Women smoking while pregnant? And why yahoo answerers seem to think its ok ?

Question

So my new manager at work is pregnant she is constantly leaving the store for a smoke break several times throughout her shift. Both her and her boyfriend smoke. They are about 25. I am like literally disgusted with how they smoke so much and are expecting a child. Yuck! I am just like that baby must stink so bad. Then I go on yahoo answers to see what what some people think http://ca.answers.yahoo.com/question/index?qid=20080806032300AAx9soU and I was disgusted to find out that the lot of people here promote the idea that it's harmless to smoke while pregnant. Just one of the questions I found up above has the one person who actually got it right has a thumbs down; the one that said retardation could be one of the symptons. According to everything I am reading from medical sources, there are serious risks if you smoke while pregnant

http://health.discovery.com/centers/pregnancy/americanbaby/smoking.html

http://www.cdphe.state.co.us/pp/womens/obsmoking/SmokingWhilePregnant.html

Answer 1

it is not good for a baby..i agree!! but it is none of your f***ing business what she is doing with her body!..so stop bagging on her..if you dont like it tell her! or just stay out of it altogether

Answer 2

The people who say it's okay are wrong, as you know.  Just because they may know of a situation where the baby "turned out okay" doesn't mean it will be okay...and what kind of parent just wants their child to be "okay" anyway?  Don't they want the BEST for their child?  I think a lot of people have that teenage "it can't happen to me" mentality when in reality it can happen to them and their innocent child.  It's nine-ten months, for crying out loud.  I quit smoking after 8 years without the motivation of being pregnant.  I just made up my mind that I would no longer smoke and it's been two and a half years now and I have no desire whatsoever to do it again.  People say it's so hard, but it's a lot easier to not do something than it is to do something, in actuality. (and now people will give me thumbs down--oh well)  I have seen women who are 8 months pregnant smoking and I can't understand how they're not embarrassed as h**l.  

If anything is wrong with my baby, I will be able to honestly say I did everything I could to give her a good and healthy start in life.

Answer 3

First of all, I don't think a 'lot of people' here think it's harmless. Looking at the question you linked, there was ONE thumbs down on a lot of questions -- probably the same ONE person TD'd everyone -- either just for fun, or because SHE is a smoker and didn't believe it was harmful.

FAR more common here are the more hysterical "How can you even THINK of smoking -- don't you know you're going to kill your baby!" responses.

The reality of the situation is that smoking is harmful. It's harmful to adults, and to fetuses, and to babies.  But nicotine is also just about THE most addictive drug known to man. (And, like most addictions, depending on the way our brains are wired, we may be more or less suscptible to the addictiveness.)  So, for most smokers, 'just quitting' isn't really an options.  Sure, maybe you, or someone you know, 'just quit' the day they pee'd on the stick, but YOUR brain was probably one of those less heavily wired for addiction.

If a smoker can quit, that's wonderful.  If she can't quit, it's good to cut down as much as possible.  If even that isn't possible -- nobody can do more than her best, and screaming at her won't make a difference.  

Answer 4

I agree that smoking is very dangerous while pregnant.

I had a manager once that smoked and she was a couples months along before she found out she was pregnant and the doctors told her to cut back but not to quit because that could do more harm to the baby than smoking.

Every situation is unique but if you know you could get pregnant you shoudln't smoke or drink.

Answer 5

Those studies are only done on women that smoke a pack or two a day.

Same with FAS.. If you drink one beer during pregnancy that probably isn't going to happen.  THe study is done on women who drink 6 or more alcoholic beverages a day.

Some women don't smoke and their babies have problems, some women do smoke and their babies are healthy. It just depends really.

No one is allowed to judge others.  I'm sure you weren't perfect during pregnancy.  No one is.

I done know I'm going to get thumbs down for this but it doesn't matter because it is true.  You never know?  

What if you did everything you were supposed to do yet your baby was born with a defect?  Would you go off and remember that ONE THING that you did wrong?  Probably not.

Answer 6

and how is it that the baby must smell exactly?

its their choice if they smoke or not, im sure she doesnt judge u on choices youve made

Answer 7

I agree that its very harmful to smoke when preg.  I know that I stressed out when I found out that both of my younger step sis didnt stop while preg.  I got all mad and told them they were gonna give the baby problems.

I know that the docs will tell you to not quit cold turkey, it can cause problems also.  so you have to do it gradually, but quickly.

Other wise People have relized that supporting the quitting idea is better than pushing people away by trying to ride their case about quitting if its just gonna stress the preg person out.

So being supportive and letting them know how you feel and then not nagging seems to be better than nagging and causing problems with family.

Answer 8

I agree.  Why would someone continue their own selfish habit when they KNOW it harms their babies?  I know of a lady who refused to quit smoking while pregnant.  She had five kids.  One turned out kind of normal.  One came out with severly deformed arms.  Another has severe developmental delays and must go to a "special" school.  The other two are ADD and ADHD and need to be on meds.  They have varying degrees of asthma and are ill all the time.  WHY would someone do this to their kids?

I have a coworker who continues to smoke while pregnant because she claims it is more harmful to quit because of the stress. I think it is complete c**p that doctors are handing out false information.  Its like saying its okay to have a few glasses of wine every day, or smoke a few joints!

