When you are pregnant, everything that you put into your body is also put into the body of your baby. Because of this it is very important that you quit smoking. The best time to quit smoking is before you conceive, however, quitting by your 14th week of pregnancy is the next best option. If you are a smoker and are thinking about getting pregnant or already pregnant, then use one or more of these methods to kick the habit.
Reasons for Quitting Smoking When Pregnant
As a smoker you are probably already aware of the health problems that you can develop while smoking like heart disease, hypertension, lung cancer and mouth cancer, however, you may not be aware of the serious health problems your baby can develop as a result of your smoking. When you smoke while pregnant your pregnancy can be seriously affected. You can develop Placenta Abruption, Placenta Previa or you can go into preterm labor. The most common problems that baby’s develop when they have mothers that smoke include heart defects, vision problems, respiratory problems, colic, and low birth weight. While these conditions are tragic, even more life threatening conditions like miscarriages, still births and SIDS can also develop.
Going Cold Turkey
Many pregnant women go cold turkey while trying to kick the smoking habit. This method is very simple. You simply throw out all of your cigarettes, lighters and smoking paraphernalia and stop smoking all at once. This method of quitting smoking is about five percent effective, however, many mothers who use this method to stop smoking while they are pregnant start smoking again after they deliver their baby.
If you don’t have the will power to go cold turkey, then you can try tapering off your smoking. If you use this method then you will want to taper off to zero cigarettes a day by the beginning of your 14th week of pregnancy. This will reduce the chances that your smoking will impact the health of your pregnancy and your baby. This method for quitting smoking is also about five percent affective.
Nicotine Replacement
Nicotine replacement therapy is another method you can use to quit smoking. It is about ten percent effective and involves the use of supplying your body with nicotine through a patch or nicotine gum. Research hasn’t focused on the affects of straight nicotine on a developing fetus, so you will want to complete your stop smoking program prior to week 14 of your pregnancy.
Counseling
Counseling is an effective method for long term results. It can be used alone or coupled with one of the above quit smoking methods. This method involves talking with a counselor or meeting with a support group. Usually the root of your addiction to cigarettes is addressed, as opposed to simply removing the temptation of cigarettes from your life. This method is safe to use during pregnancy as it is non-invasive.
Quitting Smoking, Good For You and Good For Baby
Being a non-smoker is important when you are pregnant, however, it is also important when you are a parent. Smoking can impact the quality of your breast milk and it can raise health risks for your children. Second hand smoke is, in some cases, worse then if the child was smoking along with you. As a parent you want the best for your baby. Once you kick the habit, don’t let it back into your life. You children will thank you.
