Smoking while pregnant?? How do you feel about it?

Alex - posted on 07/15/2012

yeah i had started cutting back down again a little bit but then my best friends died 4 months after he died. it was just a really messed up time in my life. i wrote that before she died. smoke free now though. :)

TOONT - posted on 08/16/2011

i am not the one to judge so i'm not..it was very hard for me to quit smoking yes i was still smoking after i found out i was pregnant but it was nothing heavy still wrong i stopped aht 11 weeks and im now 12 im so happy its been a week i thought about me and my last miscarriage even tho it didnt come from smoking i do not wanna go threw that again and even tho some people smoke during they whole pregnancy and they baby fine its just the fact that we actually are hurting our baby while its inside us smh we suppose to protect our baby not harm it..

Amber - posted on 01/26/2010

ohh well she upped to a pack....

Sharon - posted on 01/10/2010

Wow...that's bad. I know I don't smoke but DH does and the first doctor's appointment he went to with me he was told either to slowly quit for the time I was pregnant or stay away from me for an hour after he's smoked. He did both and now that he's back to smoking he's obeying the stay away from us for an hour rule....helps that his daughter calls him a "stinky" when he comes in from it. I don't know what you can personally do if she doesn't want to listen to others about it....

Rachel - posted on 01/10/2010

cutting off oxygen to your baby, does that sound like something healthy? when you smoke you block oxygen getting to your baby thats FACT, if your willing to be so selfish as to not care about possible risks and malfunctions happening to YOUR child then i feel sorry for that kid. When you become a mother you make a desicion to put your child FIRST not yourself anymore. Smoking is a selfish act anything that happens to that child is a direct effect of what you did and if you are ok with that then may god help you.

Deborah - posted on 01/10/2010

Ok i feel tht if you cannot give tht nasty habit up to give your baby a fighting chance then you don't deserve to be a mom it is a prevledge to be a mom.

Jane - posted on 01/10/2010

I rarely see a very pregnant women smoking but I know they are out there but they hide it. There's a reason they aren't out in public smoking...they know it's bad! Some where deep down they know it can harm their baby & are feeling guilty about it & know they will be judged for doing it. It's no secret that smoking is harmful to an unborn baby & everyone knows it even the women who are preggo & still smoking. It takes some will power & stregth to quit smoking & these preggo women need to find that strength inside themselves to quit doing it @ least until the baby is born.

Claire - posted on 01/10/2010

my sis in law smoked on all 3 ov her pregnanceys and all 3 babies born 2 months prem with asthma and lung problems the 3rd baby the worst, i dont smoke but have had 2 healthy pregnanceys both 2 full ter with 2 healthy children as a result but did go on to ave a 3rd pregnancy which i had problems with but still had an healthy baby due 2 none smoking.

Jodie - posted on 01/10/2010

as soon as i found out i was pregnant i stoped smoking at the drop of a hat infact i had 3 ciggies in the whole of my pregnancy my daughter weighed 7pounds 11 oz and half quite a healthy weight, my mother on the other hand smoked all the way thru her pregnancy like 20-40 a day with both me and my brother i was 5lbs 13oz n my brother was exacly 1 pound heavier! it reduces birthweight dramaticly and increases chance of prem labour . At least shes cutting back though tell her she should reallly quit x

Angela - posted on 01/10/2010

I quit cold turkey with my oldest son as soon as I found out I was pregnant. He was born 3 weeks early with mild complications during labor. My second son, I could not quit for the life of me. I tried everything I could. He was born 5 weeks early. My doctor told me it had nothing to do with my smoking, My body just didn't take pregnancy very well. Try not to be too hard on her, for some people it's a piece of cake to quit and for others it is extremely difficult. Just try to support her, that's the best thing you could do. Offer yourself as a "sponsor" and try to keep her mind occupied with activities. I did water aerobics during both pregnancies and it was a great distraction!



Angie

Mary - posted on 01/10/2010

I think this is all just silly....

