How much does smoking affect fertility?

[Janesworld]

I'm a smoker. I hate it, I wish I could stop, but I just CAN'T until I see those double lines.

So I'm wondering.... how much is this affecting my fertility? Could it be the reason I haven't become pregnant yet? Anybody know?

 

[mummyvikki]

I think this alot
I wished i could stop i mean ive cut down a hell of alot
x

 

[mrs_lukey]

I'm not sure what affect on fertility it has but I'm sure that it can't be good hun.

Please do try to give up before you actually get a positive result!! The first two weeks of development are the very most important and in that time you wouldn't know you're pregnant!!

My best friend said she'd give up when she got pregnant but she's now 4 months gone and still smoking; I know it isn't my place to judge but I think it's so selfish because that little baby hasn't asked to smoke!! Every time you have a cigarette when pregnant it cuts off the oxygen supply to your baby for approximately 3 seconds and it only receives toxins in that time

 

[babygirlhall]

Yes, have a little look at this


https://www.fertilityexpert.co.uk/CanSmokingAffectFertility.html

 

[Braven05]

I right there with you girly...wish I could quit but haven't the motivation. I will quit when I see those two lines. I know it won't be easy but I've quit cold turkey for 4 years before so I've no doubt that I will quit once I know I'm pregnant. Would never smoke while pregnant. I also wonder how much it *really* affects fertility, as both OH and I smoke.

 

[Janesworld]

With my son I quit the minute I found out (he was a suprise) and never thought twice about it. I was so wrapped up in "baby world" that I could have cared less that I couldn't smoke anymore.

I too had a friend that smoked- throughout her entire pregnancy. And it really affected our friendship, because I found it hard to be around her when she was doing it. Then I was there for the birth, and I saw this little tiny baby, born one month early with respritory issues.... it was really sad and I haven't seen her since.... that's not the only reason, but it played a part...

Anyways, I guess my reasoning is that in the first week of pregnancy, there really isn't a fetus to harm... which could be naive of me... I think someone posted a link, I"ll have to check it out...

 

[mrsessex]

Well I fell pregnant easy with my first baby and was a 20 a day smoker then when I was 22 from the age of bout 16. Didnt affect my fertility however i wasnt trying for a baby either but if I was..I would have given up there and then

Im no preacher as been a smoker myself so know HOW hard it is to give up

xxxx

Ex smoker of 6 years now x

 

[babyhopes2010]

smoking does effect fertlity and also can be added cause of miscarriage.
i gave up 3 october and im so pleased! you can do it

 

[mrs_lukey]

Well I fell pregnant easy with my first baby and was a 20 a day smoker then when I was 22 from the age of bout 16. Didnt affect my fertility however i wasnt trying for a baby either but if I was..I would have given up there and then

Im no preacher as been a smoker myself so know HOW hard it is to give up

xxxx

Ex smoker of 6 years now x

I'm also an ex-smoker. I don't mean to preach but I think if you want to give a baby a good start then that should be your goal to help you quit!xx

 

[kellymarie86]

I fell preg at 16. I was a smoker on about 10 per day. I tried to quit but had no luck that's what i craved. So by 6 months preg i was on 30 per day. Nurse knew and gave me extra scan to check baby was fine as was worried baby would be small. Anyway scans was fine, super infact. Small was not an issue by this point it was big now as was predicted my baby girl would be 10lbs plus.......... Yes member i was only 16. Gob smacked. Anyway she arrived into the world a healthy. 8lbs 3. Im not saying it's good to smoke but a craving is hard to ignore and as mine was a fag it was bad........
Im a smoker too on my 1st month of ttc and i have cut down, And plan to quit.

 

[Feisty Fidget]

This is always a bit of a touchy subject whenever it comes up in the ttc forums. I personally do not agree with smoking whilst pregnant or even ttc as the toxins will reach LO before you even realise your pregnant - that said I do understand the difficulties of giving up. TTC is stressful enough and it is natural for smokers to feel that they are unable to give up smoking during this time. The facts however dictate that fertility is affected by smoking and the baby is put at risk from respiratory problems, lower birth weight, premature labour and future health complications.

https://www.netdoctor.co.uk/health_advice/facts/pregnantsmoking.htm

 

[Mommy2be20]

Ah, I was just wondering this today as well ! I'm a smoker of 15 max a day, OH also smokes. I want to quit because doctors said smoking in my unplanned pregnancy may have caused my ectopic (but apparently smoking is the cause of everything bad). Either way, it's best to quit when TTC or pregnant, but we all know, this TTC game is stressful and what better to calm the nerves than have a good old smoke
Good luck ladies and to you all

 

[Holpop]

I had my last at 11.55pm on New Year's Eve & so far, so good. It hasn't been easy but at the same time, it's been surprisingly ok. I know exactly what you mean about this TTC game being stressful & calming the nerves with a good old smoke works a treat but i'm determined.

I came off the BCP last Jan, we WTWP for 6x months before actively TTC since June. I'm hoping that 2011 is the year & i figured that my habit wasn't helping matters. I smoked for 19 years & in the last 3x years, i cut down from 20x a day to between 5-10x a day. I went cold turkey at midnight & to help matters, i threw out all traces of ciggie based things (lighters, ashtrays, etc). Airwaves chewing gum seems to be doing the trick & i'm feeling positive.

With regard to fertility, my Doc has referred me for blood tests to see if i've any problems & i'm waiting for my AF to arrive at the mo. I'm hoping it doesn't arrive & i'll just have to wait & see!