Answer 9

I understand your frustration, however #1. Its truely their business.  #2. Thank God you will be a better parent #3. Healthy women have children with mental and physical handicaps daily.  I have met women that smoked a lot during their pregnancy and had a large healthy baby.  My friend who is a health nut doesn't smoke, won't be in the same room with smoke, and ate right and did everything by the book and doctors orders, however her daughter was born weighing 2 lbs , a heart defect and only lived to the age of 6 months old.  Her sister smoked, and took pills and had a healthy baby that is 6 years old without any medical problems and is on honor roll at school!  Its not that people are condoning smoking while pregnant its just a personal choice and it is theirs to make.  Hopefully no more than 5 a day, but that is their business and their risk they take!  

Answer 10

It is dangerous to smoke when pregnant, it does not cause retardation, it can actually make ur baby die in ur womb as it blocks the flow of oxygen

I smoked when i was pregnant, i cut down admittidly, and eventually gave up when my OB told me the damge that had been done smoking 5 or 6 a day i dont have an opinion each to their own

Answer 11

Nothing gets you in trouble faster on YA than making any kind of sensible suggestion about pregnancy.  Some of these people just aren't too bright.  The fact that this manager and her boyfriend will undoubtedly smoke around their child after it's born is not good.  That can cause all kinds of health issues for the child.

Now, granted, in the old days, women smoked while they were pregnant because they were not aware of the dangers, and there were no ill effects to the baby.  My mother smoked during all three of her pregnancies, and my sisters and I were fine.  But now, knowing what we know, it's irresponsible, and it makes me wonder what kind of mother this person willl be, if she doesn't put her child above her own wants and needs.  

Edit:  I do want to add that it's not right to nag anyone about it, but that's not your question here.  And, frankly, I don't understand why cigarettes are even legal.  Many products and medications have been banned, taken off the market, for causing far fewer health problems--and deaths--than smoking does.

Answer 12

i dont think its ok.

i think its a very real risk, and pregnant women who choose to take the risk are either incredibly selfish, or incredibly stupid.

ive read answers saying, well my mother smoked with me and im ok, or i smoked with all 3 of my kids and they are ok.... what??? get a grip!!! you were lucky, nothing else. and those who do have babies with problems will be the first to feel sorry for themselves. i have sympathy only for the baby who didnt choose to ingest nicotine cos mummy just couldnt kick the habit.

if i was to hand my daughter a cigarette when she is 10, social services would withdraw her from my care. but its ok for a pregnant woman to force this poison on her unborn child.

as someone who has had 2 babys taken from her, it makes me sick to think that people are so incredibly selfish to disregard the health and life of their baby.

Answer 13

I feel the same way! I am HORRIFIED to see pregnant women smoking! Im sorry but its a very SELFISH thing to do! I do believe I have a right to say so because I was a heavy smoker when I found out I was pregnant. I quit cold turkey right away. I could NEVER live with myself if my baby had some sort of problem because of something I did!  

It also disgusts me to see a women holding the hand of a small child or pushing a carriage with a baby in it while smoking. Ugh I just want to smack these people!!  I actually pulled upside a van yesturday with a women smoking and she had 2 or 3 young kids in the back!! Only her window was cracked a bit! I couldnt believe it! I was seriously about to say something but the light turned green and she sped off. It made me so sad to see that!

Answer 14

I smoked for 7 long years ( started young ) and the MOMENT I found out I was pregnant I quit....my daughter is 7.5 months old now and I still never plan on touching another cigarette.  I want her to grow up in a smoke free house and not go to school smelling like cigarettes and old smoke, it stinks!  Plus don't people care that there baby is trying to breath and getting a lung full of smoke.  Also it has said to contribute to SIDS in an infant and asthma, why would anybody risk that!? ewww to all the women that smoke while pregnant, have some class, jeeez.

OH, BTW, Smoking was SO hard for me to give up and people asked me how I quit cold turkey, but I said every time I thought about reaching for one I just touched my tummy and said NO WAY.

Answer 15

The people who say that smoking while pregnant have no effects are the people who do it. They are trying to justify it and feel better.

That being said I am sure it isn't easy to quit and I try not to judge people who do smoke. If your at least trying that is great, but don't come on here and tell other women it is okay to smoke while pregnant. These people are convincing other women to keep smoking by saying it is okay and won't cause any harm. Both my mom and dad quit smoking cold turkey so it is possible.

My mom smoked with all four of her kids and we were all born early. My brother was born 9 weeks early. There are also studies that show smoking during a pregnancy can make your daughters more likely to have miscarriage when they grow up and get pregnant. And having suffered from miscarriage that I sometimes wonder if that had anything to do with it.

Answer 16

I was a 15 a day smoker when I fell pregnant with my first, and the doctor told me its better to cut down then quit as stress could be more harmful for the baby. So I cut down to a few a day, and have perfectly healthy kids.  I don't recommend smoking whist pregnnat, yes its bad, and yes it may harm your baby, but upon asking several doctors, they all said a few a day should have no effect

In my opinion, what I did was alot better then some woman you see taking drugs, having alcohol, or still smoking like a chimney