No slamming me please!!!

J Lynn · Jun 12, 2004

In addition to all the great advice that was given.....try prayer. God will help those who want to help themselves. Just my thoughts.

Energizer Bunny · Jun 12, 2004

Oh sweetie...no answers here, but I know what you are going through. I went through it with all three of mine and was only completely successful with the last one. Of course, I took it right back up again (not as much though) after he was born. Smoking stinks. I know how you feel and I want to quit too.........it's so hard. I am here for any kind of support I can give you! ((((((((((((huggles)))))))))))

mother/babyRN, RN · Jun 12, 2004

.smoking is more difficult to quit than heroin...Proud of you for trying to find a way. I have a friend who was successful with acupuncture...Of course, my husband quit smoking the day his MI forced him into the intensive care unit...So difficult, but YOU have made the first step. Bully for you!

jkaee · Jun 14, 2004

Gosh, I love all you guys!!!!! What incredible support and encouragement I get here!

I think what I've decided to try until my next visit is to cut down the # of cigs I have every few days. I'll have my husband leave me a certain amount each day, that way I won't be able to just smoke at will. When I go to see my NP, I'll see what she has to say about other options I have. I think that at this point, unfortunately, I'm going to need some kind of intervention as well as trying to quit on my own. If I only knew then what I know now....

I think I'll also try to find a "hobby" as some of you have suggested. Who knows, maybe I'll crochet 50 afghans and donate them to the old folks where I work!

Thanks again everyone, and I'll keep you posted!

rnmi2004 · Jun 16, 2004

Congratulations on your pregnancy!

You had some great suggestions already. I just have one to add: in addition to cutting down on the # of cigarettes, try smoking just half a cigarette at a time.

And please, for your sake and for your baby's sake, don't quit quitting! :)

Dixiedi · Jun 16, 2004

Ok, like the title states, I don't need lectures or statistics, just an answer to my question. I know the majority of you guys will do this, but there are always some out there.....
As some of you may know, I'm about 10 weeks pregnant now. I'm a smoker (boo hiss) and I DESPERATELY want to quit. I was able to pretty much quit with my other pregnancies, but I just can't seem to this time. I am sick of smoking, sick of all of it, sick of going outside in the rain and cold, and just sick of being so darn dependent on it. I am ready to quit, but I just can't deal with the cravings. It's terrible to see what nicotine has done to me!
My question is this, and of course I plan on asking my NP, but I'd like to hear from everyone. Is it safe to use the nicotine gum/lozenges while pregnant? My reasoning is that that would be better than the tar and carbon monoxide thats in cigs, but I really feel that I could do it this time if I could just get help with the cravings. Has anyone heard of any studies or situations where nicotine replacement systems were used during pregnancy? Have you had any pts that used them?
Now, PLEASE, don't anyone tell me to "just quit". It's SO not that easy, and I wish it was. This is a true physical addiction for me, and I think I have a handle on the pyschological part of it, I just need help with the physical symptoms of withdrawl.
Thanks everyone in advance for their support and advice!

As I light up my smoke, I am going to lecture, lecture, lecture... bash, bash, bash...

Then tell you I saw a commercial not so long ago; A pregnate lady asked her MD about it and the reply was..."it's better than the cigarette."

OK, it was a commercial and we all know about commercials and it may not be better for everyone so, as everyone else has said, best to ask your NP.

BTY! Good luck! I have tried to quit several times but have fallen prey to the darn things again and again. They are so blasted expensive! If there's ANY hx of lung/heart problems in your family tree associated with smokes, please do find the help you are looking for even if it is taking an extra pt or two every shift so you don't have time to go out!