When really pressed, even the most die-hard smoker knows, somewhere deep down, that smoking is NOT optimal for either you or your child. Yes, there are hundreds of smokers who can recount their personal testimonies of how they smoked throughout pregnancy and their baby is "just fine". Congratulations, I'm glad it all worked out. You took a chance, and got lucky. Happens all the time - but it doesn't make it "okay" or advisable. It also does not negate the fact that smoking while pregnant DOES put both you and your baby at risk. I'm not calling you a bad parent, or claiming that you dont care about the health and well being of your child. I do think that your addiction to nicotine (and your denial about it's power over you) were simply something that even a love of your baby cannot yet help you quit. IT IS HARD. No arguments there. Just please refrain from crowing about how you knowingly continued to do something that all of the civilized world KNOWS is contraindicated in pregnancy and got away with it. All that does is give some other sap the hope that maybe they'll get lucky too.

Krista - posted on 01/10/2010

Quoting Kylie:

at the end of the day i think it how you feel about it because i smoked with my 2 boys and they were 8pond so im fine about it

What about your two boys? Are they fine about it? Have you told them that you smoked while you were pregnant with them? That you knew that you were risking their health and their lives, but ignored those risks because you thought you knew better? 

All the people on here who have said that they smoked and their kids are "just fine" -- I'd be very interested in hearing what their kids will say about it once they're grown. 

Lovey - posted on 01/10/2010

I am a smoker and a mom, I do though feel that you have to love your baby enough to not give them the smoke when you are prego...of course we know the effects but they do not have a choice...think smart...

Alison - posted on 01/10/2010

Smoking is not ok, ever, regardless of circumstances. It is poisoning the unborn baby. Being a mom is the toughest job EVER, so toughing it out and quitting now and forever is the first step to being a good parent.

Kylie - posted on 01/10/2010

at the end of the day i think it how you feel about it because i smoked with my 2 boys and they were 8pond so im fine about it

Allie - posted on 01/09/2010

I do agree that smoking is bad for the fetus, i am a former smoker myself, i quit cold turkey with my first daughter but then i started back up after she was born. and 5 months later i found out i was pregnant again. i smoked up until i was 3 months pregnant with my second. But my doctor did tell me that smoking while pregnant is bad... cold turkey can cause more stress and harm to the baby than actually smoking a few a day. he told me to gradually cut down and i did...hopefully she will...

Allie - posted on 01/09/2010

I do agree that smoking is bad for the fetus, i am a former smoker myself, i quit cold turkey with my first daughter but then i started back up after she was born. and 5 months later i found out i was pregnant again. i smoked up until i was 3 months pregnant with my second. But my doctor did tell me that smoking while pregnant is bad... cold turkey can cause more stress and harm to the baby than actually smoking a few a day. he told me to gradually cut down and i did...hopefully she will...

Shel - posted on 01/09/2010

I agree smoking while pregnant is not good, but quitting cold can be just as bad. It al depends on the person and their bodies. I smoked with both my children and they grew up to be happy healthy adults I was one of the luckier ones. My son is 25 and has only had 2 colds in his entire life. My daughter may have had a few more colds and the flu twice

Cassi - posted on 01/09/2010

wow people! i think the lesson here is that no matter how many studies there are, how much advice people give and how many cigarette packs actually TELL you smoking during pregnancy is harmful , people out there will still smoke during pregnancy. I think whoever is needing this advice should actually do some research for themselves. Instead of all this arguing. Find out the facts, the actual statistics.

:)

Katie - posted on 01/09/2010

Exactly.

Katie - posted on 01/09/2010

it is never unsafe to quit smoking. smoking is unsafe. quitting is healthier for you. its not THAT traumatic. I smoked for 4 years, up to a pack and a half a day and quit cold turkey when i was pregnant. Its not like crack, you dont withdrawl that badly.

Katie - posted on 01/09/2010

That is total crap. Smoking a cigarette while pregnant is like stepping on your babies umbilical cord for 5 minutes. Decreased oxygen to baby's brain can cause retardation. Not to mention asthma, low birth weight... smoking while pregnant is just plain selfish and stupid.

Cassi - posted on 01/09/2010

Smoking while pregnant harms babies. It even states it on the cigarette pack. Her doctor is not informed properly. My bestfriend was smoking while pregnant and she told me if she quit cold turkey then it would stress out her baby as well. THAT IS COMPLETELY B.S!! Smoking leads to premature babies while lung problems. The faster a pregnant person quits then the BETTER! The least she can do is quit smoking for 9months so her baby can have a lifetime of health!!

