned. But dont sit here and say rethink parenthood. Are you perfect? Did you get rid of every unhealthy cleaning product in your house when you clean since your breathing it in when you clean. Did you dye your hair when you were pregnant or paint the nursery. Where you in a perfectly stable condition in your home. Dont sit here and tell people to rethink what they want to do! There is not a day that went by in my pregnancy that I didnt try to quit!! This is not something I wanted to bring up but I was addicted to drugs for 5 years!!! I did get clean but after a numerous amounts of tries!! Just like every addiciton it is not easy!!!!!! Are you going to tell me I shouldn't have a kid cause of my past mistakes???? I am a fantastic mother. My child is healthy and I have not thought about using a drug in 4 years!! So take it from me having a 6-8 a day habit of oxycontin to quitting that smoking is harder then quitting drugs! So if a doctor tells me what is best for me and MY CHILD then I will listen to him then all the people on here who think they are Doctors. I know that smoking while you are pregnant is not healthy but no one sit here and say dont use this excuse its hard or any of those. I give the poeple who qui when they got pregnant credit! But no 2 people are alike! I am sick of ll these people on here saying all this incorrect information that your child stops breathing and there i.q. and what not. Another thing I dont get is the person who started this, why did you?? Do you want people sitting here arquing? Since you said yourself your a non smoker but wanted to hear peoples thoughts. This is  very touchy subject to me. I cried almost everyday cause I was trying to hard to quit!! I went from 2 packs a day to 4 CIGARETTES A DAY! I cut down as much as I could! NO ONE tell me or anyone else they didnt try! Or they are unfit parents cause I would put money on it that all you people who are traching all the smokers that you are doing something that is bad for your child or unfit and wrong. Do your swear infront of your children. Fight with husbands. Bad examples... I am sure NONE of you are perfect. How bout everyone just keeps there comments to urself. You do whats right for you and we will do what is right for us! NEVER call me a BAD PARENT or tell me to rethink having a child!! Who do you think you are telling people that!

Excellent post Jessica. While I don't support smoking while pg, I find some moms making comments like this asinine.  First, I won't rethink my readiness for motherhood, as I have had and raised children for 20 yrs now lol. With that experience also comes the knowledge that these moms pick what doesn't apply to them and make attacking comments to improve their own self-worth, but if we looked into their households, we would find many things that might give others to question their readiness for parenthood. Do they exercise daily and eat a heart healthy diet so they will be heathy enough to raise their children and set a good example for their children to have healthy heart habits? Do they argue with their spouse in a healthy way not to emotionally damage the child and to teach the child how to have healthy relationships in their adulthood? Do they have a stable home where respect of others is ALWAYS taught? Are they responsible financially so they have a nest egg to provide a stable environment in case of unforseen circumstances, teaching their children esential money management habits they will need in their lives? Did you eat tuna while pregnant? Did you use cleaning goods while pregnant? Did you eat deli meat while pregnant? Most importantly, do you take full stock in the reality and flaws in your own life before judging and being negative towards others in order to set a good example to the children you are the role model for and teaching how to treat and respect others?  Start there. I guarantee you have more work to do looking in the mirror that is more pressing than what your neighbor is doing.  By the time you correct your own parenting flaws, you won't have the time to worry about everyone else!

Actually, I DiD NOT eat deli meat, paint my daughter's room, use chemicals, drink caffeine, dye my hair or drink or do drugs durning my pregnancy.  Come on, there is no viable argument for smoking while pregnant...the anger you guys are displaying towards these comments is just displaced anger at yourselves because you know you shouldn't have smoked while pregnant.  And yes, I have a right to that opinion because smoking is a public health issue and when all of you guys have lung cancer and emphysema and can't pay your medical bills for treatment so you depend on medicaid/medicare, I'm going to be footing the bill for it.  So it does have something to do with me.  Even if you did smoke when pregnant, why do you continue to do so?  Don't you want to see your children grow up, see your grandchildren?  Smoking is the single most harmful thing you can do to your body and if you really want to quit, you can.   

