ewoklets

before i got pregnant, i was a smoker. when i found out i was preggers, i stopped caffeine, smoking, and anti-depressants. recently DH and i have been planning our wedding and dealing with our day to day stepfamily issues (he has two kids and nutso ex wife) and as a result, my stress levels have gone through the roof. i feel so bad for this, but i have to admit i've been sneaking a smoke here and there. i feel like i am a bad mother already and bubby isn't even born yet. i know it's wrong which makes me feel worse.

has anyone else struggled with smoking whilst pregnant? please don't reply telling me how bad smoking is, what a bad irresponsible person i am, etc, because i feel bad enough as it is and being told off is not why i posted this. i posted it to find out how many other former smokers are struggling with this too.

ps: sorry if that sounds all grumpy and defensive, i just know there are people who feel staunchly about this topic and getting yelled at won't help me - my mum has already done lots of that!

Ann-Marie

I totally understand !!
I smoke too. Lucky for me, as soon as I get pregnant, the smell makes me feel ill, so I don't all the way through. I did a gig on Saturday night, and I got really nervous and thought I wanted one, but I took one puff of one, and nearly threw up !!! Felt awful the second after I did it, but know that it woul not have done any harm.
I'm sure you know all the risks involved with smoking and pregnancy. Sometimes this is enough for people to be able to stop. But if not, the MW can help. I remember when I was first pregnant, telling the MW that I was really worried that I'd want to smoke again, and she actually said to me, that the withdrawal can be as damaging as actually smoking.
So get yourself along to your nearest smoking clinic, and tell them how you feel. Don't hide away, the talking helps to clarify everything
I hope you manage to overcome.... not only for bubs, but for yourself too
I have to say, as a singer, my voice has gotten so much more powerful and clear, and I'm hitting higher notes than I did before, since giving up with pregnancy. At least until I have no lung capacity due to bubs pushing her feet up there

Gabi

Luckily I quit smoking about 18 months ago. Just didn't appeal to me anymore.

In early pregnancy the smell of people smoking around me made me sick so I think I would've managed.

Smoking is my main paranoia. Silly really. With my last pregnancy my DH was still smoking. He only quit when I was 8 weeks. This time round I haven't gone near smokers in fear of another m/c. As I said... silly.

I will confess to feeling like a smoke yesterday... but I had a very stressful morning.

tinytoes

I quit before getting pregnant, and have only had one or two craves since being pregnant - and I havent smoked once. I think I'm just too scared of feeling like a bad mother (not telling you you are!!!).
Go to your GP. They can help.
But if it's just teh odd one at least it's not a whole packet. My SIL was told to have one a day rather than get worked up about having none...but then I figure if you're only having 1 what's the point?

I found that when i crave I just tell myself that it wont help to smoke - I mean, I've survived this long without one, why on earth would i need one when I'm stressed?! It's just the nicotine monster playing games with you - it really is all lies when he tells you you neeeeeed to smoke. Thtas the last thing we need!

If planning your wedding is stressing you out take a break from it - we all know stress is no good for us pregnant ladies!!!
Weddings get all out of control in my view. They're ment to be fun. Downsize or soemthing? Or delay things? You've got to think about baby now.

good luck.

nikky0907

Don't feel bad about it...

Stress is also harmful for the baby,so as Ann-Marie said,go to a smoking clinck and ask them what would be the best solution for you.

Gabi

Yeh that is one thing about weddings. I had just quit smoking 3 months before mine so it was very difficult.

Take a break, go out to the movies. Try no to think about the wedding for a day or two. Delegate. I'm sure loads of people would love to take work off your hands.

One thing I've noticed though is that no matter what happens, everything will fall into place with a wedding. It always turns out alright in the end. And those little things that you forget about till the last minute weren't meant to be in the first place.

BeckyBoo

Don't feel bad about it. It is an addiction. The fact it's one or two here and there isn't going to do much harm. My mum smoked through all 3 pregnancies and me and my brothers are absolutely fine. Just don't beat yourself up about it hunnie.

tinytoes

Wedding planning can be so unromantic... I'm not married, but was nearly once, and when I do, i just want a family bbq. Nothing fancy, no pomp. That way it doesnt matter if things go wrong! Just family and friends and a casual party in the garden. That'll do me.

Just remember - smoking doesnt calm us, it actually raises the pulse rate (test it, it's true). It wont help your stress, it actually makes it worse...it's just the nictine-monster trying to needle it's way into your life again. Don't let it!

Gabi

Ugh. I know tinytoes. I was so glad when we finally said "I do" LOL just because it was all over and done with! It was worth it.... but please! Not again!!! LOL