Nikki - posted on 01/09/2010

Im sorry I know I am new here but I did want to let you know that My OB told me that it was unsafe to stop smoking Immediately, to cut down over a 6 wk period but ultimately quit. So yes a dr can say dont quit cold turkey - BUT your sister in law should have been done by her 8th week...the reason is withdrawl effects on your body can cause miscarriage, but not for nothing - if your sil is using that excuse...lol.. shes not finishing that sentence. Sorry.

Leslie - posted on 01/09/2010

Its a disgusting! It stinks! I hate it when my cousin would bring her little baby girl around and the baby would stink like an ash tray, even inside the diaper bag. If your smoking just STOP YOU SMELL BAD!

Leslie - posted on 01/09/2010

Its a disgusting! It stinks! I hate it when my cousin would bring her little baby girl around and the baby would stink like an ash tray, even inside the diaper bag. If your smoking just STOP YOU SMELL BAD!

Amy - posted on 01/09/2010

Also where is ur BROTHER THE FATHER of this child ? Why dont u step up and say something to her ..idk maybe u have if u have good ..The dad is just the same its his PLACE AND HIS BABY ALSO TO STOP HER

Jessica - posted on 01/09/2010

It is 100% better for the baby to not smoke, I quit!

BUT . . . on the other hand . . . all of my friends kids are fine, they all smoked (10 kids can think of). and the parents of my moms generation didnt quit smoking and the kids seemed to be healthier then, less allergies etc. not that i think smoking has anything to do with it, but some people just wont quit and i think that should be there choice and they should not be given a hard time about it as long as they are trying to cut back. There are worse things then smoking, eating habbits for example, drug use etc that i think is more importnat.

Krista - posted on 01/09/2010

Quoting Monica:

if you live somewhere where you do not have the right to voice your opinion, I apologize.

Um...Monica? Freedom of speech isn't a uniquely American concept. It's pretty much universal in all democratic nations.  The comment made to you regarding that was just the expression of a bit of a pet peeve: that on so many online forums, those who are from America just automatically assume that everybody else is as well. 

Amy - posted on 01/09/2010

Smoking during pregnancy affects you and your baby's health before, during, and after your baby is born , carbon monoxide, and numerous other poisons you inhale and you are just givng it to your baby .Well your sis-inlaw .Is it wrong YES . She needs to stop and think about it .There is no "safe" level of smoking while pregnant.

She may have symptoms of withdrawal because her body is used to nicotine but its better to stop then to keep it going .And may I say WOW some these ppl one here drinking while they are .Its a shame some pp just shouldnt have kids .Carol Sapriken

up top sd it ALL .. She DOESNT CARE about that child AT ALL . When a woman smokes the chemicals in the smoke enter her bloodstream and pass directly into her baby's body. The effect of nicotine and smoking on your body…..AND YOUR BABY is extremely damaging.Nicotine is a poison and taken in large doses could kill a person by paralyzing breathing muscles just think thats a little baby in there . We as mothers shoudl protect our children it DONT START when they are born it starts WHEN THEY GET MADE AND OUR IN US ...SHE IS A mother NOW .Start protecting the baby NOW

Irene - posted on 01/09/2010

i wonder if dr's also tell people 2 gradually stop drinking or smoking weed or shooting up....wonder if its dangerous 2 stop that cold turkey....

Jodi - posted on 01/09/2010

Well, I know someone who survived some serious child abuse and has turned out just fine, so maybe we should all beat our kids up while we are drunk and smoking, because that must be okay too.

Krista - posted on 01/09/2010

Quoting Laura:

Hey Krista, let's get knocked up then go on a month long smoking and drinking binge...it will be ok because I have an aunt who was a chain smoker and alcoholic when she was pregnant and all 10 of her kids were fine. Oh and nobody better judge us or tell us we are wrong because it is our choice to make. Maybe if we have some free time we can play russian roulette for shits and giggles afterwards.

Sounds good to me. And after our drinking binge, we'll go for a nice long country drive. Hell, a friend of a friend drinks and drives all the time, and she's never been in an accident, so all those studies and statistics are obviously just crap.  I have anecdotes, so there! Trump that!

Jodi - posted on 01/09/2010

if you live somewhere where you do not have the right to voice your opinion, I apologize.

