I'm 9 weeks pregnant - advice please!!

[Scottbee]

TALK TO YOUR DOCTOR.

My wife was a smoker before becoming pregnant with our daughter. She tried desperately to quit once she discovered that she was pregnant. That led to other medical issues... digestive/bowel problems, blood pressue issues, agitation.. etc.. Our doctor told her that smoking was detrimental to her pregnancy.... but he also said that the things that her body was going through during her detox were also bad for the pregnancy. She (our doctor) ultimately suggested to my wife that she cut down to the minimal level of smoking necessary to avoid the detox trauma.

In our case that ended up being about 4 cigarettes a day.

This is one isolated, specific case. It certainly isn't qualified medical advice.

 

[rfun6]

No one knows for sure what to tell you to do. Will it hurt the baby or not? Some people never smoke and still have problems. I smoked with all three of mine and they are all healthy and great (and no low birth weight). But that was me, not you. The doctors advised me not to, but later I would see them outside the office puffing away.
So I would say go with your gut. If you are already quit, then try to stay that way. Or I would go along with other person that said vape the 0 nicotine.

 

[LaceyUnderall]

Sinead -

Congrats on the new baby!

Here is some information you should discuss with your physician:

http://www.e-cig.org/pdfs/EPA-Approval-of-PG.pdf

"The Agency has concluded that the FQPA Safety Factor for propylene glycol and dipropylene glycol should be removed (equivalent to 1X) because there is no pre- or post-natal evidence of increased susceptibility for infants and children following exposure to either propylene or dipropylene glycol."

Now... about nicotine... if you are going to vape... you can always consider the no-nicotine. HOWEVER!!! Make sure that the no-nicotine you purchase actually has no-nicotine in it... as the FDA study found that no-nicotine doesn't mean no-nicotine. This will help you with the action of smoking which might be all you need. (See PaulZ's) post regarding the a DIY liquid

On the other hand, if you need nicotine, then the NZ study is a great one for the physician to read as it talks about how much nicotine the user may actually be getting. http://www.e-cig.org/pdfs/2008-NZ-Report.pdf There is also a study that is currently finished and being analyzed, which doesn't help you much right now, by the National Cancer Institute that will either back up or discredit the NZ report.

Also... my suggestion... find bonniegirl. She can be found here and at Right To Vape - Index. She is an RN and has also worked for the le leche league and knows a load about pregnancy, breast feeding, nicotine use, etc. A wealth of information!!!

 

[PaulZ]

i found no reason to actually get e-juice if your smoking non-nic. just get VG and flavoring. cheap, easy.. no nic so your baby wont be affected by nicotine (as you may get him addicted to it while smoking nic) and VG/PG has been approved for use during pregnancy.. as have candy flavorings

 

[surbitonPete]

Can't really give much advice........but want to say Congratulations and whatever you do just think positive and good thoughts and try not to let anything worry you.

 

[sherid]

TALK TO YOUR DOCTOR.

My wife was a smoker before becoming pregnant with our daughter. She tried desperately to quit once she discovered that she was pregnant. That led to other medical issues... digestive/bowel problems, blood pressue issues, agitation.. etc.. Our doctor told her that smoking was detrimental to her pregnancy.... but he also said that the things that her body was going through during her detox were also bad for the pregnancy. She (our doctor) ultimately suggested to my wife that she cut down to the minimal level of smoking necessary to avoid the detox trauma.

In our case that ended up being about 4 cigarettes a day.

This is one isolated, specific case. It certainly isn't qualified medical advice.

Yep. My doctor said no more than 8 a day. I smoked 4 per day. I can say that if it were today, I would not smoke any, but the reality is always different. I don't think I would ever vape while pregnant though. Despite all we know about smoking, we know far less about vaping. If it's just me, then I feel safe vaping. When it extends to a baby, I would be too stressed to do it. In the end, you have to make the choice that works best for you.

 

[Vicks Vap-oh-Yeah]

TALK TO YOUR DOCTOR.

We can offer opinions till we're blue in the face, but this is YOUR body and YOUR baby.

