Smoking during pregnancy?

[Ramen]

Not everyone should quit cold turkey. People with seizure/tic/certain blood pressure problems need to be monitored and have a quitting plan that utilizes cutting down to zero. I have tics and tried cold turkey years ago only to end up on flexuril for a week because I didn't realize that nicotine patches have been used to treat severe tourettes and I thought my tics had just decreased in severity on their own. Depending on the obstetrician you ask heavy smokers should never quit cold turkey without cutting back heavily first because there's research to suggest heavy smokers going through that sort of shock may put the baby in distress. I'm by no means saying continue smoking your entire pregnancy because of those studies, but tapering down to a safe mark to go cold turkey on for the first two months of pregnancy shouldn't be seen as disgusting some of us are/were just taking our doctor's advice to get down to two cigarettes a day by a certain point and stop smoking afterwards which brings me back to my original advice about OP's friend. Unless she started smoking recently or is heavily smoking she's probably trying to quit and people trying to quit are best helped by a positive atmosphere instead of being harangued by well meaning people.

 

[NewMommy17]

I'm a non-smoker . Well i have smoke before but never during pregnancy i think its wrong because when your smoking your baby is too and its cutting off oxygen . And can cause birth defects i believe ? I commend people who are heavy smokers that cut down and are trying to quit some habits are hard i understand .

 

[Shansam]

Im not a smoker at all.
I wouldnt understand how it feels to be addicted and to try and quit.
I do believe every pregnant woman should try and quit or at least cut right down for the sake of their baby

 

[Marzipan_girl]

I know smoking is bad in pregnancy and in general. But some people cannot cope without it. I mean, wouldn't it be better to smoke then go off the rails? It's different for everyone. And each to their own. But i just think that in some cases it's probably safer for LO stresswise etc if they didn't give up.
I mean Marijuana is much worse, and i've had people trying to tell me it it less harmful for their LO's then Cigarettes.

Thats the most pathetic thing i've heard in a long time.

 

[princess_vix]

Not everyone should quit cold turkey. People with seizure/tic/certain blood pressure problems need to be monitored and have a quitting plan that utilizes cutting down to zero. I have tics and tried cold turkey years ago only to end up on flexuril for a week because I didn't realize that nicotine patches have been used to treat severe tourettes and I thought my tics had just decreased in severity on their own. Depending on the obstetrician you ask heavy smokers should never quit cold turkey without cutting back heavily first because there's research to suggest heavy smokers going through that sort of shock may put the baby in distress. I'm by no means saying continue smoking your entire pregnancy because of those studies, but tapering down to a safe mark to go cold turkey on for the first two months of pregnancy shouldn't be seen as disgusting some of us are/were just taking our doctor's advice to get down to two cigarettes a day by a certain point and stop smoking afterwards which brings me back to my original advice about OP's friend. Unless she started smoking recently or is heavily smoking she's probably trying to quit and people trying to quit are best helped by a positive atmosphere instead of being harangued by well meaning people.

I'm not being rude but did you dr advice you to START smoking to helps tics,blood pressure ect.

And the blood pressure bit is a load of old pants,seeing as smoking CAUSES high blood pressure.

And smoking does NOT relieve stress;

https://www.nhs.uk/Livewell/smoking/Pages/Quitmakingexcuses.aspx

Despite what you may have thought, nicotine doesn't calm you down.
Nicotine cravings between cigarettes make you feel stressed and anxious, so when you smoke the cigarette you feel calmer. But you'll feel less stressed once you quit and don't have cravings any more.

If you want a cigarette, wait for 10 minutes and the craving will usually pass. Take some deep breaths or go for a walk to relieve the stress and distract you from those cravings.

Here are some more stress-busting tips.


PEOPLE SHOULD STOP MAKING EXCUSES TO MAKE THEMSELFS BETTER AND THINK OF THEIR UNBORN BABIES BEFORE SMOKING SOMETHING THAT REDUCES OXYGEN,CAN CAUSE BIRTH DEFECTS AND STILL BIRTH ECT ECT.

 

[Ramen]