Ashley - posted on 02/04/2009

Quoting Magdalena:

What are you talking about?? NO ONE SAID WE ARE PERFECT!! please read carefully, we are talking abut what cigarettes do to kids and us adults!! and ofcourese we are not perfect, ofcourse we made mistakes in our lives...we are talking about the risks, no one is telling the smoking pregnent moms they are not good moms or worse than anyone else, we are simply talking about cigarettes and how bad they are for you and for the baby, but it is every moms choice what they do, now is that ok with you???? no one is putting anyone down as a person, we don't know each other just having a normal conversation and opinion about smoking.

actually maybe u should go back and read all of the posts. People have said some pretty ignorant things about mothers who smoke.  They have said that we are bad, unfit, abusive, neglectful, stupid, weak, losers, selfish and many more names have been used to describe us. How do you think that makes us feel?...i beleive someone else has said more or less that smoking while pregnant is like sexually assaulting your child. Thats disgusting and cant beleive someone would compare the two. So you want to sit there and say that it's people's opinions?..it's not it's people being mean towards us about it. You dont comment on someones parenting unless you have seen what they are like with their children..and that's MY OPINION!!!!.....

Tanya - posted on 02/04/2009

Quoting Jennifer:

What bothers me the most about the comments here is this:

People who don't smoke / never smoked have strong OPINIONS on this subject.  As well they should.  Your views on how you live your life are your own -your values are the ones you pass on to your children.

The people who have had EXPERIENCE with this issue are commenting on their physical issues with smoking.  EXPERIENCE, not opinion.   I have yet to see anyone that smokes say that it was the RIGHT thing to do.  I don't see any of them standing outside the maternity ward handing out cartons of Marlboro.  Do you?  No- I didn't think so.

Problem here is that instead of LEARNING something from the people with EXPERIENCE - you would rather live by opinion alone and lambaste them for being 'bad parents'.  Grow up.

It's hard enough for people to share their experiences with people that have never had to deal with the same problem.  If seeing the stories of the people in the thread that have actually had to deal with smoking - ( the ones that have tried to quit - the ones that have cut down- ALL the posts that have said that it's not the best thing to do, but it happened) - if ANY of those stories help someone to know that as long as they try again and again to stop- then what right do you have to verbally torture them for having the BALLS to be honest here.

Honesty is what we're supposed to share.  Insults and verbal beratement don't help anyone at all.  You're acting like the children you're trying so desperately to raise.  Grow up.  Help people - understand their needs, fears and help where you can.  Share your experiences, share your opinions - but try to do it in such a way that you're not torturing the 'invisible' person on the other side of the monitor - just because they had enough nerve to be HONEST about their lives.

Remember the old saying:  ....if you can't say anything nice......

you all know the rest.

 

Thank you Jennifer!

Tanya - posted on 02/04/2009

Quoting Sonya:

I agree, this is definately one of those questions that just gets people attacking others,.

Everyone is different and some can kick it and some cant, I believe very strongly that unless we have lived another persons life we have NO right to judge them.

I smoked during my fisrt pregnancy and regret it now, you see i did try and quit but suffered from extreme migranes, i could hardly move and my doctor DID advise me to just cut down rather than quit completley and thats not just a made up excuse, i was young and very naive, but like i said i do regret it very much now, i was lucky, he was an 8lb very healthy baby, he is now 9 years old and extremley bright, top of his classes and i am gratefull for that.....i have had 2 more babys since then and didnt smoke through either of them, infact i gave up as soon as i planned to have the second baby so i wouldnt have to stress about it at the time.

people please stop attacking others, that makes you just generaly not nice people to do that

Hello everyone!

I agree with Sonya regarding the attacks. Like I mentioned earlier, it's a very touchy subject and we all have to be respectful with our choice of words. Sonyo (along with other mom's) were kind enough to share their experiences and stories with smoking during pregnancy. That's takes courage to expose yourself for the sake of helping another person! Thank you! My intention was to find out how to help my friend (first time mom) with her choice. I don't agree with smoking at all but I do want to be supportive towards my friend. I'm trying to find a balance to help her and her baby without pressuring her through guilt. Thanks to everyone for your views! It's been very enlightening! :)

~Jennifer - posted on 02/04/2009

What bothers me the most about the comments here is this:

People who don't smoke / never smoked have strong OPINIONS on this subject.  As well they should.  Your views on how you live your life are your own -your values are the ones you pass on to your children.

The people who have had EXPERIENCE with this issue are commenting on their physical issues with smoking.  EXPERIENCE, not opinion.   I have yet to see anyone that smokes say that it was the RIGHT thing to do.  I don't see any of them standing outside the maternity ward handing out cartons of Marlboro.  Do you?  No- I didn't think so.

