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Q&A: Is it safe to quit smoking cold turkey while pregnant?

I'm pregnant. Can quitting smoking cold turkey hurt me or my baby?

Re: I'm pregnant. Can quitting smoking cold turkey hurt me or my baby?

The Bump Expert

Kicking the habit is definitely the best thing you can do for you and baby, but there is evidence to suggest that people who smoke 20 or more cigarettes a day are at a small risk of having seizures if they quit cold turkey. So in this case, you may want to wean yourself gradually. How? First try to cut down to five cigarettes a day and slowly work down to zero. It may take a few weeks for your withdrawal symptoms to subside, but don’t worry -- you’ll get there. Don’t feel like you need to go it alone. Speak to your doc for further guidance and advice.

Kerry Dougherty | March 01 , 2010 2:18 PM

Q&A: Is it safe to quit smoking cold turkey while pregnant?

I just found out I was pregnant on this past friday, and had my last smoke friday night. I haven't had a smoke since then, it is almost 48 hours and i have been fine. reminding myself that i am pregnant helps. It is not as bad as i thought it was. No bad withdrawal symptoms.

bgchic | September 26 , 2010 6:53 PM

Q&A: Is it safe to quit smoking cold turkey while pregnant?

I just found out I'm pregnant a few days ago. I was smoking over a pack a day. I work at a smoke shop and the smell of the smoke makes me sick unless I smoke also, so at work I smoke a lot. Since I found out I was pregnant I asked my aunt (Who's a baby nurse) and she told me that I should wean myself cause the stress can be worse for my baby then the smoking. So I have started by smoking half a cigarette, instead of a whole one, that way I smoke less. Also, I'm limiting myself to one half an hour while at work, which usually equals about 3, and 2 outside of work, at the most. It has already given me a major none-stop head ache, but it's worth it for my little one :)

beautifulcreation | October 02 , 2010 8:36 PM

Q&A: Is it safe to quit smoking cold turkey while pregnant?

I had been wanting to quit, and finally was, I suppose, physically & emotionally ready two Mondays ago. I would smoke 2 maybe 4 cigs a day. Last Monday, I took a home preg test & found out I was pregnant. Since then, absolutely NO smoking. Last week, now & then I would get a momentary pang, but it would subside quickly & I've been feeling better and better every day that goes by without a cig on my lip & the little baby that's growing in my tum :)

AMedina2010 | November 29 , 2010 9:34 PM

Q&A: Is it safe to quit smoking cold turkey while pregnant?

I had slowly been cutting back on my smoking from 10-15 per day to about 5-8 per day and since I found out I was pregnant two days ago I have been smoking a lot more. I think I just need to get back in the non smoking mood. The holidays always seem to be the worst time to quit anyways...

krissywags | December 18 , 2010 11:43 PM

Q&A: Is it safe to quit smoking cold turkey while pregnant?

My pregnancy wasn't planned, so I had been smoking like I normally would. I didn't even know I was pregnant until my 6th week because I was on the pill and the only symptom I had was fatigue, but I was getting over strep throat, too. I'm cutting down before I quit--hopefully Dec. 31--and I just keep telling myself to relax and breathe. If I slip up or smoke many more than the goal for that day, I tell myself it happens and try not to beat myself up about it, because that just stresses me out. And everyone knows what stress relief smokers reach for... Just trying to take it a day at a time.

shortie2008 | December 25 , 2010 4:58 PM

Q&A: Is it safe to quit smoking cold turkey while pregnant?

after i found out i was prego i went from 2 packs to one a day then a few days later i went down to five then two then one then i finally quit it only took me two weeks plus the taste and smell started making me sick so that helped alot and everytime i think about starting again i think about the baby and how hard it was to quit its deff not worth it.

courtneybarnett | February 17 , 2011 10:04 AM

Q&A: Is it safe to quit smoking cold turkey while pregnant?

Immediate after taking the home pregnancy test I had my last cigarette. Up till then I have been a smoker of about 15 per day on average for the past 17 years! But I know that given my age, not smoking is the best option. I'm now 9 weeks and smoke free! I won't say it was super easy - it certainly didn't help in keeping the weight down - but I think it's better safe than sorry. We all face stress in our lives anyway, there is no reason to add more on our baby by smoking. I have had the urge - but I try to put that in the back of my head. No need to say that quitting both cigarettes and caffeine at the same time has been crazy!

houbie | March 01 , 2011 1:30 PM

Q&A: Is it safe to quit smoking cold turkey while pregnant?

i had been a pack a day smoker for 7 years. the day i found out i was pregnant, i had one cigarette split up throughout the day and havent touched one since. i didnt experience any physical problems that i noticed (like seizures) but i was VERY moody, and at some times got angry very quickly and to a degree that actually scared me. i have had a couple anxiety attacks as well, and i wonder if they have anything to do with having quit smoking. i dont pick up again because i do not want to put my baby at risk, but im beginning to get a little worried about what effect my anxiety could have.

BeeziesBaby | March 01 , 2011 7:10 PM

Q&A: Is it safe to quit smoking cold turkey while pregnant?

I had a friend who was the better part of 2 months along before she found out she was pregnant. She had been an almost a pack-a-day smoker and she tried to quit cold turkey. Her blood pressure shot through the roof and she had a couple anxiety attacks. Her doctor told her that quitting like that was probably the worst idea, as she sent herself AND her baby into shock. He recommended nicotene patches and gum to help ease herself off of her addiction to nicotene. Now the process was a bit more intense than if she hadn't been pregnant, and it was hard on her. But she was able to cut out cigs completely within 4 weeks, and her baby is perfectly healthy :)

MrsLindinger0905 | March 29 , 2011 12:32 PM

Q&A: Is it safe to quit smoking cold turkey while pregnant?

