Tomorrow is the Great American Smokeout – an occasion for smokers to kick the habit once and for all. But as many smokers know, it’s not that easy.
While smoking is one the hardest habits to break, for many women pregnancy is a powerful motivator, according to a recent WiserPregnancy survey.
The survey found that 41% of women who smoked quit the habit once they became pregnant. In comparison, only 3% quit before getting pregnant.
So how to quit?
With their baby’s health at risk, most women don’t opt for slow-moving remedies. The large majority of women (88%) quit cold turkey – and it works for most. In fact, two-thirds (66%) of women found it a highly effective way to quit.
However, many women feel like quitting smoking is an impossible task or that the damage is done. But don’t give up – it’s not too late.
A recent study published in Obstetrics & Gynecology shows that quitting in the first and even second trimesters decreases several smoking related risks. You’re less likely have a premature delivery or a baby with restricted growth.
For help quitting, talk to your doctor, your employer or try one of the following organizations:
- Smokefree.gov – www.smokefree.gov
- 1-800-QUIT-NOW or http://1800quitnow.cancer.gov
- The National Tobacco Cessation Collaborative (NTCC) – http://www.tobacco-cessation.org/resources.htm
- The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention – http://www.cdc.gov/tobacco/
Are/were you a smoker? What worked for you? How did you stay strong after you quit?
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I am glad that I really don’t smoke..I mean not a smoker since time I can remember….and I know for a fact too that its bad for my baby inside..thanks for this article so helpful especially to those pregnant women who don’t know the side effects of smoking…
Its my problem now actually…although I slowly eradicating this bad habit..sometimes I cant avoid smoking….but I know in due time I am able to quit ..for the sake of my baby..
I had check the link you provided in the article and found it helpful for those pregnant women who smoke..Fortunately I am not a smoker so my baby is safe…I will refer this site to those pregnant women so that they will know more about it and perhaps share their personal experiences too..
Its good to hear that pregnancy is the mean reason why women stop or quit smoking! at least this women who smoke really care …I only smoke occasionally when in parties or with group of friends ..but I really don’t it crave at all….
I am a light smoker, but since my pregnancy started, I have stopped smoking. I really hope it won’t come back, but I still feel the urge and I have to exert more self control now.
I am not a smoker, but I am glad that some women quit smoking because they are pregnant and scared of what might happen to their baby inside…so at least this mom who smokes really cares for their unborn child…
Personally I hate this habit of smoking..I don’t smoke and I cant bear to be near to a person smoking..it suffocates me in a way thinking that its hazardous to my health and the baby..I am glad then that some mom make an effort to stop smoking for the sake of their baby inside..
Quitting cold turkey? What's that? I mean what do you mean by cold turkey when we're talking about smoke?
I was a smoker before I got pregnant. I think its because I really want to have a healthy baby that I wanted to quit smoking too since its very harmful. And when I had my baby already, I still smoke but not too often until I don't smoke at all.
I'm a smoker before too. What really worked for me in stopping smoking is getting complete rest and thinking about what my baby would become. I never thought of smoking again when I started raising my kids.
I decided to quit smoking last August and got pregnant in September… the pregnancy was unplanned but nevertheless we're excited. I'm glad I was already off the hook before I got pregnant…
I decided to quit smoking last August and got pregnant in September… the pregnancy was unplanned but nevertheless we're excited. I'm glad I was already off the hook before I got pregnant…
smoking can sometimes makes a woman infertile for a moment. i've been married for 5 years and been smoking for that long as well. i went to a doctor and found out that smoking caused me not to conceive. right then i quit smoking and after 6 months i got pregnant.
i kinda agree with that mische.. it happened to my friend and her doctor told her same reason like yours. so i guess it's true!
smoking like we all know can harm our health, how much more if you are pregnant??? anything bad to your health would likely be tripled if you are pregnant.