Problem here is that instead of LEARNING something from the people with EXPERIENCE - you would rather live by opinion alone and lambaste them for being 'bad parents'.  Grow up.

It's hard enough for people to share their experiences with people that have never had to deal with the same problem.  If seeing the stories of the people in the thread that have actually had to deal with smoking - ( the ones that have tried to quit - the ones that have cut down- ALL the posts that have said that it's not the best thing to do, but it happened) - if ANY of those stories help someone to know that as long as they try again and again to stop- then what right do you have to verbally torture them for having the BALLS to be honest here.

Honesty is what we're supposed to share.  Insults and verbal beratement don't help anyone at all.  You're acting like the children you're trying so desperately to raise.  Grow up.  Help people - understand their needs, fears and help where you can.  Share your experiences, share your opinions - but try to do it in such a way that you're not torturing the 'invisible' person on the other side of the monitor - just because they had enough nerve to be HONEST about their lives.

Remember the old saying:  ....if you can't say anything nice......

you all know the rest.

Alison - posted on 02/04/2009

wrong wrong wrong on so many levels, give your baby a fighting chance, life is hard enough without starting off with disadvantages

Kelly - posted on 02/04/2009

That's funny you say that!!! I smoked during my pregnancy and I have a kindergartener (5yrs old) that is in a 4th grade math class. His IQ is in the above average range 119 to be exact. Although I don't support smoking while pregnant I don't judge people that do.  

 

 

Quoting Candy:

Smoking during pregnancy has been shown to lower not only the baby's birth weight, but its IQ.  So ladies, if you want a slow learner, just keep lighting up...

My partner (not the father of my child) has been off the fags cold turkey for about two and a half months now, bless him.  No patches, no gum, no cutting back- true cold turkey from a pack a day, because he decided that life was good and dying was not (he's 55). It didn't cause him any physical harm to just stop after 30 years' of heavy smoking (he smoked cowboy killers, ie full strength Marlboro red), so I am very suspicious of the view that quitting might cause the baby to abort- sounds like a cop out excuse to me.

It can be done but you have to WANT to stop.

Stephanie - posted on 02/04/2009

It is disgusting and selfish to continue to smoke while carring an inocent life!!!  that is all i have to say about it

Samantha - posted on 02/04/2009

well,i am sorry to say guys,that u r going to hate me!i smoked from the age of 12,when i found out i was pregnant with my first when i was 21,i gave up smoking at 3 months,i literally went cold turkey as my mother in-law had a heart attack and went into a coma and died during my pregnancy.i didnt pick up a cigerette for almost 3 years,until i was 2 months pregnant with this 1.i feel really bad,but do not smoke that much.it is not because i am selfish.i had a miscarriage 2 weeks before i fell pregnant with this 1,and to add to that,my partner put me through the stress of saying he wasnt sure he loved me anymore after 6 years together,and then i found out he had slept with someone else 3 times.i didnt know how to cope with the stress and really felt like drinking myself into oblivion.but i turned to cigerettes instead.i will give up,but as my midwife said,smoking a few will not seriously harm my baby,so i shouldnt go cold turkey,and to give up again when i am ready.so,we r not all bad people,and although i would really love to stop smoking again,i just dont feel ready at the moment.

Ashley - posted on 02/04/2009

Quoting Kelly:

I drank a fifth of vodka while I was pregnant and smoked Meth, does that make me a good mom???

I didn't think so!! I would call you selfish.... I guess. Sorry its my opinion!