For all the smokers on here who are apprehensive about giving quitting a go - try it & see how you get on. I thought i'd be rubbish & i know it's only early days for me, but it's going better than i thought! x

 

[justonexxx]

I had my last at 11.55pm on New Year's Eve & so far, so good. It hasn't been easy but at the same time, it's been surprisingly ok. I know exactly what you mean about this TTC game being stressful & calming the nerves with a good old smoke works a treat but i'm determined.

I came off the BCP last Jan, we WTWP for 6x months before actively TTC since June. I'm hoping that 2011 is the year & i figured that my habit wasn't helping matters. I smoked for 19 years & in the last 3x years, i cut down from 20x a day to between 5-10x a day. I went cold turkey at midnight & to help matters, i threw out all traces of ciggie based things (lighters, ashtrays, etc). Airwaves chewing gum seems to be doing the trick & i'm feeling positive.

With regard to fertility, my Doc has referred me for blood tests to see if i've any problems & i'm waiting for my AF to arrive at the mo. I'm hoping it doesn't arrive & i'll just have to wait & see!

For all the smokers on here who are apprehensive about giving quitting a go - try it & see how you get on. I thought i'd be rubbish & i know it's only early days for me, but it's going better than i thought! x

I quit new years eve too its really hard but having trouble ttc so I believe smoking isn't helping! My sister got pregnant as a smoker (3 times!) and smoked throughout, although they came out healthy they've always got colds and flus and one of them has been in hospital twice with bronchitis. the silly thing is she moans at anyone who smokes near them now... the damage is already done. I believe its bad to smoke, although its hard its best to give up I KNOW I'm on day 2 of giving up!

 

[Holpop]

Justone - i reckon we'll have a good go at this! I like your smiley with guns & see what you mean. I've had 2x moments that've stood out. Yesterday, i really fancied one after my T & today i headed out in the car & loved the smell of stale smoke! Are you going cold turkey too or are you taking some form of NRT? If cold turkey, try Airwaves - it seems to be doing the trick. Good luck, x

 

[Nickij]

Personally I would try to give up before you are pregnant if you can. I currently have a friend who is 15 weeks and is trying but can't yet give up.

My gave up a couple of years before TTC, but my OH only gave up once we started personally I do think it was the fact I got caught so quick that kept him on track. He has now not smoked for 2 years after smoking from the age of 8 until he was 33. He tried to give up many times before with various NRT, but what really worked in the end was the drug called Champix. He said it was like witch craft! I am not sure if you can take this if you are TTC/Pregnant though.

I am not sure how much it affect fertility, but I do know that if you smoke you have a greater chance of having an early miscarriage - which is another reason to try and give up earlier

 

[justonexxx]

Justone - i reckon we'll have a good go at this! I like your smiley with guns & see what you mean. I've had 2x moments that've stood out. Yesterday, i really fancied one after my T & today i headed out in the car & loved the smell of stale smoke! Are you going cold turkey too or are you taking some form of NRT? If cold turkey, try Airwaves - it seems to be doing the trick. Good luck, x

Cold Turkey! Yeah I miss the one after my tea
Its really hard couldn't get to sleep until 5am!!!
I could do with some friendly support and encouragement, Im chewing normal wrigleys extra but its distracting me!

Good Luck to you too xxxx
I'll give you support!

 

[justonexxx]

I had my last at 11.55pm on New Year's Eve & so far, so good. It hasn't been easy but at the same time, it's been surprisingly ok. I know exactly what you mean about this TTC game being stressful & calming the nerves with a good old smoke works a treat but i'm determined.

I came off the BCP last Jan, we WTWP for 6x months before actively TTC since June. I'm hoping that 2011 is the year & i figured that my habit wasn't helping matters. I smoked for 19 years & in the last 3x years, i cut down from 20x a day to between 5-10x a day. I went cold turkey at midnight & to help matters, i threw out all traces of ciggie based things (lighters, ashtrays, etc). Airwaves chewing gum seems to be doing the trick & i'm feeling positive.

With regard to fertility, my Doc has referred me for blood tests to see if i've any problems & i'm waiting for my AF to arrive at the mo. I'm hoping it doesn't arrive & i'll just have to wait & see!

For all the smokers on here who are apprehensive about giving quitting a go - try it & see how you get on. I thought i'd be rubbish & i know it's only early days for me, but it's going better than i thought! x

Im contacting the doctor tomorrow to investigate possible fertility probs??? Not sure where to begin. Bit worried thats part of the reason i quit i know the doctor will tell me to quit smoking if Im having trouble conceiving!!!

 

[Holpop]

Nickij - i completely agree with you, re/ quitting before you get pregnant so as to eliminate all possible harm. Also, when considering that there's a greater chance of miscarriage, i had a chemical back in August & it does make me wonder.

A couple of my friends quit using Champix too & they found it relatively easy. From what i've read though, you can't use it when TTC - that's something i was looking at. I figured that i'd try cold turkey for a number of reasons & so far, so good.

Justone - i didn't miss one after my T tonight but i really struggled to sleep last night too. I've read that a good thing to do is carry a bottle of cold water & have a swig if you feel the need for a ciggie coming on. I haven't tried it yet but i'm keeping it in the reserve tank! I could defo do with extra support so count me in too! How long have you been TTC for? I mentioned my concerns to my Doc before Christmas & she was v supportive. She suggested doing blood tests to investigate if i have any problems & said that we'd go from there. She said that it was better to know than not. I hope contact with your Doc goes smoothly tomorrow & that you get to sleep before 5am tonight!!! x

 

[babyhopes2010]

i quit 3 months ago i was on 30 cigerettes a day
If u want a baby bad enough u will quit!
im joining the gym tues,so next goal is lose 3 stone
well done on the ladies quitting! I feel 1000x better now im smoke free