hock1 · Jun 16, 2004

Ok, like the title states, I don't need lectures or statistics, just an answer to my question. I know the majority of you guys will do this, but there are always some out there.....
As some of you may know, I'm about 10 weeks pregnant now. I'm a smoker (boo hiss) and I DESPERATELY want to quit. I was able to pretty much quit with my other pregnancies, but I just can't seem to this time. I am sick of smoking, sick of all of it, sick of going outside in the rain and cold, and just sick of being so darn dependent on it. I am ready to quit, but I just can't deal with the cravings. It's terrible to see what nicotine has done to me!
My question is this, and of course I plan on asking my NP, but I'd like to hear from everyone. Is it safe to use the nicotine gum/lozenges while pregnant? My reasoning is that that would be better than the tar and carbon monoxide thats in cigs, but I really feel that I could do it this time if I could just get help with the cravings. Has anyone heard of any studies or situations where nicotine replacement systems were used during pregnancy? Have you had any pts that used them?
Now, PLEASE, don't anyone tell me to "just quit". It's SO not that easy, and I wish it was. This is a true physical addiction for me, and I think I have a handle on the pyschological part of it, I just need help with the physical symptoms of withdrawl.
Thanks everyone in advance for their support and advice!

My mother smoked a carton and 1/2 a week with all three of her pregnancies! The doctor smoked in the room. There is a picture somewhere of my mom holding me in one arm and the other hand has a cig in it. My grandparents and Dad were a lit up too! With all three of my pregnancies I cut back to one or two cigarettes a day. Somedays I did great and didn't smoke at all. The doc told me that neither the smoking replacement systems nor smoking were good for the babies and just to 'quit'. Easier said that done. I've quit for three year stretches and then go back for a few months. Nodoby, nobody, nobody is aloud to smoke inside my home or in the car regardless if kids are present or not. At least I can protect them outside the womb. All three were healthy birthweight. Although I should add that anytime an emotional outburst or bad test grade happens, I blame smoking. Try your best to cut back. I tried gum, veggies, and water to space when a smoke would be in my mouth. Good luck.

TammyWilson808 · Jun 19, 2004

Ok, like the title states, I don't need lectures or statistics, just an answer to my question. I know the majority of you guys will do this, but there are always some out there.....
As some of you may know, I'm about 10 weeks pregnant now. I'm a smoker (boo hiss) and I DESPERATELY want to quit. I was able to pretty much quit with my other pregnancies, but I just can't seem to this time. I am sick of smoking, sick of all of it, sick of going outside in the rain and cold, and just sick of being so darn dependent on it. I am ready to quit, but I just can't deal with the cravings. It's terrible to see what nicotine has done to me!
My question is this, and of course I plan on asking my NP, but I'd like to hear from everyone. Is it safe to use the nicotine gum/lozenges while pregnant? My reasoning is that that would be better than the tar and carbon monoxide thats in cigs, but I really feel that I could do it this time if I could just get help with the cravings. Has anyone heard of any studies or situations where nicotine replacement systems were used during pregnancy? Have you had any pts that used them?
Now, PLEASE, don't anyone tell me to "just quit". It's SO not that easy, and I wish it was. This is a true physical addiction for me, and I think I have a handle on the pyschological part of it, I just need help with the physical symptoms of withdrawl.
Thanks everyone in advance for their support and advice!

Aloha JKAEE,

Congrats for recognizing what you need to do for your health and your baby's. Don't wait, go to your NP and tell her what you want to do. You've done the biggest step already by recognizing what you need to do. It is truly an addiction that you know you can't deal with alone. Go talk story with her---I really don't know what the best way to deal with quitting, so get back to me. Let me know how you're doing. Way to go!

Aloha,

Tammy

lynn27 · Jun 26, 2004

Hi Jkaee. I did exactly what you are doing--I cut back my number of cigarettes until I was down to 1 0r 2 a day. Then at 4 mos along I quit altogether. That was 16 years ago and I haven't smoked since. It was a good thing, too because baby #1 and baby#2 developed asthma and I can only imagine how much worse it would have been if I had continued smoking. I'm proud of you for trying--You can do it!!

RNBSN1 · Jun 26, 2004

kjaee, I smoked for 17 years (1-3 packs per day), haven't had a cigarette in over 10 years, and quit cold turkey. I've tried to quit hundreds of times and used just about every method under the sun. When you're sincerely ready to quit, if ever, you will. You'll have to learn how to cope with those uncomfortable cravings (they become weaker over the years), in a healthy way, and not give in, because they'll come and go for the rest of your life. In my experience, if I take one puff, its all over- and I refuse to get on that merry-go -round again.