Smoking and Pregnant

[tattoo_mama]

Hi all, was wondering if any ladies have been smoking pot and /or having trouble quitting during pregnancy? I don't want to start any debates, I myself have done a lot of research into the effects etc, I am 22 yrs old, 16 weeks pregnant with my 1st child, usually smoked 2 or3 cones a night with my partner and have been a big pot smoker since 16 yrs old, and have cut down to 1 cone every 2 or 3 days ( and no im not a dole bludger I have a loving partner and we both work). Any responses from other mums would be appreciated!

[Kailani]

Hi tatoo mama,

congrats on your pregnancy and welcome to BB

I'm not in your situation but I just wanted to say good luck and well done on cutting down and trying to quit. Although I haven't experienced any addiction personally, I have a close family member who has battled with several and for many years and so has her partner so I can understand how difficult it is. One thing I know really helps though, is if your partner does the same, that is, cut down and try to quit as well so you can both support and encourage each other.

All the best xox

[ss_storm]

I don't smoke, but my DF does. I hate it but I know he's not going to quit anytime soon... He smokes inside the house, although only in the office, so whenever he lights up I just take myself out of the room until he is done and I can't smell it anymore. The worst is in the car, it's just a habit to light up as soon as he gets in. He does put the window down, and I cough and splutter to let him know that I do not like it...then stick my head out the window... He doesn't see anything wrong with it, his mum smoked throughout all 3 of her pregnancies and all the kids are fine, I just wish he wouldn't do it around me, especially in the car. Have talked to him about it plenty of times before, but he just doesn't get that I don't like it and hate the smell of it...

[~Raven~]

tattoo_mama I can't speak from a PG person and smoking perspective but as a former pot smoker in my younger days, I would have to say that only having one every 2 or 3 days you're just about there. I would say that if you really want to quit then you can do it easily and be smoke free for the remainder of your PG. The important thing I would imagine is support from your partner to take it outside and not smoke in front of you. Tell him to think of it as his first parental sacrifice, afterall he shouldn't do it at all in the house with the baby once it's born.
Good luck with it!

[suse]

Hi tattoo mama, it's not easy giving up, is it? Sounds to me like you've done a great job so far.

There are a couple of things that you can do to minimise your THC intake (which will also make it easier to give up completely if that's what you're aiming to do). Perhaps try smoking joints instead of cones. The amount of THC you get in one hit of a bong is far in excess of what you get from a joint. Also, if you smoke hydroponic pot (especially high THC hybrid strains), try smoking bush grown pot which has much lower THC levels than some of the hydroponically grown stuff and usually has less pesticides/chemicals used in its growth. Also smoking leaf instead of buds will decrease the THC intake.

If you do want to give up but your partner doesn't, perhaps he could not smoke at home for a while to help you give up. Even if he goes outside to smoke (taking the 'physical' aspect of desire away from you), seeing him under the influence isn't going to help you with the psychological want to smoke. And an alternative to smoking that helps both relax and distract you (maybe a nice massage from your partner), will also act as a reward. Even if you give up now and your partner doesn't want to at this point, he might find that once bubs arrives he doesn't want to smoke. I know quite a few guys whose perspective changed once they had a little one, they didn't enjoy the sensation so much.

Hope this helps - good luck - and congratulations on your pregnancy!!

[Schmickers]

That's some great advice from Suse, and I'd also like to congratulate you for taking such a positive step for your baby. Giving up pot is not easy.

Another idea as you continue to quit might be to consider eating it, rather than smoking it - hash cakes or hash cookies. These don't have the respiratory side effects that smoking a joint or a cone do - the risk of lung cancer and lung disease, etc.

You should try and ensure you are pot-free before baby is born. Babies who are born to mothers who are actively using have to withdraw from the drug after they are born, and that can be a long and painful process.