Pregnant and smoking

p0pr0cksnc0ke

Sooo... thoughts?

I was a smoker both times I got pregnant. When I found I was pregnant, quit cold turkey.

I have had some friends smoke less while pregnant but still continues to do so.

In a discussion with a friend, she stated that someone who is pregnant and smokes is not selfish. I had to disagree.. to which she blew up that some people just can't handle stress, blah blah blah. And, again I had to say.. yeah.. but its still selfish.. LOL

Sorry in advance for all the preggo smokers I just offended. :flowersforyourbaby:

CaptainGordo

You did the right thing, putting baby's well being first. Everyone is free to choose, but smoking while pregnant is a terrible decision.

GorillaNJ

Well it is better then smoking crack!

Maybe I should develop a cigarette with prenatal vitamins in it....

Supercatie80

Smoking while pregnant is complete idiocy. I don't care if I offend anybody. If you are pregnant or even nursing and smoking, you are putting your baby's health at risk.

SeanIsMyHomeboy

All I'm saying is that obviously people have been having babies for thousands of years.

For some of those years, im sure women were smoking and drinking while carrying a child.

And yet we're still here...

Lizzy_Sunflower

I actually had a friend whose doctor recommended for her *not* to quit smoking during her pregnancy. Stress on the baby was cited as the reason. *cough cough enabler cough cough*

Any stress on the baby can't be worse than the effects of smoking on the developing baby.

Just IMO of course

p0pr0cksnc0ke

You did the right thing, putting baby's well being first. Everyone is free to choose, but smoking while pregnant is a terrible decision.

Everyone is free to chose.. you are right.

I feel that its not fair.. not like the baby can move to the "non smoking "section of the uterus.

jenscot25

Have a feeling that this one is gonna get good.....

ajbeans

All I'm saying is that obviously people have been having babies for thousands of years.

For some of those years, im sure women were smoking and drinking while carrying a child.

And yet we're still here...

Yes, but lots of those babies turned out pretty unhealthy. Like my sister who was born with a hole in her heart.

There are lots of stupid things that people have been doing for millenia, but just because people have always done it doesn't mean it's ok. We know now how these things affect a developing fetus. You know better, you do better. Or should, anyway.

maidentl

Agreed, totally selfish. My MIL used to brag about how she smoked throughout her pregnancy with my husband and that it was fine. But then in another story she'll tell you how tiny he was when he was born. REFUSES to see the connection. If something is merely a risk, I try not to judge anyone for taking a risk that I wouldn't. But smoking is flat out verifiably bad, I don't understand how anyone can defend it.

bry_all01

I was the same as you both times, though it wasn't because I was pregnant. It was because I woke up one morning (both times) thinking how disgusting they were and threw full packs away, then later found out I was pregnant. (So, the 2nd child should have been a given). I would have quit anyway, just quit before I actually found out.

A girl at work said she smokes "less".... I had to walk away. I did not want to get into a fight with a pregnant co-worker and lose my job...

WarriorMom2012

I'll admit, it took me a few days each time to quit. I cut down each day and within a week I had quit. It was even harder because both my ex husband (1st 2 kids) and my husband (3rd kid) smoke and didn't feel the need to quit with me.

It is still my opinion that while incubating a little person, you should not put harmful substances in your body.

KimmieBrie

Smoking is definitely selfish - pregnant or not you are doing it for your own enjoyment only.

If you are a very heavy smoker I've read that Dr's have recommended weaning off as opposed to cold turkey.
Going from 2 packs a day to none overnight can have adverse affects.

I smoke. I quit cold when was pregnant - but I only was smoking a few a day, not packs.

Before smoking became so outcast - lots of women smoked and had healthy children, I know some who have more recently.
It's a personal decision, but smoking itself is always selfish.

p0pr0cksnc0ke

All I'm saying is that obviously people have been having babies for thousands of years.

For some of those years, im sure women were smoking and drinking while carrying a child.

And yet we're still here...

Completely true! But now we are having many studies that are coming out based on smoking while pregnant and fetal alcohol syndrome that people didnt know thousands of years ago. I know its not going to wipe out human existance.

skinnywithin

I was a smoker when I got pregnant and quit shortly after I found out...I couldnt help but vision this litttle baby sleeping in my tummy and all the sudden a cloud of smoke come in...LOL No serioulsy I thought it was the healthies thing to do for my child..the end result my son was born with asthma go figure !

It bothers me to see women smoking while pregnant ...Its just me but It makes me shake my head !

iuangina

I actually had a friend whose doctor recommended for her *not* to quit smoking during her pregnancy. Stress on the baby was cited as the reason. *cough cough enabler cough cough*

Any stress on the baby can't be worse than the effects of smoking on the developing baby.

