Congratulations are in order if you just found out that you are pregnant, but if you are a smoker, you have a problem. You have to think about quitting smoking during pregnancy fast.
The good news is that the success rate in this period is of 40% which is much higher than in case of any other group. There are many different risks associated with smoking during pregnancy, such as stillbirth, premature birth, undeveloped lungs and low birth weight.
The long-term risks include allergies, asthma, not meeting the developmental milestones and problems with learning.
What to do
If you are considering quitting smoking while being pregnant, the first thing you have to do is to talk to your health care provider. He or she will be able to suggest you a nicotine replacement option or a patch that is safe during pregnancy.
In the same time he or she could tell you about a good counselor. You shouldn’t be embarrassed by talking about such things; it is important for your doctor to know about it. He or she most probably already knows you are a smoker anyway.
If you quit, you should consider your cravings in advance. Some people start chewing gum, while others prefer a healthy snack. Others opt for deep breaths and meditation methods. The good news is that craving a cigarette usually lasts for only a few minutes.
The method
The truth about quitting smoking when being pregnant is that there is no general method to do it. Some of the specialists say that it is best to opt for cold turkey.
Although you will have some signs of withdrawal, at least there will be no more nicotine in your organism and the baby’s organism. However some other specialists say that it is best to give up smoking gradually.
