On our way to a Smoke FREE home! :)

So, I've been having a very difficult time with my impecible habit of smoking! I quit for about 3 weeks and one night just picked one up and started again. However, and please I'm not here to hear the horror stories or statistics...I'm simply letting other people know that it can be done. I talked to my doctor numerous times about whether to quit out right or ween myself. One doctor seemed to think cold turkey was best, the other said lets cut it back and not put the baby into shock. Another great part of this is that my husband...who I can almost without a doubt say was my reason for picking the cigarettes back up! It was tough to quit, but when there they were laying around for me to see EVERY single day the temptation became far too much to bare! Anywho- hubby started taking Chantix last week. I've been begging him to try to quit and telling him how much it would help me if we could quit togther and not do it alone. Well, we both took our last hit on Sunday evening at about 5:30pm. We are over 36 hours without a cigarette and still going strong. My husband was an almost 2 pack a day smoker too. I'm very faithful in believing that this time it's for the long haul and not just temporary. I couldn't do it myself and with the cigarettes within a near thinking distance from my eyes...nearly impossible!!! I can honestly say that the urge hasn't been as bad as I thought it would be and I'm not around anyone all week that smokes, so it's a big bonus. My family is full of smokers, so theres a chance I may see them on the weekend, but having my husband's support and his quitting too is going to be the deal breaker this time around. It's a day to day thing, but ladies if you're struggling with the smoking situation like I was- get support and try to do whatever you can. We aren't perfect and habits can over take us as we all know, but hang in there and knw that there is someone out there who can support you---draw them in!!! :) Best of luck to all of you who are struggling with the smoking issues! It's absoloutely the best thing for the babies and as tough as it is to do- we CAN do it!!! :) It's an addiction and only we can change it...and trust me when you break free from that habit you will feel much better about it! I've only went a day and a half and breathing fresh air inside my home is AMAZING!!! :)

Congrats to you & your husband for doing something that's difficult - but hugely beneficial to you both and your little one.  I've never been a smoker, but have read and heard how difficult it is to stop...so hats off to you both.  Don't kick yourself if you fall off the anti-smoking wagon...just get right back on it (not that I'm hoping you get off of it...but it's a difficult journey you're setting out on...though you do have the best motivation!). 

If you told your family ahead of time that you had quit smoking - that it's best for the baby (not to mention you) - would they try to be helpful and do their smoking outside or in another room away from you?  Either that, or is it possible to keep away from them for a few weeks to give your body time to get all the nicotine out of your system?  Not really banish them...but just keep your distance...meet in public places where no smoking is allowed if necessary (ie eating dinner in a no smoking restaurant?).  Make sure you stick to it and tell guests that your house is now a smoke free house.  Provide an area away from open doors/windows where they're welcome to go outside and smoke (and put an ashtray or something for their cigarettes out there.

My husband used to be a smoker, smoking about a pack a day.  I didn't let him smoke in our apartment in NY...and when we moved to Ukraine and he tried whining to me that it was too cold to go outside and smoke (-20 degrees) he got no sympathy from me and still had to go out on the balcony to smoke.  Our son (who was five by that time) also helped me nag him to death that it wasn't good for him.  He FINALLY quit cold turkey and hasn't gone back to smoking in 10 years. 

I've heard other former smokers say that they chewed a LOT of gum when they were quitting.  and to avoid the munchies and weight gain...try to keep some healthy snacks (carrot/celery sticks...something crunchy that'll keep your mouth busy) on hand for both of you.

Since you're pregnant and getting ready for your little one...put a picture of something nice you want to get for the baby - something a little expensive that you might not have been able to get before...post it up as a reminder of what you can save towards with the money saved from not smoking.  Either that or open a separate savings account and put that money saved in there to go towards your baby's college or something.

Be proud of yourself...and keep encouraging each other.  You done good!

