No slamming me please!!!

Specialties Ob/Gyn

Published

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!

While quitting smoking and switching to nicotine replacements might protect you from the tar and carbon monoxide, the nicotine is still going to harm the baby. According to my drug book, the gum is pregnancy category X and the patch is category D, so I'd stick with the patch. NEITHER is a good idea during pregnancy, but smoking isn't any better. If you really don't think you can stop cold turkey, and it's a choice between continuation of the habit or using the patch, I'd go for the patch. Realize that by using it or by smoking, you're increasing the risks of miscarriage, low birthweight, etc. If you do choose try these replacements, you have to know that they're totally contraindicated in pregnancy, so if possible try to quit without it because you never know what is going to happen. There may be other things besides nicotine in these medications that can cause fetal defects. Please don't take this post as me recommending you take these meds - I'm saying that smoking and taking them both have the potential to cause problems or even loss of the pregnancy, but you do need to quit.

The only people I've known who've quit smoking cold turkey and stayed "clean" afterwards are those who got hypnotized - I'm totally serious. Maybe you can check that out? TOTALLY safe for baby!

well i didn't get hypnotized but i did quit cold turkey. i kept 6 cigarettes within reach for about a week. even had them in my car because i thought if i got stressed out at work i would need one and if it wasn't there i would want it more. it has now been since april 29, 2004 since i quit and its been great. now i don't know about the replacements with you being pregnant and everybody knows the risks. check with your ob because your actually just replacing one with the other and you would have to gradually decrease your dose but if the patches only have nicotine in them then i don't see the difference. noone is going to tell you its going to be alright to do any of them because of the liability but they can give you the info to make an informed choice. good luck just think positive. the hardest is the first 3 days then its the "oh i usually smoke a cig then" or someone else says " i am going to smoke want to go."

Specializes in Gerontological Nursing, Acute Rehab.

Thanks to everyone who replied....I appreciate your ideas and encouragement!

Ang75...I also thought about anti-depressants, as I know some of them are safe to take while pregnant. I'll swing that by my NP and see what she thinks. And thanks also for your kind words, I was a little nervous to post this, and I really hate being a "smoker", but I know that the majority of the people I've met on this board truly try to be supportive, and wouldn't lecture or put down.

Ugh, I hate this. I was really counting on being so sick this time, like I was with my other pregnancies, so that I could quit for good. Other than one really bad week, I haven't felt too bad. Good for my stomach, bad for my habit!

I might call the phone nurse on Monday and ask her if there's anything that I could try before my next appt. I'd really like to be well on my way to quitting before then. I've read that it's best if you can quit before the end of the 3rd month, since that's when fetal growth really starts to pick up. I've already called her twice before....she's really going to think I'm a pain in the butt! But I really feel ready this time, I don't want to backslide! It didn't used to bother me so much that I smoked when I was younger, but as I get older I start thinking of all the things that can happen, and I don't want to be a statistic.

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

I know how hard it is to quit. The cig. companies make the dam things to be as addictive as humanly possible. Please do not feel guilty. You are not alone with your addicition. There are many who are struggling just as you are. Please, please know you CAN conquer this beast. I did it many years ago & so can you! Suggestions:

1. Keep trying to quit, do not give up, most smokers take many, many attempts to quit before finally doing it. When you feel motivated, just keep trying.

2. Limited the amt you smoke might be a good method for you. If you smoke 20 now, drop down to 15, have some kinds of cut back method, with a final quit day. Keep yourself busy, go to places that do not allow smoking, movies, bookstores, take a bath, hike, anything that is not your usually pattern that will start the cravings.

3. Get support! Talk to you NP, go to tobacco cessation support groups.

4. Quitting or cutting down will bring oxygen into your system & baby.

5. You can do it, i promise, just keep trying, find the strength within, the first fews days are hard, then a little easier.

Hi,

I had success using the patch. The patch helped took away my physical cravings and by using the step down method I was slowly able to ween myself away from Tobacco. I did still want to smoke as the habit was linked to activities like driving. Having awareness of how my habit worked I could talk myself through urges that were more mental than physical. I was motivated to stop, but I knew "cold turkey" was not for me.

Quitting wasn't easy, but as time has passed, the benifit of feeling better became more important than the pleasure smoking gave me. Good Luck!

Congratulations on your pregnancy!