This actually is true (depending on how much they smoke and how long they have smoked in the pregnancy). They tell them to cut down, but sometimes cutting it out completely can be worse. Kinda of like if you were using crack while pregnant....the baby is already addicted to the substance and cutting it out will cause the baby to go through withdrawal (i.e., stress).

I'm not saying that it is a good thing by any means. However, it is not the worst thing a pregnant woman could be doing.

SarabellPlus3

You know what? I'm not really a judger on the "Mommy Wars." I'm just not.

Of course it's bad to smoke while pregnant. I never did (wasn't a smoker anyway). But I took other risks. Maybe worse risks. I got in my car, and QUITE LITERALLY risked my unborn children's lives most every day of each pregnancy. Sometimes I only did it for fun-- I wanted to go to the mall! Well, it could have killed them. Happens everyday. I would need a true scientific assessment to say that smoking is more or less dangerous to one's life than car travel...
I even still do it now. My kids are in carseats, & I drive safely, but tonight when I take them to Karate just for a "WANT" (not a "need"), we will be risking their lives in the car.

I also got the epidural (except the last time, when she came too fast, and weighed almost 10 lbs, but I digress), etc, etc, etc. Unless it's REALLY greivious, we're just all on the honor system to do the best WE can do. The best "you" can do isn't always the best everyone else can do. Maybe you ate lunch meat while you were pregnant. You have to try to be safe, but still live.

CaptainGordo

All I'm saying is that obviously people have been having babies for thousands of years.

For some of those years, im sure women were smoking and drinking while carrying a child.

And yet we're still here...

So, as long as someone isn't jeopardizing the human race as a whole, the practice is acceptable? Super logic.

SarabellPlus3

Any stress on the baby can't be worse than the effects of smoking on the developing baby.

Do you know that that's true, or do you assume that to be true?

I'm asking without snark. I don't know that I buy that line, TBH. I haven't seen scientific evidence supporting it, I've only seen people assume it. It may be true, I'm just asking, b/c it seems like one of those common internet assumptions, but I'm not certain it's real.

ajbeans

Any stress on the baby can't be worse than the effects of smoking on the developing baby.

Do you know that that's true, or do you assume that to be true?

I'm asking without snark. I don't know that I buy that line, TBH. I haven't seen scientific evidence supporting it, I've only seen people assume it. It may be true, I'm just asking, b/c it seems like one of those common internet assumptions, but I'm not certain it's real.

I'm inclined to agree with you. Because when the baby's born, you're not going to still pop a ciggy in his mouth so he doesn't have withdrawal. So I'm not really seeing how it's more stressful to quit while you're pregnant.

bry_all01

You know what? I'm not really a judger on the "Mommy Wars." I'm just not.

Of course it's bad to smoke while pregnant. I never did (wasn't a smoker anyway). But I took other risks. Maybe worse risks. I got in my car, and QUITE LITERALLY risked my unborn children's lives most every day of each pregnancy. Sometimes I only did it for fun-- I wanted to go to the mall! Well, it could have killed them. Happens everyday. I would need a true scientific assessment to say that smoking is more or less dangerous to one's life than car travel...
I even still do it now. My kids are in carseats, & I drive safely, but tonight when I take them to Karate just for a "WANT" (not a "need"), we will be risking their lives in the car.

I also got the epidural (except the last time, when she came too fast, and weighed almost 10 lbs, but I digress), etc, etc, etc. Unless it's REALLY greivious, we're just all on the honor system to do the best WE can do. The best "you" can do isn't always the best everyone else can do. Maybe you ate lunch meat while you were pregnant. You have to try to be safe, but still live.

Wow.... such a risk taker you are and good for you NOT to be judgmental of others, lol.

whouwannab

and I say if you were able to quit while pregnant, why not give it up all together? That way the baby's clothes and blankets will smell like the sweet smell of baby and not cigarette smoke.

bry_all01

and I say if you were able to quit while pregnant, why not give it up all together? That way the baby's clothes and blankets will smell like the sweet smell of baby and not cigarette smoke.

Some people respect their space and smoke outside.

KimmieBrie

I actually had a friend whose doctor recommended for her *not* to quit smoking during her pregnancy. Stress on the baby was cited as the reason. *cough cough enabler cough cough*

Any stress on the baby can't be worse than the effects of smoking on the developing baby.

Just IMO of course

I'd say the OB was right. They are the experts - and I don't know a single Dr, especially an OB who says things to enable their patients to smoke, in fact, quite the opposite.

iuangina

Any stress on the baby can't be worse than the effects of smoking on the developing baby.

Do you know that that's true, or do you assume that to be true?

