How to Quit Smoking When Pregnant

Stopping smoking isn't a stroll in the park but it can be done. And now that you're pregnant, quitting has never been more crucial. Once you discover you are pregnant,you should quit to avoid having a child with low birth weight, congenital heart defects, pre-term delivery, miscarriage, or even a still birth.

The best way to protect the fetus is to stop smoking. If a woman plans to have a child in the near future or is already pregnant, dropping off cigarettes is vital. A woman who quits within the first 3 or 4 months of pregnancy can reduce the possibilities of her baby being born premature or with health problems connected with smoking.

To save your child, you have to cease smoking now. And even if you haven't attempted to quit smoking in the past, you can do it this time. Statistics by the Center for Disease Control (CDC), reveal that 45% of women who smoked cigarettes 3 months before pregnancy quit during pregnancy. So,you are not alone, you can also quit. But how?

Is it through cold turkey or nicotine replacement therapy (NRTs)? Even though some pregnant women say they quit smoking cold turkey during pregnancy, talk to your doctor about any stop smoking decision or choice you want to make. His advice will be a huge life saver during the quit process.

Nicotine replacement therapies on the other hand have been subjected to a lot of studies to determine its effectiveness and safety during pregnancy. While some studies give it a passmark,a recent study,published in the March 1,2012 issue of The New England Journal of Medicine, reportedly found little evidence that the treatment helps pregnant women kick the smoking habit.

Other treatment methods that can be used to quit smoking when pregnant include behavioural therapy,motivational interviewing,offering incentives,self help videos and audios,and so many others.

Studies have revealed behavioural therapy and motivational interviewing as being very effective in stop smoking for pregnant women while the safety of zyban and chantix for use by pregnant women have not been proved beyond reasonable doubt.

If you want to quit smoking when pregnant,I suggest you choose a “quit date” and plan towards making the day a success. Do away with all your smoking paraphernalia before the d-day. Plan how you are going to tackle nicotinewithdrawal symptoms that will no doubt come your way after smoking your last cigarette. Carry a bottle of water everywhere you go and take a sip anytime you feel like smoking. Enlist the support of friends and your partner during the quit process. Consult your doctor and just quit according to his advice.

Iyabo Oyawale runs http://2stopsmokingtips.com, a highly successful blog that has helped many people quit smoking. She brings 10 years hand-on research on smoking cessation to bear on her blog. Visit her blog to download her free stop smoking guide now!