I just wanted to add that I smoked a pack a day for 5 years and could not quit. I tried the patch and the gum, neither worked for me. I would actually chew two pieces of Nicorette and was still dying for a cigarette, so I would break down and smoke a cig while chewing the gum. :uhoh21:

I finally quit cold turkey. I'm not saying that is what you should do. It took several failed attempts and the first week was a nightmare, but every day after that got easier and easier. The intense cravings didn't last that long, I just had to keep fighting them over and over again. But it was worth it!

You can do it! Good luck! :)

I heard from a friend that when she wanted to quit smoking she tried acupuncture to calm the cravings

They said that along with acupuncture there was also stickers that were put in the ear which she pressed on every so often and the cravings would go away

But be ware that there are certain points on the body that should be avoided when pregnant. I'm sure that the acupuncturists should know about it but just make sure that they know that you are pregnant

Not sure how it is but hey give it a shot, it has no nicotine, no gums.

Just needles, yea sounds scary but the needles are ultra thin, once it goes it and pushed in, doesn't hurt after that.

Removal of the needle doesn't even hurt, oh and no scars, also minimal bleeding to no bleedin at all.

Not sure if its your cup of tea, but think of the baby and your health

Good luck

Try acupuncture; I did and it worked for me to quit.

I too am proud of you for trying something.... hang in there.

night ;)

Just a quick note to also point out that there is a more to it than just the mental and physical cravings. This is a "habit" also, think about it if you smoke a pack a day and take ten puffs off each cig. then this is something you do 200 times per day, try to think of something/anything else you do this often and I bet you cant. So try to keep your hands busy to, fiddle with a pen, suck on dum-dums, anything that will imitate that hand to mouth motion you are used to doing 200 times per day and it may help a little. Also it may help if you break your routine, if you usually have a smoke after eating think up something else to do during that time BEFORE the craving kicks in so that you are busy and may not notice as much. As far as nicotine replacements go during pregnancy I have no clue if they will give you one, the doctors I work with won't under any circumstance, but I have always thought that was kinda dumb, after all it is not worse than smoking and it might even help you quit, but it is not good for you so I kinda see thier point. If they won't give you something, please continue to try and quit, don't give up this is too important to you and your baby. Good luck!

I just wanted to add that although I don't smoke, I did take Wellbutrin during my last pregnancy for depression. I would hardly take a Tylenol while pregnant with each of my 3 kids, but out of desperation I did take this med. My doc assured me that it was very safe for use during pregnancy. My baby was perfectly healthy when born and is still perfect to this day. :) I hope you're able to kick the habit soon.

Specializes in ICU.

The other hints are

1) get away from the "smoke smell" - it is one of the BIGGEST triggers for backsliding. Spray your curtains with that fabric odour killer stuff.

2) work out what is keeping you smoking at the moment - not why you want to and should quit - you know all of that but what has you doing another light up. Include your "triggers" i.e. after a meal, after coffee, after sex

4) address those things that keep you smoking and avoid your triggers (mind you on that last one your SO might have soemthing to say:))

5) Do something else. I quit by playing computer games. Got so involved that I did not notice the passage of time and therefore was able to quit - mind you I am now addicted to the computer but.......

I'm not a smoker, but I'm a Dr. Phil fan. ;) He says if you want to change a behavior, you have to replace it with a new behavior.

I recently started learning how to crochet, and one of the benefits I've found is that I can't munch on junk food while I'm doing it. :) Knitting, gardening, embroidery, etc, are all some things you can do and not be able to smoke since your hands and mind are occupied.

Don't know if that will be helpful at all, but good luck, and congratulations!

Specializes in ER, ICU, L&D, OR.

No matter what method you decided to use

It only works if you conciously make and commit to a decision to quit

Kudos to you for wanting to quit. It will be insanely hard, but you can do it. I smoked 2 packs a day until 1996. I see you live in PA, so I will give you the info. we give our moms. As part of the tocbacco settlement, your local hospital or health department may be able to offer you free smoking cessation counseling. Here's the # for the PA QUITLINE1 877 724 1090 and here's the webpage link http://www.dsf.health.state.pa.us/health/cwp/view.asp?a=174&Q=231892

Best of luck to you. You know you can do it!!! Congratulations on your pregnancy!!! :) :) :) :) :)

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