Smoking while pregnant not only leads to low birth weight, according to the American Pregnancy Association, but "The 2001 Surgeon General's Report" on women and smoking found that women who smoke while pregnant are at risk for serious pregnancy complications like ruptured membranes, detached placentas and hemorrhages. The study also indicated that women who stop smoking during pregnancy greatly reduce those risks. Since many cessation aids are prescription remedies not safe for pregnant women, pregnant women can turn to natural remedies to quit the habit.
Hypnosis
Hypnosis involves using the power of suggestion to convince your brain that you no longer want to smoke. This method is safe for pregnant women in that it involves no medicines or herbal therapies and doesn't rely on low doses of nicotine to ease withdrawal. Many people find this method useful; however, it doesn't work for everyone. The American Cancer Society notes that there hasn't been enough conclusive research on hypnosis to rule it an effective treatment for smoking cessation; however, because it's effective for some and harmless, there's no downside to trying.
Acupuncture
Acupuncture, like hypnosis, falls into the "can't hurt" category. It's also a medicine-free therapy. Acupuncturists insert hair-thin needles into pressure points in the body. These points each evoke different responses, and smoking cessation is usually conducted by inserting needles in different parts of the ears. The effects of acupuncture on smoking cessation also require additional study, according to the American Cancer Society.
Lifestyle Adjustments
When it all comes down to it, at some point you'll need to put your cigarettes down and never pick them up again. There are a few lifestyle changes you can make to east this process. The American Cancer Society recommends meeting your oral fixation with healthy snacks, hard candies, gum or whatever else pleases you. Increasing fluids helps flush nicotine from your body. Exercise can distract you from cravings and release feel-good chemicals in your brain. The American Pregnancy Association recommends pregnant women walk daily to keep fit. Another tactic you can use when a craving strikes is to breathe deeply. This fills up your lings, much like inhaling a cigarette did, except you'll feel the difference when you're breathing in clean air.