Johnny - posted on 01/09/2010

I love how all of these posters who keep saying it's the mother's right to do what she wants completely forget that it ISN'T JUST ABOUT THE MOTHER!!! Remember ladies, when you are pregnant you are carrying a baby. I know that seems simple, but I'm not sure that some of you are totally aware of that. If she wasn't pregnant, she'd be well within her rights to poison her own stupid ass all she likes, but now she is likely causing harm to another human being. Has no one heard the phrase, "your right to swing your fist stops where my nose begins?" Those choking babies can't tell you that, but I'm sure they would if they could between their in uterine coughing fits.

Kelly - posted on 01/09/2010

I guess this proves my point why I don't let other's effect my emotions because I don't have to get wrapped up in what others think. I am a grown woman that does not smoke and did not smoke while I was pregnant but I guess I am wrong by saying I have no control of what they do and it is not my problem. I still stand firm in what I believe,Opinion are like ASSES everyone has one. Good luck to all mother's to be regardless if you smoke or not!

Monica - posted on 01/09/2010

LOL! It's always cheap entertainment to read these opinion board, post your own opinion and watch the wars begin. Kudos to all of you! The internet is such an entertaining way to spend an afternoon watching individuals rehash the same thing over and over. My opinion stands, I apologize that it is different than most, good luck in the debating process and may you all have an enjoyable evening. Others not agreeing with me or challanging my thoughts will not ruin mine, I assure you. My goal was to post my opinion and move on with my life, which is very enjoyable in and of itself. Good luck to you all in your debating!

La - posted on 01/09/2010

Hey Krista, let's get knocked up then go on a month long smoking and drinking binge...it will be ok because I have an aunt who was a chain smoker and alcoholic when she was pregnant and all 10 of her kids were fine. Oh and nobody better judge us or tell us we are wrong because it is our choice to make. Maybe if we have some free time we can play russian roulette for shits and giggles afterwards.

Krista - posted on 01/09/2010

Quoting Monica:

Get a grip and put your "big-girl panties on" I am well aware of the fact it is an opion board and everyone has their right to their own opionion. I don't believe anywhere in my "opinion" I specifically referred to any one person. I can handle critisism - can you say the same? I'm not attacking any individual, nor do I think their opions are any less worthy than mine. If I felt like sitting on the computer all day and looking up facts, I would sure provide them. However, I'm not interested. I gave my opinion and will leave it at that. Before someone tells others to "put on their big-girl panties" they may want to make sure they themselves are able to take in others opions and realize that they are on an opinion board. If we all did not have opions and the ability to voice them, it wouldn't be America. I believe the rights we are given still stand, even if they differ from our own. Congratulations on having your opinion, I do respect it, even if I don't agree with it.

Sure I can handle criticism. And I have no problem when peoples' opinions differ from mine.  There are a lot of people on here who raise their children in a different manner than I would raise mine, and as long as nobody's being hurt, I say "vive la difference!"  Whatever works for you, right? 

The reason I'm being such a bulldog on this topic, however, is because people are willfully ignoring or downplaying the consensus of the entire international medical community, simply because they know someone who smoked while pregnant and had a healthy baby. It's beyond absurd. 

As I said earlier, if there was a thread talking about drinking and driving, and I went on there and said that I know people who drink and drive, but who have always been just fine, and that we have to "respect someone's personal choice" to get behind the wheel after 7 rum-and-cokes...well, first of all, I'd be an idiot. And secondly, I would fully expect people to leap all over me for such an idiotic statement. This is no different. 

La - posted on 01/09/2010

Monica, I don't think it needs to be said that Krista has her big girl pants on because she has voiced her opinion AND backed it up with solid evidence to support what she says. You on the other hand have made a pretty unheard of claim that "wood smoke is more dangerous than cigerette smoke" and have pretty much bowed out when you were asked to provide supporting evidence to that claim. If you expect people to take your opinion seriously you shouldn't throw out "facts" that you cannot support. If you had your big girl debate pants on you would see that to support that argument you would need credible evidence to back you up, much like Krista and others have provided for the other side of this debate. Try harder next time. Cheers.

Monica - posted on 01/09/2010

if you live somewhere where you do not have the right to voice your opinion, I apologize.

