Quitting smoking in pregnancy

Lucyjo81 · Apr 15th, 2012, 15:26 PM

Hi Ladies,

I am just posting to see if i can get some help, tips and advice.

I have been smoking ever since i was 13 and now im pregnant i really really want to quit as i know the harmful effects it has on both me and the baby. However at the moment im finding it really difficult, im going though a fairly hormonal stage where im getting stressed out and upset over the little things and that just makes me want to light up as it chills me out.

I have cut down a lot, i was smoking atleast 20 a day and now im smoking under 10 and some days none.

I was just wondering if any of you had any advice on how i can deal with the stress and to keep my mind off having a cigarette? I know its really bad for the baby, i feel guilty every time i light up, im just having a tough time at the moment.

Thanks, Lucy xx

ToniT · Apr 15th, 2012, 15:36 PM

i was exactly the same as you,been smoking for 10 years between 10-20 a day but ive packed it in,by no means was it easy! but i havent touched a ciggy for about 6 or so weeks now,i just weaned myself off slowly and tried to avoid being round "temptation" ie friends that smoked, i started knitting to keep my hands busy lol but if you cant knit try a colouring book, i know it sounds silly but it really does help! ive got one,keeps your hands busy and your mind focused. i even brought sweets to have in exchange for when i wanted a ciggy lol, its very very hard but if your determined enough you'll do it! x

Sproglet · Apr 15th, 2012, 15:38 PM

Have you spoken to your GP or midwife? I am not sure if NRT is allowed in pregnancy but they will tell you.

Also you could look into electronic cigarettes- my boyfriend used one of these to quit last year, it's the closest thing to smoking without actually lighting up. You can even buy ones with no nicotine or anything, just smoke flavour, so that might help?

By the way,I finally quit for good last year so I know how hard it is, I spent 6 months gradually cutting down but I guess you don't have that luxury. And I was diagnosed with a health condition that was made worse by smoking, and I still struggled with quitting!

But you could try making your goal 'to have less cigarettes today than yesterday' because then you don't feel like such a failure when you do light up. And there isn't that 'well I've had a cigarette now,I may as well quit tomorrow'. Even if you stub your last one out only 1/2 way down,so you have 9 1/2 instead of 10 it's a step in the right direction.

Good luck!

Lucyjo81 · Apr 15th, 2012, 15:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ToniT

i was exactly the same as you,been smoking for 10 years between 10-20 a day but ive packed it in,by no means was it easy! but i havent touched a ciggy for about 6 or so weeks now,i just weaned myself off slowly and tried to avoid being round "temptation" ie friends that smoked, i started knitting to keep my hands busy lol but if you cant knit try a colouring book, i know it sounds silly but it really does help! ive got one,keeps your hands busy and your mind focused. i even brought sweets to have in exchange for when i wanted a ciggy lol, its very very hard but if your determined enough you'll do it! x

Thanks for the reply

I like the idea of knitting, i will have to learn, but im sure that would keep me busy!

What im finding hard is being around people who smoke which is my OH and the rest of my family. As soon as they light up the temptation comes straight back again. Ive been carrying around a bag of starburts and nibbling at them when i get a craving but its harder said than done lol.

Well done for being able to kick the habbit, it gives me hope

xx

Lucyjo81 · Apr 15th, 2012, 15:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sproglet

Have you spoken to your GP or midwife? I am not sure if NRT is allowed in pregnancy but they will tell you.

Also you could look into electronic cigarettes- my boyfriend used one of these to quit last year, it's the closest thing to smoking without actually lighting up. You can even buy ones with no nicotine or anything, just smoke flavour, so that might help?

By the way,I finally quit for good last year so I know how hard it is, I spent 6 months gradually cutting down but I guess you don't have that luxury. And I was diagnosed with a health condition that was made worse by smoking, and I still struggled with quitting!

But you could try making your goal 'to have less cigarettes today than yesterday' because then you don't feel like such a failure when you do light up. And there isn't that 'well I've had a cigarette now,I may as well quit tomorrow'. Even if you stub your last one out only 1/2 way down,so you have 9 1/2 instead of 10 it's a step in the right direction.

Good luck!

Thank you

I hadnt thought of the electric cigarettes, so i shall look into them.