I'm asking without snark. I don't know that I buy that line, TBH. I haven't seen scientific evidence supporting it, I've only seen people assume it. It may be true, I'm just asking, b/c it seems like one of those common internet assumptions, but I'm not certain it's real.

I'm inclined to agree with you. Because when the baby's born, you're not going to still pop a ciggy in his mouth so he doesn't have withdrawal. So I'm not really seeing how it's more stressful to quit while you're pregnant.

Could the stress of withdrawal cause a potential miscarriage or stillbirth?

jenscot25

You know what? I'm not really a judger on the "Mommy Wars." I'm just not.

Of course it's bad to smoke while pregnant. I never did (wasn't a smoker anyway). But I took other risks. Maybe worse risks. I got in my car, and QUITE LITERALLY risked my unborn children's lives most every day of each pregnancy. Sometimes I only did it for fun-- I wanted to go to the mall! Well, it could have killed them. Happens everyday. I would need a true scientific assessment to say that smoking is more or less dangerous to one's life than car travel...
I even still do it now. My kids are in carseats, & I drive safely, but tonight when I take them to Karate just for a "WANT" (not a "need"), we will be risking their lives in the car.

I also got the epidural (except the last time, when she came too fast, and weighed almost 10 lbs, but I digress), etc, etc, etc. Unless it's REALLY greivious, we're just all on the honor system to do the best WE can do. The best "you" can do isn't always the best everyone else can do. Maybe you ate lunch meat while you were pregnant. You have to try to be safe, but still live.

I agree. Spend less time worrying about other people's lives and focus on yours. People are going to do what they want to do so why waste time fighting an endless battle. Of course smoking is bad DUH-it's bad any time. It's the mother's choice just like abortion which too ends rather badly for the baby. I don't agree or disagree with smoking or abortion but I do agree in a woman's right to choose. The baby has no choice as sucky as that may be. Problem solved? Next topic please.

taglientep

Sorry not a fan of having child addicted to tobacco from birth. I am a smoker, Cigar/ Pipe so i am for tobacco, just not hindering a childs development.

Let me at least wait till my child's 18th birthday for them to enjoy a fine cigar with me (though i dont have any children yet)

bhalter

My best friend continued smoking while she was pregnant. I once got up the gumption to ask her about it and she said her doctor actually recommended she NOT quit because quitting would put stress on her and the baby. O.o I'm not going to judge anyone else's decisions, even though I don't agree with it, but she keeps saying both of her kids "are healthy as a horse" when they were born, which to some degree is true. My goddaughter (that she smoked with) though, has had ear infections, lung/sinus/colds, coughs, etc., the entire 9 months she's been out of the womb and has been to the ER and doctor's office every single month. Of course if I brought up that it was maybe because she smoked while pregnant with her, I'd probably get *****ed at.

Naomi_84

I am currently studying to become a midwife and have a professional duty to "educate" mothers to be on the harmful effects of smoking on their baby. I do not agree with it at all but must be non judgemental and understand that for some people, smoking is a huge part of their lives, pregnancy can be an extremely stressful life event and going cold turkey for some people is not an option but cutting down is also beneficial (I think it's amazing you were able to just stop by the way and I wish all women could and would) but it's not realistic for everyone.

I just hope that for most women common sense will prevail and they will prioritise their babies needs before their own (they're gonna have to do it for the rest of their lives as a parent so why not start right away??!!).

I do think that some women choose to be ignorant of the dangers of smoking when pregnant, sometimes it's an, "It won't happen to me", attitude. Some women who I see who come from whole families of smokers, whos Mums, Grannies and Great Grannies smoked whilst pregnant will say, "Well it never did me any harm!". I think this is the worst type of attitude. It was acceptable to smoke in a car with the windows up and children in the car in the 70's but we know more now, we have more concrete evidence that this is harmful and so we should be taking notice and making changes for our sake and for our children. I have handled the placentas of women who are heavy smokers and cannot believe how unhealthy they feel and look, grey and gritty and calcified. I wish we could show these to the mother and say, "LOOK!!" This was your babies lifeline and look what you're smoking did to it. They baby may look fine and healthy on the outside but only with ignorance or lack of education could you truly believe you can put those toxins into the mix where your babies' complicated and delicate development is happening and it do no harm at all.

mudya

I agree!

08caseyk

My mother in law smoked while pregnant with my husband. What made me more mad was she would smoke in the house after he was born, with him in the same room. She tried doing it with my children aswell. Shed try to light a cigarette while holding one of them(caused a huge fight). wth! and she'd smoke in the car while i was pregnant with her window up knowing mine was broken. Some people just don't care and it pisses me off. A child should ALWAYS come first. If you could put smoking over an unborn child or young childs health then theres something wrong with you. Just sayin..