If you smoke and you are pregnant, or planning to become pregnant, you
are strongly advised to stop smoking. This is to benefit your health,
and the health of your baby. Seek help from your practice nurse or GP
if you find it difficult to stop smoking.
Why is smoking harmful in pregnancy?
Tobacco
smoke contains poisonous chemicals which pass into your bloodstream
when you smoke, and then on into the the growing baby's blood. Smoking
when you are pregnant increases the risk of: miscarriage; slowing the
growth of the baby leading to a low birth weight; premature labour
leading to the baby being premature ('prem'); stillbirth.
Even
after the birth, children of smoking parents have an increased risk of
developing chest infections, asthma, 'glue ear', and sudden infant
death syndrome (cot death).
Of course, there are many other
risks with smoking such as the increased risk of developing chest and
heart disorders. See separate leaflet called 'Smoking - The Facts' for details.
When should I stop smoking?
You and your
baby will get most benefit, and the risks will be most reduced, if you
stop before you become pregnant. Planning to become pregnant is a good
incentive to stop smoking for many women, and is often a good time to
persuade partners to give up too. However, your baby will still gain
some benefit if you stop at any point during pregnancy.
How can I stop smoking?
For many people it is not easy to stop. Below are some tips which may help.
-
Write a list of all the reasons why you want to stop, and keep them with you. Refer to them when you are tempted to light up.
-
Set a date for stopping, and stop completely. (Some people
prefer the idea of cutting down gradually. However, research has shown
that if you smoke less cigarettes than usual, you are likely to smoke
more of each cigarette, and nicotine levels remain nearly the same.
Therefore, it is usually best to stop once and for all from a set date.)
-
Tell everyone. Friends and family often give support and may help you.
-
Get rid of ashtrays, lighters, and all cigarettes.
-
Be prepared for some withdrawal symptoms.
When you stop smoking, you are likely to get symptoms which may
include: nausea (feeling sick), headaches, anxiety, irritability,
craving, and just feeling awful. These symptoms are caused by the lack
of nicotine that your body has been used to. They tend to peak after
12-24 hours, and then gradually ease over 2-4 weeks.
-
Be aware of situations in which you are most likely to want
to smoke (for example, the pub). Try changing your routine for the
first few weeks. If drinking tea and coffee are difficult times, try
drinking mainly fruit juice and plenty of water.
-
Take one day at a time. Mark off each successful day on a
calendar. Look at it when you feel tempted to smoke, and tell yourself
you don't want to start all over again.
-
Be positive. You can tell people that you don't smoke. You
will smell better. After a few weeks you should feel better, taste your
food more, and cough less. You will have more money.
-
Food. Some people worry about gaining weight when they give
up smoking as the appetite may improve. Anticipate an increase in
appetite, and try not to increase fatty or sugary foods as snacks. Try
sugar-free gum and fruit instead.
-
Don't despair if you fail and have a cigarette. You don't
have to start smoking again. Pick yourself up and try again. Examine
the reasons why you felt it was more difficult at that particular time.
It will make you stronger next time.
What about medicines that can help you stop smoking?
Nicotine Replacement Therapy (NRT)
This can
help if withdrawal symptoms are troublesome. Nicotine gum, sprays,
patches, tablets, lozenges, and inhalers are available to buy, and on
prescription. Using one of these increases your chance of stopping
smoking if you really want to stop. A pharmacist, GP, or practice nurse
can advise about NRT.
- If you are not yet pregnant, but are planning a pregnancy, an option is to try a course of NRT before becoming pregnant.
- If you are pregnant, you should still consider using NRT. NRT is a
medicine and may have effects on the baby. But, many people argue that
NRT is safer than smoking as, unlike smoking, NRT just gives you
nicotine. Smoking gives you nicotine plus a lot of toxic chemicals. So,
if NRT does enable you to stop smoking, it may be worthwhile to take it
even if you are pregnant.
Other medicines - can be used before you become pregnant
Medicines
called bupropion (trade name 'Zyban') and varenicline (trade name
'Champix') can help. These are available on prescription. One of these
may be useful before you become pregnant. These medicines
roughly double your chance of stopping smoking if you really want to
stop. They help to reduce the symptoms of nicotine withdrawal. But note:
- You should not take these medicines when you are pregnant as the risk to the unborn child is not known.
- If you take one of these medicines the course should be completed before you become pregnant.
Further help and information
GPs, practice
nurses, or pharmacists can provide information, encouragement, and tips
on stopping smoking. Also, throughout the country there are specialist
NHS 'Stop Smoking Clinics' which have a good success in helping people
to stop smoking. Your doctor may refer you to one if you are keen to
stop smoking. Also, the following may be of help.
Quit - a charity that helps people to stop smoking.
Quitline: 0800 00 22 00 Web: www.quit.org.uk
NHS 'Go Smokefree' Services
NHS smoking helpline 0800 169 0 169 Web: www.gosmokefree.nhs.uk
For advice on stopping smoking, and for details of your local NHS Stop Smoking Service.
References
© EMIS and PiP 2008 Updated: 19 May 2008