Holly-

It was definitely difficult when I went 3 weeks without even touch ing one to picking it up like I had never stopped. I have a nurse who does in home visits and she told me that although quitting is the best option she thinks I just went overboard by quitting everything at once and gave up all crutches or outlets I had left. There was a night when I just couldnt sleep and was highly irritated- look on the table and there sat that pack of cigarettes! I could have resisted, but at the time the temptation got the best of me. I've been kicking myself in the rear to quit and be done for good, but I came to the understanding with my husband that unless he quit with me I couldnt do it alone.

My family is very respectful in the matter of not smoking in my house or smoking around me if I ask them not too, but I do have a few cousins who could care less. I have a 25yo cousin who has a 3yo and she thinks quitting is bogus since she smoked her whole pregnancy and drank soda like it was going out of style and her daughter is just precious and perfect. It's kind of aggrivating, but it's one of those situations where you would rather avoid then deal with it.

I've tried the gum chewing route, but my teeth arent in the best of shape, so it's not beneficial to me. I've however really started sucking on sugar free hard tack candy and it's doing the trick. I have noticed that I'm tending to run to the kitchen and snack more, but its like my OB told me also-- if you gain a few extra pounds with the baby it's nothing compared to the health risks associated to lighting up and smoking. I'm doing my best to control my urges and got me some extra cheese sticks and laughing cow cheeses in the hopes of diminishing my snacking for now.

Thank you so much and I hope to continue with this road! Seeing him quit has went above and beyond to show me his dedication to making me be a better me and giving the baby the healthiest chance :)

My husband quit cold turkey 2 weeks ago. He smoked outside. But I told him there was noway he was holding our baby if he didn't quit. Or he had to shower and change clothes after each smoke. He knew I was serious. He has done great!! I'm so proud of him!!

Awesome for him!!! I've been pushing my husband to quit before the baby came, but it's been difficult. I'm not sure what the turning point in him was, but he went and got the Chantix and started without me even knowing. We bough a pack on Saturday and said ok when they're gone they're gone and between the 2 of us they were gone by 5 something on sunday evening and they've remaind GONE! It feels so amazing to be able to accomplish somthing like this...especially together and it's something we've both wanted for quite some time now, but we just couldn't commit!! Give your hubby a BIG pat on the back- way to go DAD!!!!

 Hey Kerri!!  I give you lots of credit for speaking up about your smoking habit!!! I thought of posting this issue a long time ago.  Just would not think of posting this on the message board because some ppl on here are very rude with their comments. I learned that 2 years ago when I started posting in the pennsylvania message board..some of them women there are very rude and out spoken and to me I do not want to be put down when I am feeling that way already. I am a smoker also..and have been struggling with quitting also. I have quit 4 times and went a total of 2 weeks without a cig. I started having nightmares that were really bad and I was soo sick and puking everyday. I had no idea if it was the morning sickness or if it was the withdrawals from smoking.

I picked back up again and every time I go to quit..I will go two days without a cig and start gaggin my face off and puking and feel like crap. I know it sounds weird I told my Ob this but every time I have a cig I feel better. Im not getting sick and I am not gaggin. I have no idea what the gaggin is or why I gag when I do not have a cig. I have been told its all mental and in my head. As far as me quitting cold turkey it is very hard. I do not know if its the pregnancy that makes me sick after I quit or if its the withdrawals. I am most certain its the pregnancy that has me gaggin because I have quit before and did not get sick. I just have no idea what to do because I do not want to be sick everyday and have no idea how to long it will take me to get past the sickness of quitting. Best of Luck to ya Kerri!! I have a Maternal Child Nurse visit today for the first time. I decided to go with the program. Nurse will be here at 2. 

Dee,

I thought about putting a post up sooner about suggestions or helpful hints, but as with my facebook was not in for the tongue lashing some people are quick to offer. I go on the WTE boards and to read and see the way people only want to bash people for things can be disturbing and discouraging, so I think I avoided the question for far too long.

