Smoking while pregnant?

Question

Ok, I'm sure this might end up to be a heated debate, but how many of you out there have smoked during your pregnancy? If so, how much? What was the effect it had on your pregnancy/child?

I've been told by doctors not to quit cold turkey while pregnant, as it puts too much strain on the developing baby. Cutting down is best, they've said. As it stands, I've been smoking for 10 years. For the last 3, I haven't been a heavy smoker. The most I've smoked in a day was 10-12 cigarettes. For the last 3 months, I've been smoking rolling tobacco, which I've also been told has less chemicals than tailored cigarettes. I've tried monitoring myself to see how much I've been smoking, and I figure I'm around 5-6 (rolled) cigarettes per day. I'm a strange one, though, since for the last 3 years I never smoke a whole cigarette. When I was smoking tailored ones, I would smoke half and then put it out, and smoke the other half an hour or two later. Now, I roll a cigarette, tear it in half, and only smoke half of it.

I'd really like to quit, because I've had one miscarriage before (when I was 19, and I'm currently 26), and since this was a planned pregnancy and we're very happy and excited about it, this would be the most devastating thing in the world for us. I'm also worried about withdrawal symptoms and putting stress on the baby (again, I know I'm only 5 weeks, but still).

What is your advice? I'd like to hear what you've done and how it affected you. Thanks so much! :)

Answer 1

try the patch or the gum.

Answer 2

Obvioulsy try to quit--if you can't just cut down--if you get up and smoke--try to make it til 10 am than noon--whatever--til your down to 10 pm and 1/2 a cig--I know its hard--it is best for you and your baby to be to quit--but remember the generation we were born into smoked and drank and we are fine--don't be too hard on yourself--a miscarriage is not caused from smoking--but we all know smoking is a horrible habit--maybe being preg will get you to quit--I always did--after 4--when I felt them move within me--but started again--but am like you only one-two a day-nightime stress relief.

Answer 3

quit smoking. if you smoke while you are pregnant I don't think you deserve to be a mother. you might as well be choking your child with your bare hands. idiot.

Answer 4

Take your time quitting. Try cutting the number of cigarettes weekly, or however you're comfortable. Try to go as long as you can without one until you HAVE to have one. Cutting cold turkey will put stress on the baby, just like if you weren't pregnant it would put stress on your body. Take it day by day. =)

Answer 5

With my first pregnancy I quit as soon as I saw the + test.

The 2nd I quit about a week after the test.

The 3rd I smoked on and off throughout, but never more than 5 cigs. a day.

The 4th....I know I smoked on my way to the hospital.

I feel bad, but not too bad.  My children were are normal and healthy.  Like I said, I never smoked more than a few a day (5 at most).  Even though I am not the type to judge a pregnant woman that smokes, it still bothers me when I see a pregnant woman smoke in public.  To me that means she isn't even trying to cut back.  Again, this is only my opinion.

Answer 6

I smoked with my second and third pregnancy. My second was born at 38 weeks but I was induced due to high blood pressure (which I also had with my first and didn't smoke) He was 6lbs 2 ounces which was smaller then my first who was born at 36 weeks 6lbs 8 ounces. So the baby is a little smaller. My third was born at 38 weeks water broke and she was 6lbs 12 ounces. So my baby's were on the lighter side but not too tiny. My second son has asthma but there is a history of that on the father's side so its impossible to tell if it's from smoking or not. my older one has a different father and my younger one has no signs of asthma. They had no signs of any withdrawal after birth. They were normal newborn babys and actually I think they were better then other newborns I've seen more relaxed. When I was pregnant with my second child I too started to only smoke half cigarettes and still do to this day. When I was pregnant I would smoke as little as possible around 6 a day. MY doctor said I didn't need to quit but to cut down. Not pregnant I smoke about a half a pack a day. But for the health of my children I do smoke outside.

Answer 7

I don't want to encourage smoking while pregnant.  But I will give you the honest truth with my situation.  