WOW how can u even compare meth and alcohol to cigarettes??....i think you should do a little bit more research of your own there Kelly!!!.....do u know what FAS does to children??..have u ever seen a child with FAS???????....obviously not..i have and it's not a nice sight......a child who's mother smokes during pregnancy isnt born with the birth defects that a mother that drinks and does crystal meth. and when we talk about smoking during pregnancy we arent talking about 4 packs of cigarettes a day here. I am currently pregnant and i tried to quit cold turkey...i was suffering so bad with it that i couldnt even take care of my son. I had to lie in bed because i was suffereing from severe migranes. I had such bad pains in my stomach i thought i was losing the baby..no it was WITHDRAWALS!!...do u know what that's like?..have u ever been addicted to something??....you obviously havent because then you dont know what it's like to go through it. How dare you say that we arent good mothers..do u know me?...are u around my son and i everyday?...are you?..DIDNT THINK SO!!!!!!!!!!!!. so until you are and until you see how good of a mother i am mind your own gd business and dont judge us. you have no right saying what kind of people we are. i am not a selfish mother. i put my son before myself. ifi have 10 dollars left and he needs food and i need smokes what do u think i'm gonna spend it on??....HIM..not myself. my mother smoked when we were young and she's the best mother i could ever ask for. she puts us before herself.  i have been told by many nurses drs and pediatricians that i'm a wonderful mother and to keep doing what i do with my son. are u any of those???....once again didnt think so. were u there when my son was in the hospital for 2 months fighting for his life because of a severe brain infection??...did you see how my husband and i didnt leave his side the whole two months he was in the hospital???...were you one of the nurses or drs at the hospital that saw us everyday??...once again I DIDNT THINK SO. my son is VERY WELL taken care of and i dont appreciate you or anyone else telling me thati'm an unfit mother because i have 1 cigarette a day.as a matter of fact we were told when he was in the hospital that the 1 cigarette i smoke a day..wouldnt have harmed him while i was pregnant. you can argue that all you want but until you've gone to university for yrs to become a dr then dont argue it because in other words you have no clue what the hell you are talking about.  i am not a bad mother and dont you or anyone else ever say otherwise. mind our own god damn business every single one of you. what we do does not concern any of you!...stop driving your cars and start walking because you know what??..you are polluting the air your children breath. the ozone layer has a huge whole in it and you contributed to that. what's that doing to our children??..ohhhhh shit better call CAS on you guys and have your children taken away because you polluted the air that they breath. read up on what health problems pollution causes. we arent saying that smoking during pregnancy is great and wonderful. what we are trying to say is that we are ashamed of it but sometimes it's not easy. for some ppl it's easier than others. so quit judging us. dont tell me you or anyone else on here is a perfect mother because guess what?!?...there's no such thing!!!.....nobody  is perfect and now that is a very well known fact!!!!!!!!!!!........quit attacking us and let us live our lives!!.....my child doesnt concern you so focus on your own children and worry about them!!!!!!.......

Janene - posted on 02/04/2009

I say no way. The baby doesn't have a choice and that's not right. No smoking while being pregnant or around little ones.

Shana - posted on 02/04/2009

Quoting Adrienne:

I happen to know that smoking during a pregnancy will give you a colic baby... if you want a happy baby.. butt out!

I smoked almost 2 packs a day when I found out I was pregnant and my doctor advised against quitting because of the risk of miscarriage. I cut down to a quarter pack a day and my daughter was born a healthy 7lbs. 8oz. She was an amazingly easy baby. She slept through the night at 3 months and never even came close to being colicky. 

I have a friend who quit smoking the moment she found out she was pregnant and her daughter was very colicky for at least a year so your theory is wrong Adrienne.

Also my mom smoked through her first 3 pregnancies and we were all fine. She quit for her last one and he was her smallest baby, he has allergies and asthma and he had problems with anemia when he was a kid.

I'm just not convinced that it's as bad as they want you to think. Sure it's not great but I think the majority of babies who are born to smokers are just fine.

Jen - posted on 02/04/2009

I, personally, am a non-smoker, but here is my take on the issue...



I keep reading the word "choice". I don't think that smoking is a choice at this point. Research has shown all kinds of increased risks for babies of smokers (risks, not definites). That being said, I don't think that anyone would purposely increase their baby's risk factors and if it was easy to quit, then I think almost everyone would. (I watched both my father and my husband struggle with quitting).



The not quitting cold turkey argument makes sense to me. That it would be easier on the baby to cut back and slowly ween off the cigarrettes. (after all, we wouldn't suddenly switch from formula to solid food - we would do it slowly to let the babys system adjust).



Canada is moving in the right direction. I don't have to expose my baby to smoke if I don't want to as its now illegal to smoke in public buildings, anywhere that serves food and most recently in a car with a child.

Margo - posted on 02/04/2009

Well it is shown to cause low birth weight, asthma,  and most children who have a parent that smoke will end up smoking not to mention the fact she wont be around to watch her children grow as she will suffer from lung cancer and emphzema. I guess giving up smoking is not important enough for her. Personally i dont think she should be a parent. Your children come first , no exceptions.  Instead of rejoicing that fact that she is giving life,she is in fact dangering her unborn child and her self.  Its disgusting.

