Re: Oh, no! This ***** board!

Posted by me on June 08, 2003 at 18:24:14:

In Reply to: Re: Oh, no! This ***** board! posted by Mels on June 08, 2003 at 18:17:31:

: : Darn this board, anyway! I just typed an entire encyclopedia for you, so where is it now? LOL. Anyway, to make a long story short: I was still a smoker at the beginning of this pregnancy. I went on the 7-mg (about the equivalent of a little more than half a pack a day) patch right away (after I got my BFP). The patch isn't 100% safe, but neither are cigarettes, and the patch has the nicotine but none of the other chemicals.

: : It is HARD to quit smoking. Please trust me, I know. DO NOT listen to anyone who will come out (probably anonymously) on here to scream & wail about what a terrible mother you must be for "not stopping entirely". Anyone who says that bullsh*t does not understand the nature of this addiction. I know you love your baby. If you didn't love your baby, you wouldn't be agonizing over this situation.

: : Anyway, I stopped the patch, was good for another month or so and then god help me, went back to smoking about 4 or 5 cigarettes a day. I felt like a killer every time I lit up. I didn't give up--I tried everything. I read Alan Carr's Easy Way to Quit Smoking (it was expensive--it's only available in the UK), and then I went on the patch for one more week, then just up & quit. It has been very, very, very hard, but at least for my entire 3rd trimester I have been off both cigs and the patch. DON'T get down on yourself--you are trying your hardest. I know, and I understand. I know you love your baby. It really comes out in your posts. Devise a game plan--try cutting back first--like 5 less a day for a week, then step down by 5 more the next week, etc. (depending upon how much you smoke now).

: : If you want to try the patch, ask your doctor first. That's what I did.

: : Hang in there. You can do this, but it is NOT a piece of cake so there is no need to feel like an awful person. YOU ARE NOT AN AWFUL PERSON. You are a person who was drawn into a semi-socially-acceptable addiction. You are doing your best and you should be proud of that.

: : Mels
: : EDD 7.03.03

thank you so much i think i will probaly talk to my dr. about the patch, i didnt know this was an option for pregnant women. you have been much help. thank you

Follow Ups:

• p.s. me 18:29:33 6/08/03 (6)
  • Re: p.s. Jackie 19:46:11 6/08/03 (0)
  • Mels Wendy 19:35:48 6/08/03 (2)
    • :) Mels 21:18:06 6/08/03 (1)
      • Re: :) Wendy 12:06:53 6/09/03 (0)
  • Mels Wendy 19:34:38 6/08/03 (1)
    • Re: Mels prissy 20:29:34 6/08/03 (0)

This page has been archived so the followup feature has been disabled. Please visit the our new Pregnancy Discussion Group to post a message. Or you can visit our old Pregnancy Board home page or click here for the Pregnancy Board Archives.