TALK TO YOUR DOCTOR.

I managed to quit cold turkey for both kids, but I had it easy (cig smoke made me sick to my stomach)

TALK TO YOUR DOCTOR.

Take some information to him, and discuss your options. Others in this thread have posted some good links to take in to him.

Did I mention: TALK TO YOUR DOCTOR?

 

[BrockJ]

I think I get a higher level of nicotine now than I ever did when I smoked analogs.
I'm like the hamster in the cage with a water bottle full of nicotine on one side and water on the other. Guess which one I'm at )
I do think that vaping is less harmful than the analogs but the problem is that I can do it all the time now. And I do. It didn't start off that way but Damn I like that nicotine mamma.

I think the best thing would be to have no freaky substances enter your body while with child. (Congrats by the way) but as stated earlier, that's just what I think.
God only knows that mothers use to stand over fires while cooking vittles and breathe in all the smoke and still managed to have babies that were fine. Others do everything they can, take every precaution, eat only organic materials and still have problems with pregnancy.

Lifes a crap shoot. Good luck to you. I'm sure you'll make the correct decision based on what's important to you.

 

[martha1014]

Its easier said than done. I have 2 children, l born in l975 and the other in l978. There was little said about smoking and pregnancy except low birth rate during those days. Both of my children had low birth rate but were otherwise completely healthy. I know what you are going through. I can only say good luck with whatever you decide. Don't be so hard on yourself this is a vicious habit.

 

[brookeorama]

I smoked 'analog' cigs with my son while I was pregnant (I know....:/ )
And personally, I would assume out of common sense that e-cigs are better.
I am not a doctor or anything to that nature but.... If I was in the position again, and knew about e-cigs I would of traded that for my soft back of parliaments.
Stress is worse for a baby then smoking, or so my ob told me while I was pregnant. So The stress from quiting cold turkey is worse... who knows the logic...

 

[brookeorama]

By the way, my son was 2 weeks over due and 8lb. 4 oz when he was born. (while smoking a pack a day)

 

[sineadm]

Hi again

I have read all the comments and really appreciate all your help and honesty.

Here is what I think I am going to do:

The first ultrasound is in 3 weeks time. I will quit cold turkey again now with the positive outlook on achieving a successful ultrasound. Rather than thinking of quitting for the whole 7 months, I'm going to focus on getting through just these 3 weeks and then realign my goal to making it until the first scan and so on. Just take it each small stage at a time. I hope you understand my plan here!!

If plan A fails then I will look into purchasing the e-cigarette with no nicotine. My gut feeling is that it has to be better than analogue smoking.

Thanks again
Sineadm

 

[dragonpuff]

Hi again

I have read all the comments and really appreciate all your help and honesty.

Here is what I think I am going to do:

The first ultrasound is in 3 weeks time. I will quit cold turkey again now with the positive outlook on achieving a successful ultrasound. Rather than thinking of quitting for the whole 7 months, I'm going to focus on getting through just these 3 weeks and then realign my goal to making it until the first scan and so on. Just take it each small stage at a time. I hope you understand my plan here!!

If plan A fails then I will look into purchasing the e-cigarette with no nicotine. My gut feeling is that it has to be better than analogue smoking.

Thanks again
Sineadm

That sounds like a good plan, take it one step at a time, as they say

I really hope it works out for you good luck!

 

[LaceyUnderall]

That sounds like a good plan, take it one step at a time, as they say

I really hope it works out for you good luck!

+1 sweetheart. Good luck to you that you have a wonderful pregnancy and your partner gives you foot and back rubs galore.

 

[BARENETTED]

Congrats on the baby!

Someone here said 'have some will power and think of the baby'. If will power came that easy, I would not have smoked all the years that I did.
Lets face it - we are all addicts.

My story - I smoked all the way through both pregnancies. This was way back before they knew the dangers - (I was able to smoke in my hospital room after giving birth)! Thank God, I had 2 healthy children, 5lbs 14oz and 7 lbs. They are grown now, but were extremely intelligent children with no health problems. I didn't breast feed either one.