No my neurologist didn’t suggest smoking to me at any point and I can’t think of a neurologist that would suggest smoking. I started smoking to calm anxiety which as you mentioned backfires horribly because while it takes care of the initial anxiety it causes withdrawl and craving anxiety the more addicted you get. How they treat tourettes with nicotine is through low dose nicotine patches, and from what I’ve read up on it’s a very attractive option for tourettes sufferers who’ve exhausted their medication options or for whom the side effects of our treatment options outweigh any potential benefits. For example, as we went through various medications in my childhood the last one I took was called Pimozide which doubles as an anti-psychotic for schizophrenics and an anti depressant. I experienced hallucinations and sleep disturbances until it was fully out of my system a month and a half later. After that I gave up on any sort of pill treatment and have been unmedicated with tourettes for the past four years. I’m a bad candidate to use nicotine patches to treat tics because I also have marfan syndrome and need to stay away from the blood pressure problems you mention and so it was never mentioned to me until I saw my neurologist two years ago when my symptoms worsened greatly causing my right shoulder to lock up that the reason my symptoms worsened is because nicotine was treating my tics which brings me back to my earlier point. Not everyone should quit cold turkey. Epileptic smokers can bring on seizures quitting cold turkey, in my case tics can worsen, and while you’re right that smoking raises your blood pressure quitting cold turkey can cause a blood pressure drop that while harmless to most people and beneficial to hypertension sufferers can be terrible for people with hypotension and they need to cut back gradually with monitering. I can think of no reason a doctor would suggest smoking, but can think of at least one instance in which they would prescribe a nicotine substitute. All I’m saying is that light smokers should and can quit cold turkey when pregnant, that research suggests heavy smokers cut down before quitting cold turkey in the first and second trimester, and that those with neurological/vascular problems consult a specialist about their stop smoking options and get monitering. I would never advocate continuing to smoke for any of the reasons listed here because with monitoring and a quitting plan any of these obstacles can be overcome (though in my case only for about six months but that’s my low willpower) I just wanted to reiterate that not everyone should quit cold turkey.

I was thinking of my baby when I quit as soon as I could using the safest way I knew how. 4 became 2 became 1 became once a week to nothing in a short time and I can live with that decision. While my tourettes is now worse than it was when I smoked I was able to avoid what happened the last time I quit cold turkey.

 

[hot tea]

No my neurologist didn’t suggest smoking to me at any point and I can’t think of a neurologist that would suggest smoking. I started smoking to calm anxiety which as you mentioned backfires horribly because while it takes care of the initial anxiety it causes withdrawl and craving anxiety the more addicted you get. How they treat tourettes with nicotine is through low dose nicotine patches, and from what I’ve read up on it’s a very attractive option for tourettes sufferers who’ve exhausted their medication options or for whom the side effects of our treatment options outweigh any potential benefits. For example, as we went through various medications in my childhood the last one I took was called Pimozide which doubles as an anti-psychotic for schizophrenics and an anti depressant. I experienced hallucinations and sleep disturbances until it was fully out of my system a month and a half later. After that I gave up on any sort of pill treatment and have been unmedicated with tourettes for the past four years. I’m a bad candidate to use nicotine patches to treat tics because I also have marfan syndrome and need to stay away from the blood pressure problems you mention and so it was never mentioned to me until I saw my neurologist two years ago when my symptoms worsened greatly causing my right shoulder to lock up that the reason my symptoms worsened is because nicotine was treating my tics which brings me back to my earlier point. Not everyone should quit cold turkey. Epileptic smokers can bring on seizures quitting cold turkey, in my case tics can worsen, and while you’re right that smoking raises your blood pressure quitting cold turkey can cause a blood pressure drop that while harmless to most people and beneficial to hypertension sufferers can be terrible for people with hypotension and they need to cut back gradually with monitering. I can think of no reason a doctor would suggest smoking, but can think of at least one instance in which they would prescribe a nicotine substitute. All I’m saying is that light smokers should and can quit cold turkey when pregnant, that research suggests heavy smokers cut down before quitting cold turkey in the first and second trimester, and that those with neurological/vascular problems consult a specialist about their stop smoking options and get monitering. I would never advocate continuing to smoke for any of the reasons listed here because with monitoring and a quitting plan any of these obstacles can be overcome (though in my case only for about six months but that’s my low willpower) I just wanted to reiterate that not everyone should quit cold turkey.

I was thinking of my baby when I quit as soon as I could using the safest way I knew how. 4 became 2 became 1 became once a week to nothing in a short time and I can live with that decision. While my tourettes is now worse than it was when I smoked I was able to avoid what happened the last time I quit cold turkey.

This was incredibly insightful, thanks for posting this! Puts things in a different light. However it is safe to say the the majority who continue to smoke do it for selfish reasons.

 

[Dalila]

whew! from my personal experience it's alot easier to quit when 1. everyone minds their own business and 2. if more than 90% of your coworkers were also non smokers

for me as soon as i found out i was pregnant i thought to myself okay no more smoking, drinking, painting etc as soon as my work found out (same time i did) it felt like EVERYONE had something to say about smoking it was either

"i smoked through my whole pregnancy and my kid(s) are fine"
"you're harming your baby and you don't even care" (at that time i had already stopped but was tired of people asking me so i said no i didn't quit)
people have put me in harmful situations that can cause the baby harm because "she smokes she doesn't care about her baby"
i had to actually file an equal opportunity complaint because i would be harassed from the time i started working until i got home.

well i quit... my job that is haha i quit smoking along time ago before i even left my job i just couldn't tolerate working around people like that anymore.

after that WHOLE experience at the end of the day it's your baby no matter what you do you will be judged for it or as my old employer would say, everything has a consequence. what a jerk.

