Pregnancy and smoking: how to quit
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, 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 labour. Pregnant women who smoke have almost double the risk of going into labour 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 baby at higher risk of health problems including cerebral palsy and heart problems, as well as behavioural problems and learning difficulties.
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 mum 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 are really struggling to give up cigarettes, you may find that counselling helps. To receive help and support, phone the NHS smoking helpline on: 0800 169 0 169
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.Talk to your GP or midwife
Ask
your GP 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. Don’t be
embarrassed to tell them you smoke – it’s vital for them to know so
they can 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 boiled sweets helps them fight their craving, others chew gum. Nicotine gums are available, as are nicotine patches, but check with your GP 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.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. Talk to your GP or midwife before trying any alternative therapy and always use a registered practitioner.Get help and support
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. To receive help and support, phone the NHS smoking helpline on: 0800 169 0 169
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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