I saw my midwife yesterday and told her i smoke etc but she didnt actually seem that bothered :/ I see her again on the 23rd, so i shall speak to her again.

Maybe i should keep a tab on how many im smoking a day and each day take away one, then eventually i will completely quit.

xx

edthedog · Apr 15th, 2012, 15:50 PM

I feel your pain - I have smoked for years, gave up straight away with my son but stupidly started again after he was born and kicked myself every day for doing it.

As soon as I got this BFP I gave up again. It was hard for the first few days but then hyperemesis kicked in and even seeing someone else smoking on tv makes me vom!

You can use NRT in pregnancy as it is seen as a better alternative to smoking but using nothing at all is the best.

I really know how hard it is but if you read about the increased risk of SIDS and stuff it might 'help' if you get what I mean.

Good luck xxxx

sara2012 · Apr 15th, 2012, 15:51 PM

Hey there
Have you tried hypnosis? I was also a smoker but more a social one so without a drink in my hand I am in no need of a cigarette and am using these 9 months to kick the social habit so I never pick one up again. I haven't smoked since I found up but I know it must be super hard if you are a lot more addicted. Anyways, do soe good Internet research on reputable hypnotists in your area, it's safe for you and baba and a few of my good friend who were heavily addicted gave up after one session. Good luck!

sara2012 · Apr 15th, 2012, 15:53 PM

Ps excuse typos I'm on an iPad still getting used to typing on it lol

ToniT · Apr 15th, 2012, 15:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lucyjo81

Quote:

Originally Posted by ToniT

i was exactly the same as you,been smoking for 10 years between 10-20 a day but ive packed it in,by no means was it easy! but i havent touched a ciggy for about 6 or so weeks now,i just weaned myself off slowly and tried to avoid being round "temptation" ie friends that smoked, i started knitting to keep my hands busy lol but if you cant knit try a colouring book, i know it sounds silly but it really does help! ive got one,keeps your hands busy and your mind focused. i even brought sweets to have in exchange for when i wanted a ciggy lol, its very very hard but if your determined enough you'll do it! x

Thanks for the reply

I like the idea of knitting, i will have to learn, but im sure that would keep me busy!

What im finding hard is being around people who smoke which is my OH and the rest of my family. As soon as they light up the temptation comes straight back again. Ive been carrying around a bag of starburts and nibbling at them when i get a craving but its harder said than done lol.

Well done for being able to kick the habbit, it gives me hope

xx

i only learned how to knit last year,got my mom to show cus shes brilliant at it,im terrible tho,will take me a year to knit a scarf and my mom a week lol,if you know someone who knows ask them to teach you, or crocheting? id love how to learn to do that but its hard!

lol
My OH smoked aswell but luckily quit with me, he still has a sly one once in a while but outside,tbh im really glad we quit when we did tho cus the price of them went up again didnt it! they cost a bomb now! and its much needed money towards baby.
In my oppinion the 1st 3 days are the hardest! if you can do that you'll slowly notice yourself becoming less bothered and the nicotene leaving your system.Id still kill for a ciggy sometimes (like now just talking about them) lol but i know i wont,its not worth it, seconds of pleasure for hours of guilt?
Like others have said try weaning off each day at a time, then 5 become 3 and 3 become 1 and next thing you know you havent touched one for days.
Hope you can do it! keep us posted on how your doing

x

jaggers · Apr 15th, 2012, 15:59 PM

Something I did when I was trying to quit is if I let myself smoke it was always less than a whole one, (prefer less than half) and always at a time/place I usually wouldn't. There were triggers like right after a meal, right before/after work, etc and I'd make myself wait an hour or so. That way it wasn't a 'normal' time. I also only puffed enough to make the want to kill go away.

Good luck and I'm glad you're trying!!!!!!