 

[samisshort]

I think MOST people can quit cold turkey if they aren't heavily addicted, but usually it is better to cut down. Like to 8 a day, 4 a day, 2 a day, then 1, then none. Or whatever works for them.
I am 16 years old now and started smoking cigarettes when I was 12. And as soon as I found out I was pregnant I went for a smoke and nearly got sick. I'm lucky, because the smell of cigarettes now make me sick. Others unfortunately are not lucky.
I think women who are pregnant, need to definitely keep LO in mind, and REALLY be determined to quit. I figure if I can quit for 6 months, then I can quit for good. I really hope I don't pick up my smoking habit after LO is born. Cigarettes are quite expensive, and instead of buying a $6 pack of cigarettes, that is going on diapers. To anyone who still is smoking but trying to quit for LO, good luck! And congrats to anyone who has already quit!

 

[Shanelley]

I know smoking is bad in pregnancy and in general. But some people cannot cope without it. I mean, wouldn't it be better to smoke then go off the rails? It's different for everyone. And each to their own. But i just think that in some cases it's probably safer for LO stresswise etc if they didn't give up.
I mean Marijuana is much worse, and i've had people trying to tell me it it less harmful for their LO's then Cigarettes.

Please tell me this is a joke right?

You can not cope without a cigarette??? IT's not gonna kill you..I'm a heavy smoker now and was before i fell pregnant and i coped i didnt go off the 'rails'!!!

Jeez i'm sorry but by cutting out smoking is not gonna harm you unborn child and people who thinks this must be ignorant as the facts state on the NHS website cutting out helps your babys blood supply

Firstly. Dont direct nastyness at me. I wasn't even talking about me i was meaning a friend of mine is like this. Don't judge

 

[Shanelley]

i thought opinions were welcome. Why is everyone directing nastyness at me? I didn't do anything except voice my opinion and what i had people telling me. Jeeze

 

[Blizzard]

I'm doing well with the not smoking since I found out, but I'm on nicotine replacement patches as I didn't think I could do it cold turkey, however in my opinion the reason some people say they can't cope is because they try and go cold turkey rather than taking the slightly slower, easier route. Nicotine replacement is not thought to have any negative effects, however it's not completely known. Tt has to be better than smoking and in a few weeks the patches will stop as well.

Everyone has the power to give up completely from day one as there is so much help out there! The patches are great and it means there's no added stress on my body. Also in the uk patches, inhalators and gum etc is free, so there really is no excuse.

Besides my breath smells better .

Best wishes to you all! xx

 

[KiwiMOM]

Hey guys, I asked for opinions and I've found it really helpful reading what everyone has had to say, as I'm sure lurkers and the like have as well.

This is quite a controversial subject and while everyone IS entitled to their own opinion lets keep it friendly

Thanks to all who have replied

 

[youngmummy94]

i thought opinions were welcome. Why is everyone directing nastyness at me? I didn't do anything except voice my opinion and what i had people telling me. Jeeze

Well I guess everyone else is just voicing their opinions as well. Just when someone says "Oh its better to smoke while pregnant then to be stressed'' people are gonna say something.

 

[immie]

Before i start, i'd like to apologise in advance if what i say sounds very opinionated or rude. But to everyone who says "Oh but smoking is fine it relieves stress, if i stop it'll stress out the baby too" what a sh*t excuse. Cigarettes themselves don't relieve stress, it's the breathing technique you use when inahling/exhaling that atually relieves stress. So take a few deep breaths, there's no excuse really.

A lot of people aren't going to like this, but i think your willingness and ability to quit smoking is a good indicator of how much you care about, and love your baby. Not saying pregnant smokers don't love their baby, but seriously, how much can you REALLY care about your baby and it's health if you're putting your "stress levels" and "need for a cigarette" as top priority, rather than baby's health. Just doesn't look good really in my opinion. Not judging anyone though, just giving my opinion.

MY STORY is that i smoked about 15 a day for 7 years so was very much addicted, the second i got my BFP that was it, cold turkey. Before i was preg i tried giving up about 50+ times but NEVER succeeded. But my BFP gave me all the motivation i needed because baby is #1 priority for me xxx

 

[babyjan]

I totally agree, I really believe that there is no good enough excuse to be smoking while pregnant, your child's health should be your main concern!

 

[LovingYou]

i think smoking during pregnancy is extremely irresponsible. Your child's health should be your #1 concern. I think its disgusting when i see a pregnant woman walking down the street smoking. Just my opinion.

 

[kittycat18]

I smoked pre pregnancy and I smoke now. I quit whilst I was pregnant. I had a handful through my pregnancy whilst quitting. Couldn't resist when Lucia was born though

It's only 9 months... You can smoke again when your LO arrives!

 

[Marzipan_girl]

I smoked pre pregnancy and I smoke now. I quit whilst I was pregnant. I had a handful through my pregnancy whilst quitting. Couldn't resist when Lucia was born though

It's only 9 months... You can smoke again when your LO arrives!

Just not in close proximity to LO I'd hope

 

[kittycat18]

I smoked pre pregnancy and I smoke now. I quit whilst I was pregnant. I had a handful through my pregnancy whilst quitting. Couldn't resist when Lucia was born though

It's only 9 months... You can smoke again when your LO arrives!

Just not in close proximity to LO I'd hope

No. At the beginning.