Pregnant? How to stop smoking
One of the first things you’ll be told when you find out that you’re pregnant is that you need to quit the habit if you smoke. All the evidence points to the fact that continuing to smoke while you are pregnant is very harmful to your pregnancy and your unborn baby. Even so, at least 10 percent of pregnant women continue to smoke while they’re expecting and this indicates just how strong the addiction to nicotine can be. Unfortunately it isn’t easy to stop, even if you know it’s bad for your baby.
Smoking and your pregnancy
Many of the complications that can occur during pregnancy – for example, miscarriage, placental abruption, premature rupture of the membranes,
miscarriage,
stillbirth (it’s been estimated that if all pregnant women in the US who smoke gave up the habit, the number of stillbirths would fall by 11 percent and there would be a five percent reduction in newborn death),
premature birth, and low birthweight – are much more likely to happen to pregnant women who smoke. This is because cigarette smoke contains more than 4,000 chemicals many of which are highly toxic (carbon monoxide, nicotine, cyanide, and lead).
These chemicals pass into your unborn baby’s body via the placenta, and reduce his supply of oxygen. This can slow his growth and development, and increase the risk of preterm labor. Pregnant women who smoke have almost double the risk of going into labor early and having a low-birthweight baby. If your baby is very early his lungs won’t yet have matured sufficiently for him to breathe unaided and he may have to spend many weeks in a neonatal intensive care unit. Preterm birth puts your at higher risk of health problems including cerebral palsy and heart problems, as well as behavioral problems, learning difficulties and even mental retardation.
By smoking you also risk your baby being born addicted to the same chemicals in cigarette smoke that you crave, and he will have to go through withdrawal. This can make him fretful and hard to settle in his first few weeks, making your job as a new mom much more stressful.
How to quit smoking in pregnancy
There’s no doubt that if it was easy to quit smoking few of us would indulge in the habit. The reality is that no matter how much you tell yourself that you’re quitting for the sake of your health and your baby’s, giving up will be difficult if you smoke a lot, and you’ll likely find yourself craving a cigarette for many weeks after you stub out that final butt.
Think very carefully about your unborn baby’s wellbeing – it can be a powerful incentive to stick to your guns when it comes to not smoking. Remember that the minute you stop smoking, you stop exposing your baby to the toxic chemicals that harm his health.
Do be prepared for nicotine withdrawal, which will make you cranky, anxious and jittery for several weeks, especially if you were a heavy smoker. This can be hard to cope with at a time when pregnancy hormones will also be making you feel more emotional than usual. If you don’t think you can quit smoking cold turkey, gradual cessation can reduce the side effects of nicotine withdrawal. However, keep in mind that you should aim to be down to zero cigarettes by the end of your first trimester (weeks 0-12) so as not to affect your baby’s growth.
Here are some tips that may help you quit smoking while pregnant…
Remind yourself what’s at stake
Remember who you are quitting the habit for. Put up your ultrasound scan pictures where you can see them at home and at work. And get informed about what smoking can do to your baby by forcing yourself to research the effects and looking at pictures in books and online of babies who are undergoing special care because their moms ket up the habit throughout their pregnancy. It will be difficult – but worthwhile if it helps you fight your craving.
Talk to your healthcare provider?
Ask your OB-GYN or midwife for their advice. They will likely have cared for other women who’ve gone through the same experience as you and will know what worked best for their patients. They also are the best source of advice for what you might be able to use to help control your cravings – for example, medication or a nicotine patch. Don’t be embarrassed to tell them you smoke – it’s vital for them to know so they ca best monitor your progress and your baby’s development.
Avoid your smoking cues
Most people tend to smoke at certain times – when they’re stressed, when they’re having a cup of coffee or chatting to a friend on the phone. Instead of reaching for that pack, distract yourself with something else – use worry beads, or doodle on a notepad while you chat on the phone. If you smoke while you watch TV, take up another habit that you can do with your hands, like knitting (you could knit some cute baby sweaters!) or embroidery.
Steer clear of secondhand smoke
If your partner or other family members or friends smoke, ask them not to smoke around you. It will only increase your urge to smoke and it also will put your baby at risk from the effects of the secondhand smoke you breathe in. Make your house a no-smoking zone, and ask co-workers not to light up around you also.
Plan to deal with cravings
Some people find that sucking on hard candy helps them fight their craving, others chew gum. Nicotine gums are available, as are nicotine patches, but check with your OB-GYN or midwife before using them. Gums may be safer than patches, since they don’t provide such a sustained release of nicotine. Using this method helps to lessen the effects of withdrawal but you need to be very careful not to overuse whichever option you choose.
Think twice about medications
The antidepressant bupropion (Zyban) has been found to help with smoking cessation but it comes with side effects such as insomnia and nausea, which can exacerbate pregnancy fatigue and morning sickness. Also, its long-term safety hasn’t been studied in pregnant women. Large doses have been linked with seizures so it won’t be safe if you have a seizure disorder such as epilepsy or had pre-eclampsia in a previous pregnancy. You won’t be able to continue using it after your baby is born if you’re breastfeeding, as it passes into breast milk.
Consider alternative therapies
Hypnosis and/or acupuncture may help ease the cravings that accompany quitting smoking, and are worth a try if you definitely want to avoid using any kind of nicotine replacement or medication. Always use a registered practitioner – and check if your health insurer will help with the costs, as many insurers are increasing the scope of coverage to include complementary therapies.
Get help and support
Counseling and support also can help you deal in the first few days and weeks. The American Cancer Society quitline (877-937-7848) offers one-on-one free counseling over the phone 24 hours a day.
Once you’ve had your baby it’s just as important to stay off the cigarettes. Babies who are exposed to cigarette smoke are more likely to suffer from lower-respiratory illnesses such as bronchitis and pneumonia, as well as
ear infections and
asthma. And their risk of
sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS, or crib death) is three times higher than babies who aren’t exposed.
The information in this feature is intended for educational purposes only. If you have any concerns about your health, the health of your child or the health of someone you know, please consult with a doctor or other healthcare professional.
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Last Modified: 29/10/2009