Jodi - posted on 02/04/2009

I understand that addictions are difficult to overcome. Most of the members in my family smoke as did I in the past. BUT when you become a parent your needs should come second. Quit before trying to become pregnant.  If the pregnancy is unexpected do your best to give your baby  a healthy start! If quiting cold turkey  is  too stressful, cut back gradually until you quit completely. Babies need their mommies to protect them inside and outside the womb. 

Julie - posted on 02/04/2009

Seriously! Why is this even a question? How ignorant of those who do this! I'm completely disgusted with those who would put their child at risk of so many health problems. Smoking is a disgusting, unhealthy & expensive habit!

HEATHER - posted on 02/04/2009

PREGNANT AND SMOKING I FEEL AND THIS IS JUST MY OPINION VERY BAD IDEA I HAVE A FRIEND AND SHE SNUCK AND SMOKED HER WHOLE ENTIRE PREGNANCY AND NOW HER DAUGHTER IS 3 YEARS OLD AND HAS THE WORSE CASE OF ASTHMA SINCE SHE WAS A NEW BORN IF U HAVE A HABIT I FEEL YOUR UNBORN CHILD IS WELL WORTH YOU HOLDING OFF UNTIL YOU HAVE THE BABY IN THE END IT IS WELL WORTH IT! DONT BE SELFISH LOVE YOURSELF AND LOVE YOUR CHILD AND THIS IS COMING FROM A SMOKER!

Tiffany - posted on 02/04/2009

Are you kidding? I dont understand how you could do that to your child knowing it is harming them. you just wonder what type of parent they will be if they can't stop to help their child grow strong and healthy.

Kelly - posted on 02/04/2009

People keep saying "I smoked with all 3 my kids and they turned out fine" FOR NOW!!!! Who is to say they won't develop lung problems for what YOU did to them, then you sit here and have NO problem Justifying it as OK.

Stop acting like its OK!!! Any new mom out there that is PG DO NOT SMOKE!!!!! The risks are WAY too serious!!!

Randi - posted on 02/04/2009

I feel that as long as you are not smoking any more than 10 ciggs it is ok. When I was prego my doc told me to not quit cold turkey cuz it could hurt the baby by putting the baby in shock. I went down to 5 ciggs a day which is way better than the 1 1/2 packs a day that I smoked b4 being prego. I feel thats its your own choice..Either way people will never leave it alone.

Jackie - posted on 02/04/2009

WRONG!!! Second hand smoke is bad enough, let alone first hand. Give you and your baby a break. You may find that you won't go back in 9 months.

Shalyn - posted on 02/04/2009

I think it is totally wrong!  I have never smoked in my life, but I jsut think it is selfish if you can't give it up for a sweet innocent baby growing inside of you.  Just my 2 cents!

Candy - posted on 02/04/2009

Hi Sarah- perhaps I should have phrased that slightly differently because I certainly didn't mean that all children of smokers have a low IQ- that is a statistical result from medical studies (and for you doubting Thomases, yes I was married to a doctor when pregnant so I have this stuff first hand!!), so there's a whole range of reponses within  that study, but it did show that the chances of a low IQ are greater.  What I was trying to point out is that SIDS and low birth weight are not the only risks you're taking if you choose to smoke while pregnant. It's Russian roulette, and if you've been lucky- well, at least acknowledge that it's luck rather than good management.

Nor did I mean to imply that quitting is easy.  Nicotine is more addictive than heroin.  Smoking becomes tangled around one's entire day- the fag when you wake, the fag when you talk on the phone or have coffee or a drink, the fag with friends at breaks, and so on- and it's legal so freely available.  Of course quitting's not easy; it requires commitment and support at the very least- but it's an important and worthwhile goal.

Joy - posted on 02/04/2009

NO! NO! NO! I wouldn't do anything to my baby that I thought would harm him/her, and smoking definitely can!!

Vicky - posted on 02/04/2009

Quoting Melissa:

I don't think it's a coincidence that most of the "I-smoked-while-pregnant" responses are inundated with typos, misspellings, and poor grammar. In the United States, smokers tend to be much less educated, have lower economic status, and a more traumatic family history than non-smokers.

