Smoking and Pregnancy

Like most mums-to-be, you want to be sure of two things - a healthy pregnancy and a healthy baby. Stopping smoking is the single most important thing that you can do to achieve these

Having a baby should be an exciting and challenging experience. You'll want to make sure that you have a straightforward, relaxed nine months. But if you're a smoker, you significantly increase the risk of complications during your pregnancy. You and your baby have a lot to gain from you quitting, financially and healthwise. Every year 56,000 pregnant women stop smoking. Give yourself and your baby a head start by kicking the habit for good.

Q. What difference will smoking make to my pregnancy?
A. If you carry on smoking, you're more likely to suffer complications during your pregnancy. This means that there's a greater risk of:

1. Having a miscarriage
   
2. Bleeding
   
3. Your waters breaking early -
   as a result, your baby might be born with an infection
   
4. Your baby being born
   prematurely
   
5. Your baby dying just before or after birth
   
6. Your baby dying
   from cot death
   
7. You having an ectopic pregnancy
   
8. Your baby being smaller
   and lighter

Smoking: Is it difficult to quit?

Most smokers want to stop smoking. This can improve their health and they can live longer. It is not easy quitting as nicotine addiction holds the smoker ‘prisoner’. However, more than 11 million people in the UK have successfully quit smoking. There is no quick and easy way. Ten steps to quit smoking

MAKE A DATE - Stick to your date. Most people who successfully quit smoking do so by stopping altogether, and not by gradually cutting down.

KEEP BUSY – It will help take your mind off cigarettes. Throw away all your ashtrays, lighters, and unopened cigarette packets.

DRINK PLENTY OF FLUIDS - Keep a glass of water or juice by you and sip it steadily. Try different flavours.

GET MORE ACTIVE - Walk instead of using the bus or car. Try the stairs instead of the lift. Exercise helps you relax and can boost your morale.

THINK POSITIVE AND MANAGE YOUR WITHDRAWAL SYMPTOMS - Withdrawal can be unpleasant but it is a sign your body is recovering from the effects of tobacco. Irritability, urges to smoke and poor concentration are common - don't worry, they usually disappear after a couple of weeks. However, you can use Nicotine replacement therapy (patches, gum etc.) or Zyban to manage your withdrawal symptoms. Phone 0800 169 0169 or 0800 00 22 88 and ask for your local free stop smoking service or see your GP.

CHANGE YOUR ROUTINE - Try to avoid the shop where you usually buy cigarettes. Perhaps you should avoid the canteen at work if there are lots of smokers around you. Try doing something totally different. Surprise yourself!7

NO EXCUSES - Don't use a crisis or even good news to be an excuse for 'just one cigarette' there is no such thing - you will soon want the next and the next.

TREAT YOURSELF - This is important. If you can, use the money you are saving by not smoking to buy yourself something special - big or small - that you usually would not have.

BE CAREFUL WHAT YOU EAT - Try not to snack on fatty or sugary foods. If you do need to snack try fruit, raw vegetables, or sugar-free gum or sweets.

TAKE ONE DAY AT A TIME - Each day without a cigarette is good news for your health, your family - and your pocket. If you do not succeed this time try, try and try again! Each attempt increases your chances of quitting successfully. (Reference: Muslim Health Network)