Suggestions on ways to quit smoking during pregnancy

[NaeNae]

Hey Mummatotow,

I know how hard the struggle to quit is, though I haven't smoked for 7 years I use to be a pack or two a day girl (good ole pj 16's) People who have never smoked don't realise there are more than one addiction with smoking - there is the physical, emotional and psychological addictions and none are easy to kick.
A friend of mine who was a relatively heavy smoker was told by her Dr NOT to give up because it would put more stress on her and her twins. My friends twins are perfectly strong and healthy boys and mum continued as a heavy smoker right up until they were born.

If you can cut down without getting stressed then thats great and brings you one step closer to being nicotine free, if not then don't beat yourself up over it that will never get you anywhere and will put added stress on you and bub as well.

Congrats on how you've gone so far best wishes for onwards.

Nae x

[CeCe]

Hi mummatotwo,

I'm not a smoker but I did have a food obsession and my emotional eating habits were getting way out of hand. I was at my wits end as no matter how hard I tried 'to be good' that just seemed to put more pressure on me and make me want to turn to food more.

I needed help and I turned to hypnotherapy. The about face for me has been fantastic. I don't 'crave' the 3 o'clock chocolate, I'd prefer savoury, healthy foods rather than fast/takeaways etc. This treatment does cost money, but for me I wish I had done it sooner. Just a suggestion for you...

[Wombles]

Sure, you can add me to msn messenger. cheekycupid32@hotmail.com

[Mummatotwo!]

Ok, I'm going to make myself unpopular again here . . .

I can understand this idea, but I don't think it's helpful either to just turned a blind eye to the damage that smoking and other drugs in pregnancy due just so a woman doesn't feel guilty. I think there's this attitude around, not just with smoking and drugs but things like formula feeding etc. where we all KNOW what is really best for babies but we play it down. Okay, the mother doesn't feel bad but isn't her babies' health more important? If using drugs during pregnancy became *really* socially unacceptable then that would make it more difficult for women to do it, so I think that being really honest about it is the best thing.

And if a baby turns out healthy despite their mother using drugs during pregnancy, it doesn't mean that smoking is any less damaging, it means that her baby was lucky. Not to mention, there are problems that can present years later that are caused by or exhacerbated by the pregnant mothers' smoking, e.g. asthma and allergies (both of which I have and my mother smoked when she was pregnant with me).

edit: I'm not trying to start up the discussion about the effects of drugs and pregnancy again, i'm just commenting on how we should approach and problem.

hi, with all do respect, can we please keep this on track. i am not askign for people to tell me its ok. i am educated i KNOW it isnt, i am looking for helpful tips and ideas to help me stop. please keep the debate side of smoking/non smoking out of this thread.

[paradise lost]

Mumma has your doctor offered you counselling or group-quitting services and/or NRT? It is really (proven in studies) easier to quit when you have company and nicotine replacement therapy. SOmething like twice as many people succeed with that extra support.

The best bits about the groups (just as on here in the quitters thread Dach started) is that you are with people who have the same aim, REALLY understand how this week felt, and are going through it WITH you, so you can talk without feeling judged. The NRT, especially the microtab which is what PG women in the UK are given, means you can just stave off the ciggies yourself and if you get really desperate you pop a microtab onto your tongue and the nicotine cravings abate a bit. It gives quitters the valuable break from the craving to strengthen their resolve - NOT easy to do when your whole body is screaming for nicotine!

Chop up some carrots or whatever you like into ciggie shaped/sized batons to munch on, so you can get used to doing something else with your hand. Once you've quit the physical addiction the psychological addiction can be circumnavigated constantly until the habit breaks. Like if your hand misses the cig, hold a pen and do a crossword or write in a pregnancy journal, or hold a carrot stick and munch or learn to knit and knit little things for the baby, so every time the craving comes on you have done something positive with it, and after a while you will be able to have real pride not only in your quit but in the things you have managed to create and do while tackling it.

Keep on keeping on, around 70% of smokers wish they could quit at any one time and some people take a few goes before they are successful. Don't lose heart. If you have a day when you feel you really need one: if you DON'T have one be INCREDIBLY proud of getting through, if you DO have one forgive yourself and continue your quit tomorrow as if it hadn't happened. It's so easy to see one slip or relapse as you having wrecked it and might as well smoke, but don't let the addictive thoughts trick you into believing that! EVERY cigarette you don't smoke is a battle and the more battles you win, the closer you are to winning the war. Hang tough hun, you're doing it!

Bx

[kirsty_lee]

Yeh i agree... it is hard mummyoftwo..beleive me i totally understand that.. i guess the only way i got through it was just thinking..little bit longer and the cravings will subside. But please dont do it cold turkey. Personally for me it was the hardest thing i ever did.. i didnt eat for about a week straight dp was freaking out cause i just couldnt eat.. i was so viloently ill. Your body goes through different phases... dont want to scare you but its better you know what your in for... i had diaroeah (sp) and my heart was racing and i couldnt breathe.. but after about 2 weeks the physical symptoms went and i got my appetite back due to dp freking out and practically force feeding me. But i guess when you quit do it gradually and not cold turkey cause its stressful and something i would never do again.. and try and avoid things you associate with smoking.. like for me drinking coffee would make me ill cause i associated coffee with tobacco... i hope it goes well for you .. just stay strong and do it for yourself and not because your being pressured to do so. I've quit a few times now (lol NO judgement) and i noticed its the times when i've chosen to give up rather than being told to that i do better.. thinking of you.. good luck

[Mummatotwo!]

no, but we are searching for tips to quit. i think we are well aware of the facts about it "thanks".

so lets all please try and keep it to constructive ADVICE on how we can quit the icky habit. Simple.

[MistyFying]

Please keep the discussion on topic. Mummatotwo has stated she knows smoking in pregnancy is not good for her or her baby, so please stop telling her that. She is, however, after some tips on how others quit. Thanks for your cooperation everyone and please play nice.

[mrsmac]

I agree with avoiding things you associate with smoking too, for me that was coffee and alcohol and even a couple of friends who I always smoked with (I didn't give them up just avoided situations with them where we would normally smoke)
I found rewarding myself for time I went without smoking good too, even my family and friends got in on it- I got a lunch out with a friend (she paid) after 2 weeks, my brother bought me flowers after 3 weeks etc

[shorty]

I have just given it the flick again. The first time i just kept going down in strenght and gradually got down to about two a day, then i just stopped. I started up again about two months ago, but ive developed a chest infection over the last couple of days so ive thrown my packet away(no temptations!), so hopefully this time i can kick the habbit for good.
HTH, simone

[kirsty_lee]

Good on you mrsmac! I always found the hardest part for me was that first "social" outing. Where you and a few friends would normally all sit around chatting and "spark up" ..nothing has changed now except for the fact your no longer "sparking".. that was the hard part for me.. i caved so many times. I think its really great that we can all be honest and open regardless of the few comments which have been a tad bit judgmental