Quitting smoking...

Hi fellow (soon to be) mommies! This is my first post, but I've been reading a lot of forum posts over the last few months, and am excited to finally interact with you!

I'm 21w6d along, and have to admit that I haven't been able to quit smoking yet. I feel so guilty! But this addiction is really kicking my ass. I cut down from 1pk (20-25 smokes) before I found out, to 8/day. Unfortunately, that didn't last very long, and I'm now back up to 15 or so a day.

Most of the time I don't even realize how many cigarettes I've had during the day, and once I start thinking about smoking, or even see someone on tv having one, I instantly want one. Sometimes I still crave one right after I'm done having one!

I would love everyone's advice... how many ladies have managed to quit? How far along were you when you quit? How much did/do you smoke? And of course, how have you managed to quit? If there's anyone who hasn't quit, do you plan on quitting? Have you set a "quit date" and how many days/weeks in advance do/did you set it?

I always thought the incentive of having a happy, healthy baby would be enough, and it really should be. I'm so excited to finally be a mommy, and want to be the best mommy I can be, yet I know that I'm only hurting both of us (and even SO, although he's a smoker, it's important to him that I quit too)... That's why I feel so guilty about it, and I don't get any sympathy, not that I really expect it... Please be nice, ladies, I really do want to quit, just need some support, I guess...

I quit when I was about 5 months pregnant, cold turkey, and I am still not a smoker 5 months PP although I crave all the time. You can do it momma  

I would talk to your doctor. Mine had me cut back and not quit, especially that late. Quitting cold turkey would be harder on baby now and make you stress way too much.

I quit by fifteen-twenty weeks or so, and about ten of those weeks I was down to one or two a day. I was a pack to a pack and a half. You just have to tell yourself no. Have your SO go outside to smoke and get rid of all your ashtrays, wash them and put them away. Try to get the smell out of your house, that really helps. Don't buy anymore, if you have one, it has to be a bummed one, if it bothers you to bum smokes that will help. Don't let him smoke in your car or in front of you at all. Try chewing gum or doing something with your hands when you get a craving, and just don't be around it for a while. I've been quit for almost six months now, good luck!

December 16th will be two years since I quit. I quit cold turkey when I was about 8 weeks along with my third. Good luck to you hun! Quitting has been one of the best decisions I have ever made. I am so proud of myself and it's such a great feeling being a non-smoker.  

Ladies, thank you so much for your kind words and encouragement. I know that the rewards will be great, and that I will be so proud of myself once I've finally managed to kick the habit. I guess I'm just scared of trying (and scared to fail!) and so I keep putting it off and avoiding it. I have to admit it - it's going to be really hard!

I'd love to hear from someone who is in the same boat as me, maybe having someone go through it at the same time (like weight-loss buddies) would make it a bit easier. I'd love to have a quit-smoking buddy to chat with!

Smoking here. Trying to quit but like you I get bored or long drives in car and smoking. Sometimes I don't realize I put one out in order to light one up again. It's annoying to be honest. I'm 13 weeks today and I know my doctor will have me cut down slowly but it's easier to quit once you have given birth and stay in the hospital because when you get home you don't want to smoke.

Quoting s00nt0be04:" Smoking here. Trying to quit but like you I get bored or long drives in car and smoking. Sometimes I ... [snip!] ... but it's easier to quit once you have given birth and stay in the hospital because when you get home you don't want to smoke."

Urgh, I was just about to "post reply" to you, but pressed the backspace button instead, so I lost everything I typed...

Anyways, what I was saying, was that I know many women (of many different ages) who have smoked during their whole pregnancy, only to quit once they get baby home. Although I am very proud and excited for them to have finally quit, it makes me wonder why they couldn't/didn't quit while they were pregnant and baby was dependent on them for their oxygen.

I certainly can't pass judgement on them, or anyone else who has done this (or chooses to do this) because if I can't/don't quit before giving birth, I would would assume quitting after bringing baby home would be the 2nd best thing.

I wish you the best of luck, and if you choose to quit before baby's born, or choose a "quit date", then please let me know. Hopefully I'll be able to muster the courage to do the same!  

<blockquote><b>Quoting ScienceGeekMomma:</b>" Urgh, I was just about to "post reply" to you, but pressed the backspace button instead, so I lost everything ... [snip!] ... born, or choose a "quit date", then please let me know. Hopefully I'll be able to muster the courage to do the same!  "</blockquote>



I haven't chosen a quit date yet but I know this time I do want to. Just haven't decided if it should before thanksgiving or after the holidays. You know those hard times to be without! A friend of mine quit cold turkey then lapsed so when she quit the second time she would have her husband hide 5 cigs an if she found them then she would quit eventually she said she got tired of looking and quit. Too me that may have worked for her but IMO I would of got tired of looking and went a bought some LOL. Before this pregnancy it was easier for me to quit. But my smoking has grown to be heavier this time around. Which sucks. I used to smoke once a week with my others and finally stopped all together when I felt no urge.

Quoting ScienceGeekMomma:" Ladies, thank you so much for your kind words and encouragement. I know that the rewards will be great, ... [snip!] ... it at the same time (like weight-loss buddies) would make it a bit easier. I'd love to have a quit-smoking buddy to chat with!"

I will sooo be that buddy - I've gotten down to about 6 -10 a day on a bad day and there have been a few days here or there where I'll go without or only have 1 but within a few days I'm back to whimpering and whining about wanting a smoke and DH is a push over and goes and gets them for me lol, its not his resonsiblity and he keeps trying to tell me No but I'm an ass when I'm jonesing.