That said, I think it is tremendously selfish and irresponsible to continue smoking while you are pregnant. It isn't hard not to smoke if you don't have any cigarettes available. DON'T BUY THEM. Do I think smoking while pregnant makes you a bad mother? YES! Do I think smoking while around your babies and grown children makes you a bad mother? ABSOLUTELY!

If you love your child, seek help for your addiction. Take responsibility for your habit and fight the temptation of what feels good in the moment and think about the health of your unborn child. You are part of the big problem facing this nation. We are becoming an uneducated nation of self-gratifying greedy people who put their own interests first and their children's second. Then people blame their neglect and irresponsibility on other things or people. What a shame.

Dont know about the US but in the UK, misspelling a word could be because that person isnt very good a typing. You're now judging smokers in a different light. WHo do you think YOU are, little miss perfect??? I did smoke through my pregnancy and i tried extremely hard every day of it to stop. I had numerous consultations with my doctor AND my midwife who BOTH adviced me to cut down rather than quit cold turkey. I now have a happy, healthy 7month old son who is learning everything really quickly!!

So you think i'm a bad mother?? Do you know me AT ALL?? NO. Do you know how much love and attention i give my son on a daily basis?? Again NO

I love my son with every inch of my body, heart and soul so dont EVER tell me that i'm a bad mother for smoking whilst pregnant!!!

Susanna - posted on 02/04/2009

i av been smokin 4 18 yrs and gave up for both my other babys but this time round i only managed to give up fpr 3 months, i am 6 months pregnant now and i av ad a very stressful pregnancy ! i used to be on anti depresants and propronol chill pills for anxiety but the day i found out i gave the pills up, i was advised by my midwife tht if smokin kept me from gettin stressed out then the odd fag wont hurt, stress would do the baby more harm so im still smokin now despite the fact i hate it ! but it does keep my stress levels down

Susanna - posted on 02/04/2009

i av been smokin 4 18 yrs and gave up for both my other babys but this time round i only managed to give up fpr 3 months, i am 6 months pregnant now and i av ad a very stressful pregnancy ! i used to be on anti depresants and propronol chill pills for anxiety but the day i found out i gave the pills up, i was advised by my midwife tht if smokin kept me from gettin stressed out then the odd fag wont hurt, stress would do the baby more harm so im still smokin now despite the fact i hate it ! but it does keep my stress levels down

Susanna - posted on 02/04/2009

i av been smokin 4 18 yrs and gave up for both my other babys but this time round i only managed to give up fpr 3 months, i am 6 months pregnant now and i av ad a very stressful pregnancy ! i used to be on anti depresants and propronol chill pills for anxiety but the day i found out i gave the pills up, i was advised by my midwife tht if smokin kept me from gettin stressed out then the odd fag wont hurt, stress would do the baby more harm so im still smokin now despite the fact i hate it ! but it does keep my stress levels down

Emma - posted on 02/04/2009

Have not read the whole thread, but I tend to think that it's the choice of the mother, and if she knows the risks, then has to deal with the consequence. I do think that topics like this are judgmental and boring, and although everyone is entitled to an opinion, I do find the whole attitude of hardline anti-smokers intimidating. One does not know the circumstances that a particular woman finds herself in, so to comment on one aspect of her life is pretty shallow. By this I mean what if that woman was a heroin addict prior to getting pregnant? Say she managed to come off the smack but carried on smoking? I would say she has already made a positive step so to beat her around the head later with an anti-smoking rant is such self righteous twaddle.What if that woman has just kicked an alcohol habit, but uses smoking as a substitute? Its still less harmful. What if she is in an abusive relationship or has other social/emotional worries? Pregnancy, childbirth and having a new baby is stressful enough without strangers who know nothing about you casting a judgemental eye over everything you do. Like all of a sudden the contents of my uterus becomes public property.

The way I see it, is that it's not your baby or your pregnancy so butt out.  (no pun intended)

People will continue to rage about this debate ad infinitum. Personally, I think there are worse things you can do to a child than having the occasional fag.

Also, for the record, my mother smoked 60 fags a day when pregnant with me. I was a healthy birthweight, have no allergies, and was brought up to be very intelligent, outgoing, sensitive and was a very much loved child.

