There are lots of ways to stop smoking when you’re pregnant, and some are easier than others.
Talk to your doctor about how to stop smoking before you get pregnant.
Here are some tips for stopping smoking when you’re pregnant:
- Use nicotine replacement therapy (NRT) until the baby is born.
- Don’t smoke on the day of the baby’s birth.
- Don’t smoke again until your baby is 2 or 10 months old.
- Don’t smoke until your baby is at least 6 months old.
- Keep all of your doctor-prescribed prescriptions.
- Keep your doctor informed about your smoking habits.
- Don’t smoke in front of your baby.
If you smoke cigarettes, you can also try to quit by using nicotine patches, lozenges, or gum.
Here are some tips for quitting smoking when you’re not pregnant:
- Get help from a doctor or nurse.
- Follow the tips listed above.
- Talk to your doctor about counseling.
If you smoke and are pregnant, you should also ask your doctor to help plan a birth plan for your baby.
If you would like to stop using tobacco altogether, you can talk with your doctor about prescription medications.
Ask your doctor about:
- The pros and cons of nicotine replacement therapy.
- The pros and cons of other medications.
Some prescription medications are available to help people quit smoking.
For example, varenicline (Chantix) and bupropion (Wellbutrin) are both prescription medications.
Talk to your doctor if you smoke and would like to quit.
When to Call the Doctor?
You should call your doctor if you think you might be pregnant. You should also call your doctor if your child’s symptoms get worse or if you think something is wrong.
Here are some other symptoms to call your doctor about:
- Severe fatigue.
- Difficulty breathing.
- Blurred vision.
- Severe nausea.
- Weakness or dizziness.
- Headache.
- Chest pain or pressure.
- Loss of appetite.
- Poor weight gain.
- Numbness or tingling in your feet or toes.
- Muscle pain.
- Fever.
If you have any of these symptoms, you should call your doctor.
What Else Should I Know?
Some women go through pregnancy and the first few months after pregnancy without smoking.
You should not stop smoking without talking to your doctor first.
You should also call your doctor if you think you have a health condition based on the symptoms you’re having.
Here are some of the most common conditions that can cause similar symptoms:
- Pregnancy.
- Preeclampsia.
- Preeclampsia with eclampsia.
- Miscarriage.
- Postpartum hemorrhage.
- Preeclampsia with HELLP syndrome.
- Heart attack.
- Stroke.
- Diabetes.
- Kidney disease.
- Lung disease.
- Emphysema.
- COPD.
- HIV/AIDS.
- Cancer.
- Heart disease.
What Happens If I Stop Smoking?
There is no way to know for sure how long you’ll need to stop smoking.
If you stop smoking, you may be able to continue for a few months.
You may need to stop smoking for several months.
If you want to stop smoking, talk to your doctor.
Your doctor can help you develop a plan to stop smoking.
Here are a few tips for quitting smoking:
- Follow your doctor’s instructions.
- Keep all of your prescription medications.
If you quit smoking, you may also experience:
- Bad breath.
- Nausea.
- Heartburn.
- Coughing.
- Stuffy nose.
- Sleepiness.
- Weight gain.
- Difficulty concentrating.
- Tiredness.
- Bad taste in your mouth.
- Dry mouth.
- Constipation.
- Dry eyes.
- Fatigue.
- Itchy, watery eyes.
- Sore throat.
- Swollen tongue.
- Skin rash.
- Cold, pale skin.
- Flu-like symptoms.
- Joint pain.
- Numbness.
- Muscle weakness.
- Chills.
- Tingling or prickling sensation.
- Pain in arms and legs.
- Diarrhea.
Can Smoking Affect the Baby?
Smoking during pregnancy can affect your baby.
Smoking can harm your baby’s growing and developing organs.
Smoking can cause:
- Problems with fetal growth and development.
- Problems with heart development and function.
- Problems with lung development and function.
- Lower birth weight.
- Increased risk of miscarriage.
- Increased risk of stillbirth.
If you smoke, you should quit before you get pregnant.
You should also quit smoking if you’re pregnant or have high blood pressure or heart disease.
Quitting smoking in pregnancy can help prevent these conditions.
If you are pregnant or think you might be pregnant, you should call your doctor to discuss your options.
Here are a few tips to quit smoking when you’re pregnant:
- Talk to a doctor.
- Get help from your family and friends.
- Get help from a doctor to quit.
- Follow your doctor’s instructions on how to quit.
- Talk to others who smoke and ask them about quitting.
Here are a few tips to quit smoking after you give birth:
- Follow your doctor’s instructions to quit smoking.
- Quit when you’re ready.
- Get help from a doctor.
- Get support from your family and friends.
- Get support from a doctor to quit.
Can I Smoke in the Hospital?
Smoking is a no-no in the hospital.
Smoking can harm your health, especially if you’re pregnant.
Smoking can also cause a lack of oxygen to reach your baby.
If you smoke and plan to be in the hospital, ask your doctor if you can stop smoking.
If you’re pregnant or think you may be pregnant, you should call your doctor to discuss your options.
Here are a couple of tips to quit smoking in the hospital:
- Ask your doctor if you can smoke in the hospital.
- Talk to other patients who smoke and ask them for advice.
- Get support from others.
The bottom line
Smoking during pregnancy can be dangerous to both you and your baby.
The best way to limit the risks for you is to quit smoking.
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