Smoking while pregnant can lead to a number of health problems for both the mother and the baby. Nicotine and carbon monoxide, by-products of cigarette smoke, are especially harmful to the baby, as they reduce oxygen flow through the umbilical cord and can cause premature birth, underdeveloped lungs and low birth weight. Also, mothers who smoke have a higher chance of serious complications, including stillbirths.
Step 1
Give it up cold turkey if you can. Stopping at once is the best option, as it allows you to go through the whole pregnancy without any smoke inhalation. Quitting without a backup system may be difficult but it's possible, especially if you're only a casual smoker.
Step 2
Get counseling. There are a number of alternative therapies that don't require invasive treatment. Hypnosis has been used for years to quit smoking, and while there are no studies proving its effectiveness, many swear by it. You can also try talking to a counselor, so you explore the addiction, or joining a support group.
Step 3
Make a list of reasons to give up cigarettes. Talk to your doctor or research the many effects smoking has on the baby, including affecting brain development, asthma and other respiratory diseases or severe low birth weight. While this alone may not be enough to help you quit, it will give you reasons to stick to it when it gets difficult and the cravings are intense.
Step 4
Talk to your doctor about nicotine replacement therapy. Both the nicotine gum and the patch contain much less chemicals than the actual cigarette, but you are still adding some harmful things to your body. If you're a heavy smoker, however, your doctor may recommend this method, as you would be consuming far less nicotine than during smoking.
Step 5
Look for support. Finding other mothers-to-be who are trying to lead a healthy life will help you stick to your resolutions. Support groups are sometimes available through local clinics or churches, or you can call helplines such as 1-800-QUITNOW to talk to a qualified counselor who can give you tips on how to approach the process, or sometimes direct you to a help group in your area.