Denise - posted on 02/04/2009

to me that is her choice,i smoked and my 2 boy's are fine

Denise - posted on 02/04/2009

to me that is her choice,i smoked and my 2 boy's are fine

Kathleen - posted on 02/04/2009

hi i have 3 children and i smoked with them while i was pregnant and they turned out fine i know the dangers about smoking while you are pregnant but thte thing is as a person who doesn't smoke i think you are being a bit judgemental

Emma - posted on 02/04/2009

hi. i smoked in two of my pregnancy. i wished i never, but first was born at 28 weeks and she was 2lb. my second was 36 weeks at 5lb 1oz. when i got pregnant with my 3rd i gave up. i had him 2 weeks early as he was the wrong way round but when he was born he was 8lb 11oz.. i was like wow, so not smoking when ur pregnant does make a big difference.

Belinda - posted on 02/04/2009

Quoting Tanya:

Pregnant and smoking....What's your opinion?????

Hi Ladies!
Well...here's a very touchy subject for most people.
What's your opinion on smoking while pregnant? I know of one pregnant woman who continues to smoke though she's four months pregnant. I'm a nonsmoker myself and I've very opinionated on this topic. What's your view??

I think woman should give up for the there baby sake what is 9 months of there time, maybe by the end of there pregnant they may not want to smoke, if you countine your risking your babies health.

Elena - posted on 02/04/2009

Quoting Kelly:

WHY would ANYONE put their baby at risk, KNOWING the possible side effects? I don't care, there is NO justification for it!! Its bad parenting!

A G R E E !!!!

Elena - posted on 02/04/2009

hello every one! to me smoking in pregnancy is just wrong but i can understand that sometimes, i have always been a smoker, it's hard to quit. as for me, as soon as i found out i was pregnant i stopped smoking, even though it was really hard..but when i saw the first scan picture it was all worth it!!

but some people are ignorant and smoke during pregnancy cus they don't know any better: for example someone i know said she smoked during all of her pregnancies cus she cudnt see how the smoke that goes in the lungs, cud harm a baby that is in the belly....

Sharon - posted on 02/04/2009

Causes of Spontaneous Abortion

Other complications that may cause miscarriage include infections, trauma and certain systemic diseases, including diabetes and antiphospholipid syndrome (APS). Women with anatomical abnormalities such as uterine fibroids are at a higher risk of spontaneous abortion.

Some causes of miscarriage during pregnancy can be avoided. The risk of a miscarriage is heightened by smoking, drug abuse or alcohol abuse during pregnancy. Avoiding these substances reduces the risk of spontaneous abortion. Exercise and sexual intercourse do not cause spontaneous abortion.

Suzie - posted on 02/03/2009

Quoting Erin:

I think people who smoke are digusting.  It's just as bad as abusing your child OUTSIDE of the womb, in my opinion.  Those people should be arrested!

You honestly think that a mother that smokes while pregnant is just as bad as a child molestor, or someone that beats their kids? That is probably one of the most asinine things that I have ever heard in my life. I feel sorry for you for being so closed minded. Have you ever heard of tolerance of others? All sins are not equal!!!

Jessica - posted on 02/03/2009

Well I really didn't want to get wrapped up in this mess but I do want to put my perspective out there.  I smoked for a couple of years and decided to quit.  Yes it was very difficult and yes it took all of my willpower to do it.  Then my husband and I decided to try to have a baby, I ate well and exercised and diligently took my prenatal vitamin each day.  I wanted to have a healthy happy normal chunky little baby.  Despite my efforts my daughter was born 4 months early (due to HELLP syndrome) and weighed less than a pound, she could fit in the palm of your hand. 

Having a preemie sometimes means watching your baby breathing with the assistance of a ventilator, fighting for their life every day.  I lived the NICU hell for six months.  Each day that I went to the hospital I hoped that she would be a little stronger that day and we'd be closer to holding her in our arms and taking her home.  Imagine the horror of pulling up in front of the hospital to visit your infant who is in intensive care and seeing a large pregnant woman puffing down a cigarette. 

Yes everyone is different, we make different choices but do not lie to yourself and say that you know that smoking while pregnant is the right thing to do.  We all have a compass inside that tells us what is right and what is wrong.  I look back on how my daughter came into the world and eventhough I didn't do anything to cause her prematurity, I know that if I had smoked while pregnant with her I would definitely have blamed myself.  And I would not have been able to live with that after seeing all the pain she endured in the hospital.