Sherre - posted on 01/09/2010

Monica S.
My mother had four healthy babies. 7lbs-10lbs and smoked. None of us were sick. Did she increase our risks? Absolutely! I just recently had ababy boy 2008 and before him, I smoke for 6yrs. I made the decision to quit. To protect my unborn baby, who I loved the moment I found out I was pregnant. Now, being that my mom had four healthy kids, I could've said, "the hell with it...I'm not going to quit." But I did quit. My sister had her first baby boy last year and smoked most of her pregnancy. He was unfortunately premature, had juandice very bad and had breathing problems when he was born. If you told me it wasn't because she smoked (since none of us have a history of illness) I'd tell you, that's a lie and you're obviously stupid. So, the moral of the story is, you can smoke and have a healthy baby or you can smoke and have an ill baby. You're baby is already at risk of other health issues (esp if they run in your family) so why increase it?
Sounds pretty stupid to me.
People need to stop justifying their actions!!!

Jodi - posted on 01/09/2010

If we all did not have opions and the ability to voice them, it wouldn't be America.

Monica - posted on 01/09/2010

Get a grip and put your "big-girl panties on" I am well aware of the fact it is an opion board and everyone has their right to their own opionion. I don't believe anywhere in my "opinion" I specifically referred to any one person. I can handle critisism - can you say the same? I'm not attacking any individual, nor do I think their opions are any less worthy than mine. If I felt like sitting on the computer all day and looking up facts, I would sure provide them. However, I'm not interested. I gave my opinion and will leave it at that. Before someone tells others to "put on their big-girl panties" they may want to make sure they themselves are able to take in others opions and realize that they are on an opinion board. If we all did not have opions and the ability to voice them, it wouldn't be America. I believe the rights we are given still stand, even if they differ from our own. Congratulations on having your opinion, I do respect it, even if I don't agree with it.

La - posted on 01/09/2010

Quoting Monica S: Find me even ONE study that shows cigerette smoking alone caused any brain damage to a child or any other long term damage. Even the side effects they list cannot be sole contributed to smoking because they happen to children even when the parent doesn't smoke. The effects that happen from drugs and alcohol NEVER show up unless those substances were present during pregnancy. People need to not buy in to all the media hype and story telling. Read more facts and use your brain. By the way, make sure you never go into a house with a wood burning stove while pregnant. The wood smoke is more dangerous than cigerette smoke.


How about YOU show us ANY study that says wood smoke is more dangerous than cigarette smoke...

Monica - posted on 01/09/2010

OMG! I think people need to really get a grip on. Do I think smoking is completely healthy thing to do while being pregnant - NO. But do I think people should be condemend for it - Absolutely No! It doesn't mean someone doesn't care about their child and I think most of the crap about smoking is hype anyway! Whether it's while your pregnant or just the hoopla about second hand smoke. If your that worried about what the smoking will do, never clean your house using ANY chemical while your pregnant, never stand next to running vehicle, stay away from a wide variety of foods, don't walk into a beauty salon (even just to get your hair cut) because whether you are getting perm or not, the chemicals are in the air and you WILL breath them in! Shall I go on with the list? I know many, many woman who have NEVER smoked and stayed away from people who smoke and suffered ALL of the same side effects that smoking during pregnancy causes. I have two children who were born happy and healthy with normal birth waits and no trouble. And I smoke. My mother had 6 children, all were born with normal birth weight and NO problems that could be related to they effects they attribute to smoking. Do I think I should quit smoking, of course. Do I feel I'm causing huge damage to my children, NO! My children are never sick, never have ear infections, never have to go to the doctor. Myself and my 5 siblings were the same way growing up! Matter of fact on the RARE occassion that one of us did get any ear infection, my mom blew smoke in our ear and it was gone in a matter of a day! Hmmmm .. maybe it was a good thing. I'm not by any means advocating for people to smoke during pregnancy, but people need to get a life and worry about so many other things than crawling all over women that smoke. And for the comment about crack - there are proven studies as well as many children I could find - that suffer actually brain damage and other issues from drug or alcohol use. Those are man made substances that have chemicals in them that do damage to brain developement. Find me even ONE study that shows cigerette smoking alone caused any brain damage to a child or any other long term damage. Even the side effects they list cannot be sole contributed to smoking because they happen to children even when the parent doesn't smoke. The effects that happen from drugs and alcohol NEVER show up unless those substances were present during pregnancy. People need to not buy in to all the media hype and story telling. Read more facts and use your brain. By the way, make sure you never go into a house with a wood burning stove while pregnant. The wood smoke is more dangerous than cigerette smoke.