I became pregnant.... and it was a surprise.  I had always vowed to myself that I would quite smoking before my husband and I ever tried to conceive a child.  Well...... that didn't happen.  I was a smoker.... and pregnant.  I cut done considerably though.  I smoked a pack a day before pregnancy..... and I cut down to about 5 cigs a week.  Some days I wouldn't smoke at all..... some days I would smoke 2- 3..... and then feel guilty and go without smoking for a few days.   I smoked up until the day I had my baby.  I went 2 weeks overdue.... and had a healthy baby boy.... weighing 8 lbs 2 oz..... and 21   1/2 inches long.  After a long labor.... with many complications.... and being on medication and antibiotic...... he still scored a 9 on the apagar score right away.... and a 10  @ 5 minutes after birth.  He is perfectly healthy and has never had so much as a sniffle.  He is know 7 months old and 20 lbs.    

the funny thing was.... when I was in the hospital getting ready to be induced.... my nurse was checking my lungs and breathing..... and she said.... ahhhh.... good healhty lungs.....  I bet your not a smoker... huh......    and then I stated.... well actually yes...... I have been smoking for 8 years.... she couldn't believe it.

I wouldn't recommend smoking alot during pregnancy.... nor would I say it is a good thing to do.   I don't know.... maybe I got lucky.....  but you asked for our personal experiences with smoking and i gave you the honest truth......

And to any haters out there...... I don't care if you give me thumbs down...... because I answered the question that was asked honestly and truthfully!

Answer 8

now is def the time to quit, b/c if u wait longer it will make u have withdraws but i have had a friend that smoked during her pregnancy till she was 4 months and her baby did not survive and they did say that it was caused in part by the cigs. so i would not risk it if i were u!! i quit cold turkey when i was like 6-7 weeks pregnant with my last child and i never had any prob... so good luck to u and ur baby!!

Answer 9

I am currently pregnant and do not smoke, but I didnt before I was pregnant either. I have read though, that IF you do smoke you should not quit cold turkey. I cannot remember what it said exactly, but if you go to babycenter.com or webmd.com you can find out more info about it and get more advice. you should really try and quit though. You have your baby to think about and he/she is the most important thing.

Good Luck! :)

Answer 10

well I never smoked while I was pregnant, but shouldnt your doctor have sugguested something to do? you should have quit before you ttc, since it was a planned pregnancy. but try chewing gum instead since ppl have oral fixations as well as depandancy with tobacco. while ppl say they smoked their whole pregnancy and their baby was fine, I still dont think that is right. I mean, would you let a toddler smoke? you are this baby's parent and you are supposed to protect it. and the baby has no choice in the matter. who know, it could have asma (can't spell) later on in life even if he/she seems fine at birth. there could be bad consequences for it and how would it make you feel? I just dont understand how your doctor didnt suggest something to do. '

when you want to smoke, do something to distract yourself. go for a walk, eat a snack, take a nap, call a friend, etc. Did he say if Nicorette gum would be bad,? I mean if youi're already smoking anyway, I dont see how it would be worse than a cigarette. and it will taste like c**p, but your baby deserves the chance to be healthy.  

Answer 11

Well When i was pregnant with my son i smoked alot. i mean alot. About a pack a day. He was born at 40 weeks 6 days and weighed 7lbs 9 oz. Nothing went wrong during pregnancy either . He is now a happy healthy very smart 3 yr old. Not to mention i was a high risk pregnancy being only 15 when he was born

Answer 12

I smoke about 6 a day and my doctor told me not to quit because its to hard on you and the baby and so far my baby is growing and good health. My mom smoked with all of my brothers and me and we have never had a health problem a whole life and we all weighed of 7 pounds at birth. and I'm now 7months pregnant and still smoking

Answer 13

Quit cold turkey!!!

Answer 14

If you feel that you can quit cold turkey then do it!  I was addicted to cocaine for 2 1/2 years and then found out I was pregnant.  The second I found out I was going to have a baby my addiction was out the door.  And I am sure cocaine is a lot harder to quit than smoking, you just have to keep the mind set that you are doing this for your child.  At the same time, if you think it is going to be extremely stressful to quit cold turkey then you should gradually decrease the amount you are smoking.  For example, one week smoke 2-3 a day and the next cut back to 1-2 a day and then just have one a day, try get it so you are only have one every couple days and eventually none.  Good luck with this, I know it will be tough!