Help with smoking

[emilyhug]

Hi. Just wondering if anyone out there has any good tips for giving up smoking. I am 21 weeks pregnant and always said that if I was pregnant I would give up but although i have cut down I am sad to say that I haven't given up completely. I'm fed up of people telling me to stop but I really need some practical advice on how to do this.
I'm fine at home, can not smoke all day but I have a very boring job where I work 10hrs on my own and can't help but have a few ciggies to help while away the time.
Please help.

[shell]

hi i just stopped with nothing to help me at all but its not easy . i have not had a smoke for about 3 weeks now . so good luck with it and just keep thinking that you can do it . I didnt smoke when i was having my baby so that may be a bit hard for you but you can do it . :)


kylie mum of chloe 6 and a half months

[WeThree]

hi emilyhug, i nearly died from smoking, @ only 26 yrs of age, I tell this story to anyonr who will listen(and even those who wont :) ) because i cannot stress enough the importance of not smoking, i was so blessed to be given a second chance, but you may not be so lucky. do whatever it takes to give up now! che gum, lollies, i found in the past those nicabate cq lozenges help(still not great when you are pregnannt, but better than smoking) even if your baby is not harmed in the long run from your smoking, YOU will be, and what will happen to your child if something happens to you. sorry but i get so upset every time i think of how i nearly left my babies in this world all alone, without their mummy. i find drinking lots of water always helps a craving to pass quicker, as i said do whatever it takes, and try and think of yourself not as a smoker who is trying to quit, but rather simply as a nonsmoker. good luck!! :)

[Jayne]

Hi Emilyhug,
I was in exactly the same situation as you are last July. I was 20 weeks pregnant and still smoking, even though I had cut down to only a couple a day. I gave up smoking one day, and the next I was smoking again.
I received bad looks and comments from everyone, but still couldn't seem to give it up. I swore I would give up as soon as I got pregnant, but it seemed even harder being told I had to give up!
It wasn't until I went for my scan at 21 weeks I finally gave up for good! I had a cigarette after my scan because I was so happy and excited, I was shaking! The next day I said, "no more cigarettes" because I couldn't bear to think what I was putting my baby through and I felt so guilty that I was still smoking.
I got through it, but not cold turkey, I would have gone mental! I bought Nicorette Patches, and was on them for 1 week until the cravings had gone and I was used to not having a cigarette all the time, i.e. with a cup of coffee.
They say Patches are bad for the baby, but I thought they had to be better than smoking, your not inhaling something that goes directly to your baby, and I was only on them for 1 week anyway.
Since then, I still feel like a cigarette every now and again, but lose my thought until the craving goes away.
It's alot easier if you have no cigarettes, lighters or ashtrays in the house, that way you have to make the effort of going to the shops to get them!
I know it's hard, especially when your at work all day and other people smoke as well.
Just keep on trying, that's all you can do!

Hope this helps :)

Good Luck!

Jayne
Mother of Chenae (3.5 months)

[kerrie]

Hi All,
I've never smoked and never would....Hubby on the other hand has been addicted since the prime age of 16!!!! We've talked about his need to give it the flick before Weeny Buba is born in July, he says he wants to/ knows he has to but isn't showing anysigns of weening, reading about giving up, talking about gums/ patches or any of the sort.
We've waited so long for this little one and I dont want anything to jepordise his/her health postnatally. I am well aware of the links with childhood asthma/ colds & flu's and SIDS....and I'm afraid that if he continues smoking after buba is born I am going to be super paranoid. I've told him if he continues to smoke I'm going to be on edge the whole time (not something u need with a newborn) & do things like make him change his clothes to smoke free ones each time he picks up the baby etc.....which I'm afraid will over shadow his trip being a new dad.
Helpfull advise to get this in perspective welcome :)

Goodluck to all those pregnant mummas working on giving up, good on you!!

