Quit smoking during pregnancy

Pregnancy is a special time for you and your family. Planning your pregnancy gives you time to make healthy choices before you become pregnant. And one of the major healthy choices is of course quitting smoking if you smoke, because to conceive going smoke free could also improve your fertility. Besides, you may also get away from some serious problems including complications during labor, increased risk of miscarriage, premature birth and even stillbirth.

The benefits of not smoking will last your whole life. But changes related to the birth may trigger an old urge to smoke. So use the excitement of a new baby to stay smoke free. Think of your newborn’s first cry, that new-baby scent. Use all of your new skills to get through these busy months.

Although smoking is harmful throughout your pregnancy, the most damaging effects of smoking happen in months four to nine. This means that if you stop smoking within the first three months of your pregnancy, your baby is still likely to be a healthy weight.

Health risks for your baby
When you smoke, over 4,000 chemicals enter your body. One of these carry a poisonous gas called carbon monoxide that goes into your bloodstream and cuts down the oxygen reaching your baby. For every cigarette you smoke, the oxygen supplied to your baby is disrupted for 15 seconds, which means your baby ultimately experiences reduced blood flow for 15 minutes.

Besides oxygen disruption, it also makes hard for your baby to get enough nutrients. This means your baby will not develop as well and is more likely to have health problems such as ear infections, colds and an increased risk of sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS).

How you can quit smoking?
First of all you need to stay away from second-hand smoke and smoky places as much as you can. Making your own home smoke-free by asking your partner, family and visitors to smoke outside. It is definitely easier for you quit smoking if those around you are smoking outside, or have decided to quit themselves. Other tips include:

• Pick a day to quit. On that day get rid of your cigarettes!
• Change your routine to avoid times when you 'usually' smoke.
• When you crave a cigarette try to busy yourself in activities such as chewing gum, brushing your teeth, going for a walk, eating vegetable sticks or calling a friend.
• Let your partner, family and friends know so they can give you encouragement and support.

• Get some exercise. Keep practicing deep-breathing exercises.
• Review your list of triggers. Add any new ones that may show up.
• Remember how to let go of stress without smoking. Relax, take mental breaks, and try to lighten your outlook.
• Rest when the baby sleeps, and know when to say no to visitors. Set limits. It’s okay to protect your new family.

• Healthier breast milk
• Less chance of sudden infant death syndrome
• Fewer coughs and colds for you and your child
• Less risk of your child having allergies, asthma, or other lung problems
• Less chance that your child will smoke
• A greater chance of having a long and healthy life to spend together