I quit cold turkey. The second I found out I was pregnant I quit. I also read that the smoke goes through the placenta and the baby caughs and shakes. That was enough for me! Plus the added bonus is that now the smell of it makes me sick, so I will probably never smoke again.

amandaj1231 | March 31 , 2011 2:55 PM

Q&A: Is it safe to quit smoking cold turkey while pregnant?

i also quit last week,when i found i was expecting.ppl say stopping cold turkey ,is a no-no,but on the flip side tell you,you should stop immediately because it chokes the baby.i decided it would be selfish to keep smoking,when i am responsible for another person,one that is relying on me to make decisions for it....its really easy when ur thinking about a baby.

MSHARLEM147 | May 02 , 2011 1:18 AM

Q&A: Is it safe to quit smoking cold turkey while pregnant?

I was a pack a day smoker for 13 years and always told myself that I would quit when pregnant. Once I found out I pretty much stopped cold turkey - it was easy since I knew it was what I wanted. I had a few here and there after but mostly they tasted gross and the smell was too strong. I havent smoked now for at least 18 weeks (4.5 mos) and i still WANT a cigarette but its not the cravings they were. I've been told they never fully go away either, but I am pretty sure if I did try one it would taste funny, and I really don't want to start back up after the baby is born. But I def. didn't have any side effects, besides the weight gain!

twilightangel12 | May 31 , 2011 7:28 PM

Q&A: Is it safe to quit smoking cold turkey while pregnant?

I essentially quit smoking from a 20 + cigarette habit cold turkey & I have been smoking for nine years. It is not fun but you have to measure the pros as far as your babies health goes. I previously loss a child at 13 weeks so when I found out I was pregnant I went into freak out mode and stopped doing anything that I thought might hurt the baby. It was one of the most difficult things I have ever done and I will most likely smoke again after I am done breastfeeding because I enjoy cigarettes but I have been smoke free for five months. It is all about willpower. My doctor said it was completely okay to quit cold turkey and that the baby will benefit more from the increase in oxygen than it will hurt or have withdrawal from the lack of nicotine. I will say this, when I quit smoking I was sick as a dog for about 2 months as a result of my lungs cleaning out though. Be forewarned.

keatherharris | June 11 , 2011 5:40 PM

Q&A: Is it safe to quit smoking cold turkey while pregnant?

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sedid | July 27 , 2011 3:23 AM

Q&A: Is it safe to quit smoking cold turkey while pregnant?

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sedid | July 27 , 2011 3:23 AM

Q&A: Is it safe to quit smoking cold turkey while pregnant?

I smoked 15-20 cigarettes a day, on and off, for 10 years. I tried to quit many times before but never kicked the habit completely. The minute I found out I was pregnant, even the thought of smoking turned my stomach. All the desire and craving for a cigarette went away. Luckily, I've had a very easy time with it. A good friend of mine did not react the same way while pregnant and she had terrible anxiety and stress while attempting to quit. She was not able to quit and smoked, lightly, during her pregnancy and her baby is perfect. Her doctor told her the stress and anxiety were actually worse for the baby than the smoking. Everyone is different so if you smoke, listen to your body and your doctor.

babybetz | August 21 , 2011 12:21 AM

Q&A: Is it safe to quit smoking cold turkey while pregnant?

There are tons of smoking replacement products you can choose from nowadays. If you really feel like you can’t stop smoking, talk to a doctor and friends about it. I guarantee you, it always helps!

GreenEd98 | August 26 , 2011 4:37 AM

Q&A: Is it safe to quit smoking cold turkey while pregnant?

I am sure quitting for the sake of your baby will be worth it, but the best way is to consult your doctor and get the correct supplies and medication if needed. Take care!

J3nnYCP4p | September 01 , 2011 12:00 AM

Q&A: Is it safe to quit smoking cold turkey while pregnant?

I am 7 weeks and im on day 10 of not smoking. I smoked up to two packs a day on bad days for 8yrs.. It has been extreamly hard for me .. I had to cut down at first.. i trained myself to smoke by the clock at first so that i could get over the stress smoking.. you know.. im upset so i need a smoke super bad. and then one day after several failed attampts o go all dayy without one, it happened.. and it was the hardest thing for the first 3 days especially.. and im still having cravings but its for my babies! I have felt very light headed and almost stupid since i quite but i have a history of seizures. so far, if i have or am having seizures they are absent or peddy mau.. instead of grand mau which is where u violently jerk... Thank heavens!!

MrsLambinator33 | December 31 , 2011 11:46 AM

Q&A: Is it safe to quit smoking cold turkey while pregnant?

For a few weeks, I had realized I wasn't smoking as much as normal which normal for me was only about half a pack a day. November 28th I had went to work not realizing I only had 2 cigarettes left. I had smoked those two while at work but was also getting sick(or so I thought). By the end of the day my mom aka my boss told me I had to go to a doctor because we couldn't figure out why I was sick. They did blood work which consisted of a pregnancy test and it came back positive. I haven't had a cigarette since! At first when I'd see other smoke, I'd think about smoking one but then would think of my baby and smile. I guess me 'getting sick' at work was just my baby telling me it was time to quit.

smith2122 | January 07 , 2012 7:34 PM

Q&A: Is it safe to quit smoking cold turkey while pregnant?

I quit cold turkey. I had quit smoking for 4 months then started again about a month before I found out I was pregnant. I noticed I felt nauseous when I smoked and the smell was horrid to me. Now that I know I have a little one inside me, it is a lot easier to quit smoking!

aburbur | February 07 , 2012 5:39 PM

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