Ways to Stop Smoking While Pregnant

Smoking is harmful for a baby, especially while pregnant. Whether it’s mom smoking, or people around you, secondhand smoke can be just as harmful. It’s important to stop as soon as possible, to avoid these health implications. While quitting can be difficult, it is worth trying for your sake and your new child’s.

1. Just quit. Going cold turkey. Most women who are pregnant are able to stop smoking before they officially know that they are pregnant. The taste of cigarettes, the smell of the smoke will sometimes make them so sick to their stomach that they just have to stop. And after they find out that they are pregnant, it just makes it that much easier to not pick up another one. During morning sickness, especially the kind that lasts all day, it’s difficult to even think about smoking without getting ill.

2. Cutting back as much as possible through will power alone is a good way to eventually quit altogether.

3. Fighting the urge. When craving a cigarette, say no, and grab for a piece of gum instead. This has been proven to relieve some stress. Something with a strong flavor will help to distract you from your cravings. Some alternatives to chewing gum can be mints, life savers, Starburst, creme savers. Try different things to see what works best for you.

4. Meditation, make yourself feel at peace. A great way to relieve stress and to calm your nerves. Not only can this help you stop smoking, it will also help you through tough times you might be having during your pregnancy (or any thing for that matter).

5. Distract yourself. Pick up a hobby that you enjoy greatly. You will be having so much fun that you’ll fight the temptation, and not even think about smoking.

6. Remember, baby’s health is most important. To ensure your deliver a healthy baby, one of the things you must do, is quit smoking. There can be a lot of downsides to smoking while pregnant (see end of article). And can even cause your child to have health issues later in life.

7. Motivation. Write a list of reasons why you want to quit. Make sure baby’s health is top priority! Keep that list close by as a constant reminder of why you should kick the habit.

It is very important to stop smoking completely while pregnant. Get help if you need it. Talk to your health care provider about programs and services available to help you quit.

There are several side effects of smoking while pregnant, below is just a few that I’ve listed that CAN happen:

1. Decreases oxygen for both you and baby

2. Affect the baby’s birth weight

3. Baby can grow addicted to the nicotine chemical

4. ADD and learning disabilities could take place

5. Harms the blood vessels of the baby and the placenta