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Help to stop smoking

Giving up smoking during pregnancy is one of the most important things you can do for you and your baby. Talk with your midwife or GP and ask them for some help and support in giving up.

The benefits of giving up smoking

For your baby:

• Increases the amount of oxygen your baby will get.
• Increases the chances your baby’s lungs will work well.
• Lowers the risk that your baby will be born too early.
• Increases your chances of having a normal-weight, normal blood pressure and a healthy baby.
• Increases the chances your baby will come home from the hospital with you.
• Increases your babies intellectual development.

For you:

• Gives you more energy and helps you breathe easier.
• Saves you money that you can spend on other things like new maternity clothes.
• Makes your clothes, hair, and home smell better.
• Makes your food taste better.
• Lets you feel good about what you’ve done for yourself and your baby.
• As soon as you stop smoking, your body will begin to rid itself of tobacco toxins.
• After just 20 minutes, your circulation will improve.
• Within eight hours, nicotine levels in the blood will have halved.
• Within a few weeks, your sense of taste and smell will improve.
• Your overall general health will improve. You will feel fitter and breathing problems will gradually disappear.
• Within a year or two of not smoking, your risk of having a heart attack is reduced by half that it would have been had you continued.
• After three years of not smoking, your risk of having a heart attack is similar to that of a life-long non-smoker.
• After 10 years of not smoking, the risk of getting lung cancer is halved. The longer you stop, the lower the risk.
• The sooner you decide to quit, the better. But remember: it’s never too late to stop smoking.

Dealing with the challenges of giving up

Cutting down instead of giving up

Many pregnant women are tempted to cut down the number of cigarettes they smoke instead of giving up. This will help a bit but it’s not really what your baby needs. Each cigarette you smoke is being smoked by your baby as well, and each cigarette will make their health more fragile, as well as yours. After just one day of not smoking, your baby will get more oxygen. Each day that you don’t smoke, you are helping your baby grow.

Nicotine Cravings

Cravings and withdrawal symptoms will be at their strongest in the first few weeks. Reduce the feelings by keeping yourself busy and distracting yourself with other things. Try a healthy snack, or doing a quick puzzle or crossword. Share your feelings with someone who will support you giving up and will remind you of all the negative points about smoking.

Withdrawal symptoms are a really good sign that your body is healing, and they will decrease after several weeks when your body stops craving nicotine.

The Irish Cancer Society recommends the following tips to deal with cravings, known as “the four Ds”

• Delay at least three minutes and the urge will pass.
• Drink a glass of water or fruit juice.
• Distract yourself. Move away from the situation.
• Deep breathe. Breathe slowly and deeply.

Weight gain

It’s far less dangerous to put on a few extra pounds than to be a smoker, and you’ll naturally be gaining weight due to your pregnancy. Focus instead on how good healthy foods taste now you don’t smoke and how many more flavours you’re able to enjoy.

Will nicotine replacement therapy (NRT) help?

Nicotine replacement is not advised for women who are pregnant and women who are breastfeeding.

Need some more support?

For further information and support in giving up smoking you can contact the Smoking Quitline on 1850 201 203. Tell them you’re pregnant and want to give up, and they will give you all the advice and support you need to achieve your goal.