I am in no way encouraging you to smoke. However, if you find it impossible to quit - talk to your doctor. Ask him about mixing your own no nic juice - just PG and flavoring. That way you are insured that there is no nicotine. What could be any worse than smoking?

Good Luck! Stay well.

 

[Robert]

next time try chewing the tobacco- I doubt you'll get pregnant again..... lol

Just kidding- get to the doctor, listen to classical music and stay stress free. Enjoy yourself, you are a creator of life.

 

[frankie1]

Sineadm: I sincerely wish you all the best! Young moms have a lot to worry about and are put under tremendous stress to be perfect in every way. You are first and foremost a human being, so please be kinder to yourself. You are doing the very best you can and God will take care of the rest. Have faith sweetie!

I too smoked while pregnant and all three of mine were healthy at birth and are healthy at ages 35, 32 and 29! I too smoked in the hospital and while breast feeding. I had two miscarriages...possibly from smoking, although at the time that was not mentioned so I don't know. I do know my doctor said that my nerves played a large part in my miscarriages and that I must remain calmer particularly in the first trimester.

I am NOT encouraging you to smoke, but I am encouraging you to be a little kinder to yourself. You are going to be a mom and your baby deserves a mom who loves herself enough to take care of your baby's mama! God bless!!

 

[treelvr]

I smoked thru 3 successful pregnancies, and all 3 of my babies were the biggest babies in the family on either side, as far back as anybody knew anything about baby sizes (not huge, but 7-8 lbs) and my boys were both on time, my daughter was 10 days late.

At 5, 9, and 11, they are all incredibly smart kids, (my older son is, I was told by his teacher yest at conferences) going to be moved to the advanced math/science classes in middle school. My daughter is a str8 A student.

While pregnant, I cut back as much as I could, depending on stress levels, but never really sustained anything less than a half-pack a day.

I also smoked while nursing (well, not while the babe was actually at the breast!!!) and altho nicotine by-products DO get into the milk, I was a La leche League leader, did my research, and smoking while nursing is WAY better than not nursing at all.

If I had to do it again, if I still couldn't quit (and I've no reason to believe I'd be able to accomplish that now, not having been able to then...) I would get a vaper with a low nic content (not none) because I'd use it only when the stress of not smoking became too much, and altho I'm now *mostly* vaping, I'm also smoking analogs. If there was no nic in the vape, I'd go for the smokes. Or maybe get a mix of carts with low/no nic.

Overall, remember that there's enough going on with your body not to add all the major stress induced issues, too!

The scare tactics and "just quit!" BS I've read in this thread... well, I've been thru it and that stuff didn't help at all, it just made things worse for me. It's not like I didn't WANT to, and not like I didn't TRY.

Just do the best that you can, and to hell with everybody and their judgements as to whether or not your best is good enough for their standards. Your body, your baby. If you didn't care, you wouldn't be posting here.

Sending you lots of calming and supportive thoughts...

 

[kyivish]

I can't believe this question is even being asked. 9 months of uncomfortable angst vs. A possible life time consequence for your child. If you have to ask you're not ready to be a mother.
I know I sound rude, but how on earth could you risk it, especially with feedback on a online forum...no personal offense to forum members

 

[Snarkyone]

Christ on a cross I have never seen such a group of sanctimonious people in all my life! I mean come on people, I bet a good majority of us were carried to term by mother's who smoked with no ill effects. Granted it is not good for you or the baby but I would not stress out too much over it really. Generations of human beings have been born in the tobacco using world and we seem to have managed to maintain a good population wouldn't you say? To sit here **** all over her for smoking while pregnant is not cool. I can't say whether vaping is any safer there is not enough information to make a good sound decision on that, with that in mind I would say try to slow down with the cigarettes, get it in your head that you will be quitting and this is a part of it, cutting back as much as possible now so that once the baby is born you can step right into vaping which is going to be loads healthier for both you and your new child. Don't feel all guilty or listen to the naysayers who give you dirty looks. Like I said babies are born healthy every minute of the day to smokers and I would not lose one minute of sleep over it.