Emily - posted on 02/03/2009

all i have to say about this is why, why would somone put their child in danger before they're even born.it's selfish and the same thing as drinking while you're pregnant.i hope that smokers can lay off for at least 9months so they can give their baby a good start when it enters the world

Emily - posted on 02/03/2009

all i have to say about this is why, why would somone put their child in danger before they're even born.it's selfish and the same thing as drinking while you're pregnant.i hope that smokers can lay off for at least 9months so they can give their baby a good start when it enters the world

Suzie - posted on 02/03/2009

Here it goes!!! I do not think that it is a good thing to smoke while you are pregnant. I also do not believe that you are a bad mother unfit to raise your children if you do!!! I remember before I had children that I too had a very very strong opinion about this matter. When I found out I was pregnant with my first, I quit that instant. It was soooo easy for me to quit then. Life went on, I had my struggles, and I started smoking again when he was 6 months old. Smoked until I found out I was pregnant with my second. Quit again the minute I found out. Yeah for me!!! I said that I was never going to start again, but then my daughter was born. I was told that there was something wrong with her. Basically they said that she may not be able to control her bodily functions and be wheel chair bound. :( My heart broke into a million pieces. The stress was too much, I couldn't take it anymore!!! I started smoking again. Found out that she was fine, and the tests were wrong. I thank the Lord for that, truly I do!!! But the damage to me had been done. I suffered from depression, which has been an ongoing battle for me since then. I then got pregnant with my third child, and you know what? I couldn't quit. You may think that I just wasn't strong enough, and that may be the case. But to this day I haven't been able to quit. Does anybody here know what it is like to feel guilty everyday of your life? It is the worst, I don't enjoy the reproccutions of my smoking. I love my family more than anything in the world. But still I suffer from depression, and can't quit. I have tried quitting cold turkey, taking prescription medication for it, laser therapy, and I have even tried Hypnotherapy. Believe me, I have tried my damndest to quit and have been unsuccessful.:( Does that make me a bad mom? I don't think so. I teach my children right from wrong,their manners,and to be thankful for everything that they have. We try our hardest to be the best parents in the world, but no one is perfect. That is just a fact of life. I write this not to try to justify myself or my actions ( I don't need anyones judgement placed on me, I have enough of my own. ) I just hope that it will help people realize that they have no idea what someone is going through, unless they have walked in their shoes.

Kim - posted on 02/03/2009

congrats on quitting!

http://orlandosentinel.com/momsatwork

Heather - posted on 02/03/2009

Hey,

When i was pregnant with my child, I smoked and he is perfectly healthy.

I feel that it's sad that all of a sudden people are worring about smoking while pregnant when meanwhile, back in the day, it was no big deal.My mom smoked with me and im perfectly fine and never have had asthma. I supose this issue will never come out with an agreement overall,were all different and were all raised differently.

User - posted on 02/03/2009

well i am a smoker for the last 18 years and i have a 15 year old daughter. the very minute they told me i was pregnant i threw my cigarettes in the garbage and didnt smoke again until after she was about 5 months old.i personally would never smoke while pregnant. i wouldnt want to have to forgive myself for my indulgence if my child were born with a problem that could have been prevented by my NOT smoking.everyone is different...but thats my opinion

User - posted on 02/03/2009

well i am a smoker for the last 18 years and i have a 15 year old daughter. the very minute they told me i was pregnant i threw my cigarettes in the garbage and didnt smoke again until after she was about 5 months old.i personally would never smoke while pregnant. i wouldnt want to have to forgive myself for my indulgence if my child were born with a problem that could have been prevented by my NOT smoking.everyone is different...but thats my opinion

Kylie - posted on 02/03/2009

I think that you should be arrested for being so opinionated .... What sort of person says something like that?????    Quoting Erin:

I think people who smoke are digusting.  It's just as bad as abusing your child OUTSIDE of the womb, in my opinion.  Those people should be arrested!

Tina - posted on 02/03/2009

I stopped smoking for all 3 of my pregnancies, and thankfully do not smoke now.  When i was pregnant  THIS IS NOT ONLY ABOUT U NOW  kept running through my head. I think i even ate healthier then than i ever have in my life lol.

I know it is hard, but it is crucial for the health of our children to not smoke during pregnancy, and also around them after birth.

Kylie - posted on 02/03/2009

I think that you should be arrested for being so opinionated .... What sort of person says something like that?????    Quoting Erin:

I think people who smoke are digusting.  It's just as bad as abusing your child OUTSIDE of the womb, in my opinion.  Those people should be arrested!