It was definitely strange for me when I went 3 whole entire weeks without even a puff and then bam it was like here i am smoke me and it was like I never even quit for a second. I hope that you are able to figure out some kind of plan that works for you...it took me a few weeks to muster up the nerve to get back on the quitting band wagon, but I'm back on and couldn't be happier. For the last month or so, I was smoking A LOT...especially after I quit for those couple of weeks and then when I smoked it had to be Marlboro because I bought a cheap pack and had a HORRIFIC headache. I'm just happy knowing that I'm now putting that money I was spending on cigarettes in a jar every Friday and hopefully we will be buying the baby a very pretty new sleigh crib that I desperately want to buy. I was given a crib and I'm not sure why I'm so sensitive to the whole crib issue, but I just want that to be the one thing I choose for my baby. It's going to be extremely hectic though since we have decided to move to PA a few months after the baby arrives, but it will still be well worth it.

That's awesome that you're having a nurse visit. I have a wonderful nurse named Jeana who come in about every other week or so right now and discusses any issue or concerns or questions I may have. She's terrific and she supplies me with a lot of great handouts on what I can expect. It's a program through the state for patients on Medicaid and it's to help first time mothers and I think it's an excellent program. I think I will stay with the program for a few months after the birth, but I wont stay with the program til the baby is 2 just because I think it's a great opportunity that other first time mothers should get to benefit from too.

Good luck with everything girlie and congrats on the GIRL!!!! Girls really are precious :)

I hope you're able to get that sleigh bed and all the accessories that go with it.  Make yourself a promise though that you'll only get it w/your cigarette money...no cheating, smoking and 'subsidizing' the fund.  Keep your jar in a prominent place with a picture of the sleigh bed if you have to - as a reminder of what you're doing it for (though you're going to keep smoke-free once the little one's here...RIIGGHHHT?!).

My husband's best friend in NY was smoking about 3 packs a day...and in NY a pack of cigs are about $8 a pack because of the extra taxes on them.  That's a huge chunk of money each month for cigarettes!  Add it up in your mind how much you've been spending each month...each year...that alone will give a little extra motivation, especially if money's tight right now! 

Dee

I'm in no way saying that quitting smoking is an 'easy' thing to do.  It's good that you're trying to do it...and you should continue to try.  I understand what you're saying that when you try to quit, you get sick, and no one wants to feel sick.  If your friends (whom I  am assuming are smokers and know more than me, a non-smoker?) think it could 'all be in your head,' then maybe if you found something to distract you during those times you're craving a cigarette...whether it's going for a walk, doing a puzzle book (logic puzzles are good for distracting your mind if you work hard at 'solving' them!).  If that's not working and you can't do the cold turkey thing...how about first off, cutting back how many cigarettes you smoke...and during the times you're keeling over for one...have a puff or two, then put it out...see if you can minimize how much it takes to get your craving satisfied w/o getting sick...then keep cutting it down?  You'd have to do some serious cutting though - ie, I'd suggest cutting the # of cigarettes by 1/3, then only smoking part of the cigarettes each time...then cutting them back more from that. 

Remember, just because you lit the cigarette doesn't mean you have to fini****  Look at it like a candy bar, just because you opened it and ate a few bites doesn't mean you have to fini**** all at once, either.

The more you can cut back - and hopefully eliminate them soon - the better for you and your baby.

Make it difficult on yourself also...don't buy an entire carton, even if it's cheaper...buy them one pack at a time - and if you and your SO both smoke...then still one pack to share...and go outside - in the cold, if it's cold where you're at yet - and do it out there. Make yourself uncomfortable. 

I know I'm looking at this from a non-smoker's point of view, but I am trying to help you find a compromise to cutting bac****il you've stopped.  I hope it works for you.  Even one less cigarette a day is one less cigarette your baby's smoking via you.  Be strong and do your honest to God best. 

Good luck.

Congrats!!! I quit cold turkey 05/03/08 and my mom and brother quit cold turkey 06/15/08. My hubby does not smoke. It is so nice for all of us to get together and nobody has to go  outside to smoke, stop playing games to go smoke etc

It is not easy but so worth it! You should be proud of your decision!