How to Quit Smoking During Pregnancy

Smoking is one of the hardest habits to kick, especially, when you have to do it suddenly without warning. When pregnancy occurs, you don't have time to mentally prepare yourself to quit smoking and deal with nicotine withdrawals. It is almost an immediate change that must occur or it could be a matter of life or death. In this article you will learn some simple ways to help break your smoking habit during pregnancy.

Know what is important and what is not. Is baby more important or your pack of Newport's? You have to come to a realization that baby has to be more important and that you are not only responsible for your health but for baby's as well. Yeah, smoking gives you a sense of comfort, relaxation, and stimulation, however, your baby has to over power all of these things.

Choose how you are going to quit. You will have to decide if you are going to quit cold turkey or slowly reduce your intake. I suggest cold-turkey, as it worked for me, however, this may not be logical or even possible for some people without going completely insane. You need to pick a "last-day", set it, and make it happen. You should set in your mind that you will no longer smoke past this specific day. Be firm and prepare yourself. This day maybe in a couple days or it may be in a couple weeks. However, you don't want to make the date to far in the future, because you could be causing serious damage to baby's lungs.

Hang out with non-smokers more often. Get out of the smoking crowd. Stay away from your smoker friends. You can even let them know why. You may be surprised; some may want to go on the quitting smoking journey with you to help as a motivation. Begin hanging around people who don't smoke so that you are not triggered by the habit of others.

Do several activities with your hands. Smoking allows your hands to become busy; however, you can substitute that feeling with working with your hands. Rub a stress ball, sew, knit new booties for baby, do a puzzle, type on the computer, play a video game. Do whatever you have to do to keep those hands moving and away from holding a cigarette.

Take several showers. This one may sound odd, but the reason people have nicotine withdrawals are because the nicotine level in the body is low. You want to rid your body of the nicotine all together. Taking several showers a day clears out your pores of nicotine lingering about in the body. You will also want to drink lots of water in order to flush out all of the nicotine hanging around inside.

Because smoking is an oral activity you will want to try substituting the sensation for other things. Try eating sunflower seeds, they are healthy and they are addictive in a good way. You can also try eating hard candies, popcorn, or gum. You can even chew on a pencil or a toothpick to help with your oral fixation.

Nicotine is a stimulant and is one way it works to hold on to smokers, by causing stimulation. If you smoke for the stimulation then go on a brisk walk or jog down the street. Find a good book to read or drink a cola (not too many). Do these things if you just need something to get you going. You can also try exercising instead of smoking or making love with your husband.

Avoid your old smoking places. If you always smoke on the back porch, avoid going out there for a few days. If have a designated smoking area on the side of your office building, stay away from that area during your pregnancy. Sometimes things as simple as people or places cause an immediate trigger to go and smoke. Avoid these places if you want a better chance of quitting.

Feeling the urge to smoke can cause you stress. If you feel a sudden urge come on, take several deep breaths of fresh air, pausing in between each one. Hold in the last breath and blow out like you are puffing air. This can give your body the feeling that you are smoking, however, in reality you are not.

What if you slip and have a cigarette? Don't freak out, it is all going to be ok. You need to continue to focus on your reason and motivation for not smoking. The less you smoke the better that is for baby. Tell yourself that smoking is something that just can not happen, no matter what. Tell yourself that you are doing something wonderful for your unborn child. Always remember baby.

I hope this article was helpful God willing.

Resources
What to Expect When You are Expecting by Arlene Eisnberg, Heidi E. Murkoff, and Sandee E. Hathaway, B.S.N.