Kerrie and Weeny Buba Xx

[camstar]

Hi I know it's a tough one, I gave up smokeing a couple of months before we concieved. The way I did it was quite visual. I saw this lady outside a shoping centre one day and she looked foul! She was about 30ish but she could have been mistaken as much older, her face was all screwed up in this disgusting expression as she drew in the smoke and she looked even worse when she blew it out :eek: . I looked at her and realised she thought she looked quite glamourous! I had a look in the mirror at myself smoking later that day, I looked foul too! I decided then to give up, I thought of how I looked how I smelt and my health and suddenly it was alot easier. After a while my daughter started commenting on how nice I smelt, my partner would complement me more and I felt so much better. I don't know if this story will help but I think maybe sometimes it's easier to give up a shallow want for a shallow reason. Good luck it's a good fight!

[lizzymcfizzy]

hi, I'm sure you are copping alot of flack for still smoking and endless unwanted information about how bad smoking is for you. I'm not even pregnant yet and I'm ready to punch people in the face for their continuous unwanted comments.

Good on you for cutting down and atleast wanting to quit!! thats commendable in itself!

I get bored at work too and have stopped myself smoking by putting something else in my mouth. Gum, lollies, pens! anything. And if I ever feel like a ciggie I distract myself. Go for a walk, read something indepth, think about a problem, have a drink of water.

I also found writing a list helped, entitled why I'm a non-smoker. I wrote down ALL the reasons I could think of including what it could do to me - wrinkly skin, yellow nails, look older, cancer, bad breath, smelly clothes etc etc.

This sits on my fridge and reminds me whenever I want a ciggie, I think "do I want it this bad?"

Also, if you are absolutely dying for one. Have one. I still have about one cigarette every two/three days.

This is the fourth time I have tried to quit and the first time its really working. For me its been easier to cut down that just go cold turkey.

As you cut down, you might notice a few positive things that you can draw on next time you crave. I found that I can smell other smokers and its awful, I can breath easier and I don't get so many headaches or chestpains.

I also noticed the more I smoke, the more I want and the less I smoke, the less I want it. So if I ignore a craving as long as I can, the less cravings I get. Its true!

I hope this has helped you! goodluck!!

[rainbow]

Hi! This advice is from a non-smoker so you can take it or leave it, I'm just speculating. My hubby has been a smoker since forever and I know that it's impossible for me to really understand his addiction without experiencing it myself.
My "advice" is:
a) Would it work to research the ugly side of smoking (in general as well as in pregnancy as well as around children) and read all the horror stories and see all the horror pictures... then maybe it would help you to detest the things enough to be super-motivated to quit. The willpower to quit can only come from within yourself.
b) Find something that's a total treat and substitute that thing every time you want a smoke. For me it might be almonds. Whatever you think is really special. That way you can reward yourself for not having a smoke, and quitting doesn't have to be such an unpleasant task. But if you have a smoke on that day, you are not allowed the special treat at all that day. Or whatever works for you. The point is to love yourself, not hate yourself, or you will be likely to rebel against your own self.
c) When you get bored and restless at work surely there is something else you can do other than smoking. I don't know what your workplace is like but here are a few suggestions to get you thinking:
- play a game like tetris or minesweeper
- find a joke website and spend a few minutes having a laugh
- draw a picture if you're that way inclined
- email a friend
- OK I have brain freeze but you get the idea right?
d) Make it extremely difficult to access smokes. You may have to play tricks on yourself such as putting them in a box with all sorts of smoking horror pictures or maybe even a spider or cockroach!
Lastly try not to let people bother you, everyone is different and they don't know where you're at. Forgive them because they're just trying to help and remember that you very much want to quit yourself, not because anyone put the idea in your head. You can do this, whether they drive you nuts or not. It's not about them, never has been, it's about you, and it's about your baby.
All the best!

[schmell]

Hi Emilyhug,

Congratulations for wanting to quit in the first place.

I have found that going cold turkey didn't work for me and the patches make me ill. I have cut down considerably during this pregnancy - I stopped completely with my first but took it up again once she was off the boob.
The only conclusion I have come to (after many relapses) is that no matter how much I WANT to quit, I am not READY to quit (although i wish I was).
I know that isn't the best "how to quit" advice but just know you are not alone and you have taken a massive step by acknowledging you want to quit.