Apr 15th, 2012, 15:26 PM	#1
Lucyjo81 Mum (Mom) Active BnB Member Join Date: Apr 2012 Location: Devon Posts: 667	Quitting smoking in pregnancy Hi Ladies, I am just posting to see if i can get some help, tips and advice. I have been smoking ever since i was 13 and now im pregnant i really really want to quit as i know the harmful effects it has on both me and the baby. However at the moment im finding it really difficult, im going though a fairly hormonal stage where im getting stressed out and upset over the little things and that just makes me want to light up as it chills me out. I have cut down a lot, i was smoking atleast 20 a day and now im smoking under 10 and some days none. I was just wondering if any of you had any advice on how i can deal with the stress and to keep my mind off having a cigarette? I know its really bad for the baby, i feel guilty every time i light up, im just having a tough time at the moment. Thanks, Lucy xx

Status: Offline

Apr 15th, 2012, 15:36 PM	#2
ToniT Mum (Mom) Active BnB Member Join Date: Feb 2012 Location: UK Walsall, west midlands Posts: 362	i was exactly the same as you,been smoking for 10 years between 10-20 a day but ive packed it in,by no means was it easy! but i havent touched a ciggy for about 6 or so weeks now,i just weaned myself off slowly and tried to avoid being round "temptation" ie friends that smoked, i started knitting to keep my hands busy lol but if you cant knit try a colouring book, i know it sounds silly but it really does help! ive got one,keeps your hands busy and your mind focused. i even brought sweets to have in exchange for when i wanted a ciggy lol, its very very hard but if your determined enough you'll do it! x

Status: Offline

Apr 15th, 2012, 15:38 PM	#3
Sproglet Mum (Mom) BnB Addict Join Date: Mar 2012 Posts: 3,298	Have you spoken to your GP or midwife? I am not sure if NRT is allowed in pregnancy but they will tell you. Also you could look into electronic cigarettes- my boyfriend used one of these to quit last year, it's the closest thing to smoking without actually lighting up. You can even buy ones with no nicotine or anything, just smoke flavour, so that might help? By the way,I finally quit for good last year so I know how hard it is, I spent 6 months gradually cutting down but I guess you don't have that luxury. And I was diagnosed with a health condition that was made worse by smoking, and I still struggled with quitting! But you could try making your goal 'to have less cigarettes today than yesterday' because then you don't feel like such a failure when you do light up. And there isn't that 'well I've had a cigarette now,I may as well quit tomorrow'. Even if you stub your last one out only 1/2 way down,so you have 9 1/2 instead of 10 it's a step in the right direction. Good luck!

Status: Offline

Apr 15th, 2012, 15:50 PM	#6
edthedog Mum (Mom) Active BnB Member Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: Essex, UK Posts: 712	I feel your pain - I have smoked for years, gave up straight away with my son but stupidly started again after he was born and kicked myself every day for doing it. As soon as I got this BFP I gave up again. It was hard for the first few days but then hyperemesis kicked in and even seeing someone else smoking on tv makes me vom! You can use NRT in pregnancy as it is seen as a better alternative to smoking but using nothing at all is the best. I really know how hard it is but if you read about the increased risk of SIDS and stuff it might 'help' if you get what I mean. Good luck xxxx

Status: Offline

Apr 15th, 2012, 15:51 PM	#7
sara2012 Pregnant (Expecting) Active BnB Member Join Date: Mar 2012 Posts: 204	Hey there Have you tried hypnosis? I was also a smoker but more a social one so without a drink in my hand I am in no need of a cigarette and am using these 9 months to kick the social habit so I never pick one up again. I haven't smoked since I found up but I know it must be super hard if you are a lot more addicted. Anyways, do soe good Internet research on reputable hypnotists in your area, it's safe for you and baba and a few of my good friend who were heavily addicted gave up after one session. Good luck!

Status: Offline

Apr 15th, 2012, 15:53 PM	#8
sara2012 Pregnant (Expecting) Active BnB Member Join Date: Mar 2012 Posts: 204	Ps excuse typos I'm on an iPad still getting used to typing on it lol

Status: Offline

Apr 15th, 2012, 15:59 PM	#10
jaggers Pregnant (Expecting) Active BnB Member Join Date: Mar 2012 Posts: 267	Something I did when I was trying to quit is if I let myself smoke it was always less than a whole one, (prefer less than half) and always at a time/place I usually wouldn't. There were triggers like right after a meal, right before/after work, etc and I'd make myself wait an hour or so. That way it wasn't a 'normal' time. I also only puffed enough to make the want to kill go away. Good luck and I'm glad you're trying!!!!!!

Status: Offline

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