Still Smoking Need help

[Sarah Jane]

I am 26 weeks pregnant and have tried to quit smoking, but having so much trouble. I smoke about 8 ciggs. a day. I hate smoking, I am embarressed to smoke and I won't even buy the ciggs because of the embarressment. I feel so guilty putting these gross chemicals into my baby and I know the bad things that it will do to the baby. I get so guilty and then it just makes me want to smoke more. Did any of you ladies have this problem and how can I stop? I feel so ashamed and I still smoke ugh...:gloomy:

[~member~]

If you see an OB or family doctor, there are programs for pg moms to help them quit smoking.
Since you are pg, it is okay to go buy your favorite foods and eat instead of smoking. Try timing yourself, ie-I can have a smoke in 5 hours, I can only have a smoke down the block or 500 feet from my home.

If it is that hard to quit, make your smoking a 'treat' for walking 2 miles, or swimming every day(it is hard to smoke while in the water). Something healthy that is good for you and baby to counter the effects of smoking.
:hug

[OMama]

Try to do whatever you can to stop. If you can go for just 3 days then mentally you can tell yourself the nicotine is out of your system and then it is just mental. As you know it is so bad for your baby. Don't let this addiction harm you or your child anymore. Honestly I would try just going cold turkey at this point. It will be hard at first but you can do. One of the most disgusting but effective things I've ever heard someone do to quit was to fill a jar with a bunch of old cigarette butts and some water. Let it sit for few days so it is really disgusting smelling. And then whenever you want a cigarette, instead go and smell the contents of the jar. They should be so revolting that it will help you quit. Good luck! You can do it!

[Snowdrift]

Things that help me quit and stay quit while pregnant and depressed:

Quitting cold. Tapering has never worked for me. I realized that the physical addiction to nicotine doesn't last that long and that I only prolong it by tapering.

Being gentle with myself, but not too gentle. I relapsed twice, both during final exams. I had to realize that I found my behavior unacceptable but that I did a good job every other day/minute of my pregnancy and that two quarter-packs of cigs to not a bad person make

Giving myself permission to find substitutes. There is, I believe, no better time to quit than while pg. People understand if you're a totaly B!tch. It's ok to eat all day. Drinking water or watered-down juice is a great replacement for the constant hand/mouth need.

Changing associations. Although it really messed with my head, I stopp going outdoors with my buddies during my class breaks. They all smoked. It helped that they didn't want to smoke around me. Most smokers who would be offended at you not wanting to be aorund them suddenly don't want you around their smoking when you arepg.

Visualizations. I visualized my baby coughing and choking and trying to breath. This was kind of hard and i don't want to make you feel bad--seriously I think my visualizations were exaggarated. But they made it easier for me to not pick up a cig.

Aside from ym own experience, somethingthat might be helpful for you--smoking is most prolematic late in pregnancy--you're still at the point where you can do the most good by quitting NOW. ITa with pp's--if, despite making up your mind to quit cold turkey you mind yourself ready to give in, make yourself to something first--walk half a mile, wait twenty minutes, etc. Your strength may reassert itself.

It can be done! I did it.

[katiesmom]

I smoked before I got pg with my 4yo, and quit when I became pregnant. I just kept picturing the picture I saw in Dr. Sears pregnancy book of a pregnant mom smoking and the fetus in her belly smoking too. After that I just couldn't do it. THen I started again after she was weaned. So, when I got pregnant this time, I had to quit again. I had a couple in the beginning, but once I saw him on u/s at 9 weeks, I just couldn't smoke again. Every day I would tell myself I would have one tomorrow if I could just get through today, and then I never had one. THat worked for me. The reall kicker will be staying quit after this one is weaned. I REALLY love to smoke. I think about it every day, but obviously I care more about my kids than I do myself. When I'm not attached to them, (pg or bfing) I start again.

Just whenever you light up try to think of the baby smoking and being effected.
And really try to get through the rest of your preganancy without it, maybe even knowing you will start again when he/she is born. Somehow telling myself that I don't have to quit forever helps me quit for now.

[leximom]

You have gotten great advice so far. I just want to say that you can do it :thumb and that it's never too late to quit. Maybe if you check out www.quitnet.net you can find other preggo mamas trying to quit for extra support.

[maybaby18]

I was 29 weeks pregnent when I stopped smoking. Do you want to know what helped me quit??? My husband came home and woke me up and told me that his friends nephew was 1 1/2 months old and died from sids. I quit at that instant. I gave my husband my cigerettes and told him never to smoke around me. I was told by the man (that his nephew died) that his sister smoked while being pregenet and breastfeeding. I know that docters don't know what causes sids.....but it does say to reduce cause of sids Do NOT smoke while pregnent. Plus I starting reading about baby born with toe and finger deformity, breathing problems, sids, all kinds of horrible things that can happen to babies. I know it's hard TRUST me! Do it for your baby and it's health! Please! You don't want a baby with lots of problems and stays in the hospital cause it needs oxygen etc.! Quitting smoking was the best thing that I've done for my baby....and her perfect health! Good luck and I really hoped this helped! You can do it!:thumb

[Milkie&Cookie]

Try brushing your teeth every time you want a smoke. That way you won't want one after you've brushed your teeth (unless you smoke menthols LOL)

I quit smoking 6 years ago. It is hard. But you have to do it. Make your self sick everytime you smoke. I did it cold turkey, but there are other methods. Talk to your doc. You can do this. Dont' give up. Quit for an hour, quit for 2 hours, 3 hours, until you get to 24 hours. I know you can.

[Katiemare]

:hug YOU CAN DO IT!! You will be so proud of yourself and your baby will thank you. I know that you can do it, because it was really brave of you to "put yourself out there" by posting about it.

Now you have a group of supporters who will help hold you accountable--you can give us a Bridget Jones diary entry every day, number of cigarettes, weight (hopefully no alcohol units, tho!)

There may be some lurkers in your shoes who are being helped by this thread, too!

You might also want to check out a relaxation CD or cassette at the library--sometimes they have ones to help you quit.
there's also acupuncture. . . worked wonders for a friend of mine.

bottom line-- YOU CAN DO IT, you are already taking the steps to quit and make the best possible home for your baby!

Brightest Blessings,