Hi Rainbow,

I just wanted to say that as a smoker - reformed and relapsed many times over - your post was one of the most non-hypocritical things I have read from a non-smoker with advice on quitting. If only everyone was as understanding about giving up it would probably help alot of smokers quit sooner.

[Miaow]

I understand completely about the comments from other people - im 13 weeks now and still smoking though have cut down considerably from what i was smoking though as yet havent managed to give up :( It makes it harder also with a boyfriend around who smokes all the time also as the temptation is pretty much always there when he is...

Hopefully I'll finally manage to give up before the baby is born (Nov) but after 24 years smoking its pretty hard - the only time I've managed to give up in the past was for 4 weeks when had such a bad chest cold I couldnt smoke..

[mummyb]

;) hi
good luck with uiting i know how hard it can be it is amazing how many people just dont realise its the same for mums to be as it is for everyone else.
when i was pregnant with my first i smoked until about 28 weeks,i knew all the risks and just thought it would work out fine but i had my beautiful bub 6 weeks early for no specific reason ,i found out later that smoking is a major factor in premie babies (not meaning to sound scary there :o )
when i got pregnant again i had already uit about a month before hand i felt it was best for my baby andi .
my ds was born three days late perfectly healthy it was just amazing.
when i was in hospital with ds#1 the girl in the next bed was smoking a pkt of winnie blues a day she knew the risks and just didnt seem to mind.(healthy baby twin boys )
i guess you have to do whats best for you and your family
i know things can be tough espeacily when your bored.
i tried lollies and other nibbles
it still realy sux when someone lights up next to me i just want one so bad :D
oh an dsorry my cue button dosent work which has made this post look kind of slly
good luck
oh i just remebered what else i thought about to uit :rolleyes: i kept thinking that i wanted my new bub to smell all fresh and clean and snuggled not like my jacket after a night out .my mums a school teacher and she always says you can smell whos parents smoke and whos dont .
i think you have to find a few negatives about smmoing and just think them everytime you want one really bad.
good luck

[Mummy Gwynne]

What I did was to associate smoking with morning sickness somehow (in my head anyway) so that when I smelt cigarette smoke or thought about having a cigarette it put me right off.

I suppose this would only work if you've had sickness though.

I think if you've not given up already you might become so stressed that you'dd end up doing more damage to the baby through your stress. I'd say to cut down as much as possible and to smoke rolling tobacco instead becauses there are less chemicals in it.

Good luck

[Luvmyfam]

I smoked for 10 years on and off (mostly on!!!). At the time I thought I was pregnant I was a very light smoker but could of quite easily gone back to full on smoking. However I completely stopped and now I am 28 weeks pregnant and haven't looked back. The biggest motivation I found to help me through the ciggie cravings was to remind myself that I am sharing my body with another little person right now who doesn't have a choice if I decide to light up, so for their health better off not to.
Its tough I know and I too agree thats its very commendable that you are so concerned. Someone to encourage you goes a long way too! You need to find the things that make you happier than having a smoke. Whether it be a walk, lollies or a big long hug from someone. I also found that a big glass of water drunk slowly helped me.
GOOD LUCK !!!!!!!!!!

[braydensmum]

I had been smoking for 6 years, the second my pregnancy was confirmed I quit -cold turkey... I had no choice really, my partner is a non smoker and it was just expected of me!

Sounds bizzare, but my morning sickness was a blessing in disguise! I had it really bad almost throughout my pregnancy so just the smell of smoke almost sent me rushing to the toilet!!! I know of some people who have quit by eating sunflower seeds, as peeling the shell gives there hands something to do and it is a healthy snack - you could try nuts or something similar if that helps!!

My beautiful baby boy is 7 weeks - and I won't smoke while I am breastfeeding...
I am a little worried that when I stop and do start to go out again, I might want to start up again :confused: I guess it is mind over matter, and I have to think of my baby now, as I always want to be healthy and energetic to play with him as he gets older!!