Krista - posted on 01/09/2010

Quoting Monica:

OMG! I think people need to really get a grip on. Do I think smoking is completely healthy thing to do while being pregnant - NO. But do I think people should be condemend for it - Absolutely No! It doesn't mean someone doesn't care about their child and I think most of the crap about smoking is hype anyway! Whether it's while your pregnant or just the hoopla about second hand smoke. If your that worried about what the smoking will do, never clean your house using ANY chemical while your pregnant, never stand next to running vehicle, stay away from a wide variety of foods, don't walk into a beauty salon (even just to get your hair cut) because whether you are getting perm or not, the chemicals are in the air and you WILL breath them in! Shall I go on with the list? I know many, many woman who have NEVER smoked and stayed away from people who smoke and suffered ALL of the same side effects that smoking during pregnancy causes. I have two children who were born happy and healthy with normal birth waits and no trouble. And I smoke. My mother had 6 children, all were born with normal birth weight and NO problems that could be related to they effects they attribute to smoking. Do I think I should quit smoking, of course. Do I feel I'm causing huge damage to my children, NO! My children are never sick, never have ear infections, never have to go to the doctor. Myself and my 5 siblings were the same way growing up! Matter of fact on the RARE occassion that one of us did get any ear infection, my mom blew smoke in our ear and it was gone in a matter of a day! Hmmmm .. maybe it was a good thing. I'm not by any means advocating for people to smoke during pregnancy, but people need to get a life and worry about so many other things than crawling all over women that smoke. And for the comment about crack - there are proven studies as well as many children I could find - that suffer actually brain damage and other issues from drug or alcohol use. Those are man made substances that have chemicals in them that do damage to brain developement. Find me even ONE study that shows cigerette smoking alone caused any brain damage to a child or any other long term damage. Even the side effects they list cannot be sole contributed to smoking because they happen to children even when the parent doesn't smoke. The effects that happen from drugs and alcohol NEVER show up unless those substances were present during pregnancy. People need to not buy in to all the media hype and story telling. Read more facts and use your brain. By the way, make sure you never go into a house with a wood burning stove while pregnant. The wood smoke is more dangerous than cigerette smoke.

Care to provide a source for that claim about wood smoke? I've provided plenty of sources showing what women are risking by smoking while pregnant. In fact, if I recall correctly, out of all of the women on here who are downplaying those risks, not ONE of them has provided any sort of source other than anecdotal data. 

And  you said you want a study that shows cigarette smoking causes brain damage or any other long term damage? I already quoted the AAP's statement on it. They didn't just haul that stuff out of their collective butt -- they based that position statement on years of studies. But I'll paste it here again, and will boldface some of the pertinent sections that seem to not be sinking in here:

Pregnant women who smoke should be aware of increased risks to their offspring, including spontaneous abortion, low birth weight, sudden infant death syndrome, and long-term cognitive and behavioral problems including lower intelligence and attention deficit disorder with or without hyperactivity. Recent research suggests that some children born to mothers who smoke during pregnancy have more brain nicotine receptors. Prospective fathers who smoke need to be aware of their increased risk for developing impotence and transmitting genetic abnormalities. Parents also need to be aware that ETS is classified by the US Environmental Protection Agency as a class A carcinogen and that exposing their children to ETS increases the risk of asthma, sudden infant death syndrome, middle ear disease, pneumonia, cough, upper respiratory infection, lower high-density lipoprotein cholesterol levels, and coronary artery disease. Exposure to ETS before age 10 years increases the risk of developing leukemia and lymphoma as an adult.

And again (and again, and again -- I seem to keep having to repeat myself on this), NOBODY IS SAYING THAT IF YOU SMOKE, YOU ARE GUARANTEED TO HAVE AN UNHEALTHY BABY. NOBODY IS SAYING THAT IF YOU DON'T SMOKE, YOU ARE GUARANTEED A HEALTHY ONE. All that I (and others here) are saying is that smoking greatly increases the odds of your child having health problems.  

A lot of people on this thread seem to think that those of us who are vehemently anti-pregnancy-smoking are these awful people who are going around getting in peoples' faces and judging them. First of all, why am I the awful one? I'm not endangering anybody's kid. And second of all, I certainly don't go up to pregnant women who smoke and give them an earful, as tempting as it is. I might give them a look, but more often than not, that's unintentional, as I have a terrible poker face and cannot keep my disgust from showing.

But the original poster ASKED US FOR OUR OPINIONS -- and I gave mine. And I'm being challenged on it, and that's fine -- that's the entire point of a discussion board. But everybody else here is subject to the same thing:  if you share your opinion on a discussion board, you have to expect that you might be challenged on it. If we're going to participate in a discussion as controversial as prenatal smoking, we all have to put on our big-girl panties and expect that things are going to get a bit heated. 

SUSIE - posted on 01/09/2010

i think totally no smoking



i...............f the DR says to not go cold turkey he didnt mean stretch itout toll 9 months

Sherre - posted on 01/09/2010

Quoting Lauren:

EVERYTHING is bad for you now days!! Anything and everything that can go wrong in a pregnancy is always blamed on smoking! BS!! Granted yes woman should not smoke when they are pregnant...but none smokers need to LAY OFF!! It's not that easy to do!! And just because some woman cant quit dosne't mean they dont' love their baby just as much as you do!! Yes I am a pregnant mom to be and I have failed to quit completly...so I know what its like! But trust me people down your throat every two seconds about it....does not help by any means!!!

Actually, if you read most of the comments, most of us were all smokers and unlike you, we quit...cold turkey or not. If you smoke and you're willing to accept your child may have something wrong with he/she, then that's you. We are voicing our opinions in an open discussion and to me, it seems like the ones who still smoke and feel guilty about it, post comments such as: anything and everything that can go wrong in a pregnancy is blamed on smoking.

And I don't feel I'm any better a mother than you will be but I knew from the minute I had my son, I wanted to see him live!

Yes, every situation is different but most of us been there, done that and to be honest the general FACT is SMOKING IS BAD!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! PERIOD!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Good luck!

Monica - posted on 01/09/2010

OMG! I think people need to really get a grip on. Do I think smoking is completely healthy thing to do while being pregnant - NO. But do I think people should be condemend for it - Absolutely No! It doesn't mean someone doesn't care about their child and I think most of the crap about smoking is hype anyway! Whether it's while your pregnant or just the hoopla about second hand smoke. If your that worried about what the smoking will do, never clean your house using ANY chemical while your pregnant, never stand next to running vehicle, stay away from a wide variety of foods, don't walk into a beauty salon (even just to get your hair cut) because whether you are getting perm or not, the chemicals are in the air and you WILL breath them in! Shall I go on with the list? I know many, many woman who have NEVER smoked and stayed away from people who smoke and suffered ALL of the same side effects that smoking during pregnancy causes. I have two children who were born happy and healthy with normal birth waits and no trouble. And I smoke. My mother had 6 children, all were born with normal birth weight and NO problems that could be related to they effects they attribute to smoking. Do I think I should quit smoking, of course. Do I feel I'm causing huge damage to my children, NO! My children are never sick, never have ear infections, never have to go to the doctor. Myself and my 5 siblings were the same way growing up! Matter of fact on the RARE occassion that one of us did get any ear infection, my mom blew smoke in our ear and it was gone in a matter of a day! Hmmmm .. maybe it was a good thing. I'm not by any means advocating for people to smoke during pregnancy, but people need to get a life and worry about so many other things than crawling all over women that smoke. And for the comment about crack - there are proven studies as well as many children I could find - that suffer actually brain damage and other issues from drug or alcohol use. Those are man made substances that have chemicals in them that do damage to brain developement. Find me even ONE study that shows cigerette smoking alone caused any brain damage to a child or any other long term damage. Even the side effects they list cannot be sole contributed to smoking because they happen to children even when the parent doesn't smoke. The effects that happen from drugs and alcohol NEVER show up unless those substances were present during pregnancy. People need to not buy in to all the media hype and story telling. Read more facts and use your brain. By the way, make sure you never go into a house with a wood burning stove while pregnant. The wood smoke is more dangerous than cigerette smoke.