Anyway best of luck with everything - and as everyone else says you can only do what it best for you and your new coming family! :)

[jes]

Hi Emilyhug,

I too was a smoker for 9 years(i started when i was 13) :eek: Iwas always with smokers my mum my sister, friends and boyfriends! So when i met my partner and he was a non smoker it became not so fun, i couldnt smoke in the car, the house and most of our friends didnt smoke either. I started to feel really anti social when i would go out side as soon as dinner was finished to have a smoke.

Shortly after we decided to try to have a baby i started to cut down, and made my partner a promise'when i fall pregnant i will give up straight away!' Well i managed to cut down to about 5 or 6 a day, so after 8 months of trying i fell pregnant! Well now i had the bigest reason in the world to give up, it was really hard but the next day i ripped up the rest of my packet and threw it in the bin(step 1) My partner was really helpfull, he just wouldnt give in and let me just have 1 when we were out. I must admit i did sneak a couple before i completly gave up, the last one was on new years eve.

And to tell you the truth i have never felt better! I was always getting any cold or flu going round and now i havnt been sick once! Might not be just the ciggs but i sit back and watch my mum and sister getting sick every couple of weeks and think im glad im not them!

Any way i will stop going on now :D Good luck with giving up! Even if you cut down it has to be better for bubs!

All the best jes :)

[honey18]

when i found out that i was pregnant, i totally quit smoking. i've read a lot of the bad effects of smoking to your unborn child and that was enough motivation for me to stop.

goodluck to you!

[issybop]

Hi Emilyhug,

I too was a long term smoker and was getting desparate by the time I was 13 weeks pregnant. I went to a reputable hypnotist and it has now been 18 months without a gasper! It may not work for everyone, but I stopped over night without withdrawl, pretty good considering I had tried so many times.
I would recommend it to anyone. Don't let the cost put you off, because in the long run you are saving so much money.

Good luck, dont let anyone give you a hard time! Wanting to stop is half way there!

[Emily84]

I am 17 weeks pregnant and also having difficulty giving up the dreaded ciggerattes :( Nurse did not give me much motivation or ideas so I am back at square one

[BJelly]

Hi, good on all of you who are trying to give up.

I used to smoke, and one thing that helped me was meditation - I think part of the relaxation we get from smoking is from the deep inhalation and exhalation - it's very much like deep breathing.

Maybe you could try taking some slow deep breaths when you feel the need for a ciggie? (Breath in to the count of 3, hold for 2, and exhale for 3 - just be careful not to make yourself dizzy - just do what feels comfortable).

You can also visualise the clean oxygen going in to nourish your baby - that way you can relax and bond with your baby all at the same time!

[BubbleBelly]

I've been a heavy smoker since the age of 14! But for some reason i have been able to stop cold turkey! No cravings no nothing. My mum says it's cos im stuborn :D

[Ethereal]

I really believe that knowledge is power. The more we know about the effects of smoking on unborn children the more we can change our actions. If we change our beliefs about smoking, we can become more strongly motivated and eventually suceed in giving up for good.
An excellent book to read about how smoking impacts You your fertility, your unborn children's fertility and even your grandchildren is called:
WHAT EVERY WOMAN SHOULD KNOW ABOUT FERTILITY AND HER BIOLOGICAL CLOCK By Cara Birrittieri
I was shocked when I read this book as I had no idea that smoking can have such far reaching consequences for all.
I believe you can do it, if you persevere.
I wish you and your beautiful baby all the best.

[serendipity22]

Theres been a lot of great suggestions.

It sounds like your job is a challenge in itself, so anything you can come up with to liven it, brighten it up, make it more interesting could be good.

I don't know about smoking but I do know the part of you that wants to give up needs to be bigger than the part that doesn't. Maybe it would be fun to have a sort of role play with a friend, where you took on the part that doesn't want to give up.
The friend says "you should give up smoking" (giving reasons), you say no and give reasons. I have seen something like that. Just a thought.

Whatever happens feel good about yourself, I think it might be good to know that you are a very important person and a very good person and you are going to be great Mum.