Smoking Whilst Pregnant!

monty-doggy

I hope I haven't come across as a busybody, I'm the last person who would go and berate a pregnant lady smoking. Just have strong views on it because it breaks my heart.

As someone who cannot have children of my own, I probably take it too personal, because given the chance, I'd do anything within my power to be where they are, and nurture the baby to death!!! (For want of an expression lol!)

Georgiegirl256

@monty-doggy (stupid quote button still won't work :mad: ), Not at all, it wasn't aimed at anyone on this thread, more the kind of people that think it's alright to approach someone in the street (or wherever) and lambast someone for their choice to do what they are doing. Like I said, if it's for something illegal etc, then that's different, but for their 'legal' choice, well, it really is no-ones business but their own.

Sorry if I came across abit strong *hugs*

Caitlin_Bree

Don't get me wrong .. I'm not saying it is (responsible) at all .. I'm saying totally the opposite. I think it's a really selfish thing to do and probably not the actions of someone who's going to be a good parent.

I'm just pointing out that the situation's worst case scenario has the mother possibly either responsible for the death or ill health of her child, bearing the financial burden, and being the one to care for the sick child.. She doesn't get away from having possibly caused that, ever. I expect it's easier to live with your actions when you don't have to see the consequences daily.

Regarding how I would feel?.. I was a low birth weight baby. My biological mother was doing things she shouldn't have been doing.

Admittedly this hasn't affected me as much as it could have. But from what I've (quickly) read, survival, low birth weight and an increase in susceptability to cancer are issues that can arise due to in-utero smoking.
So, will I be angry if I get cancer? ..probably, but not at her. It's more likely to be my own fault for smoking as an adult...

I hear staying up all night doesn't help either, so goodnight/morning.

unholyangel

I'm pretty sure this subject has been broached a few times on MSE.

Like this thread, some relied "as soon as i found out i was pregnant, i stopped". Then people said when women find out they're pregnant, it should become illegal. But then that sparked a huge debate for several reasons. That the mothers would still be smoking while pregnant before knowing, that people may hide their pregnancy, what if the person was going to have an abortion, would it lead to innocent people being accosted because they look like they're pregnant or would pregnant women put off going to doc etc because once they're pregnant officially, they cant smoke any more etc.

There are lots of things that harm babies. Caffeine being one of them (coffee/tea/chocolate/juice). Car fumes being another (funny how everyone is concerned with 2nd hand smoke but seem completely oblivious to the other poisonous fumes which contribute to health/breathing problems). Dieting being another.

I dont think pregnant mothers should smoke unless not having one (not chain smoking) would be more harmful to the baby than the cigarette. And yes this can happen, especially if there are other factors such as additional stress or the mother getting too stressed. But I also think that while I might not like it, its not my body so not my business.

mummyroysof3

Will regards to fumes from cars etc that's not something that can be reasonably avoided but a mother smoking can

MamaMoo_2

Firstly, I will say I've never attacked a woman for smoking whilst pregnant. Whilst I think it's completely scummy to smoke when you're pregnant, I'm not going to get into an argument with someone who is clearly not a particularly nice person (for all those who wonder why I make this assumption, if a woman is willing to put her own child through that, who knows what they will do to someone they *don't* care about?)
Secondly, Dumbe, are you serious? Are you seriously saying that thinking a woman potentially causing lifelong issues or worse to her unborn child is bad is akin to racism? You're not all there are you? Being black/white/yellow/green/fat/thin/a 7 armed alien isn't having an effect, negative or otherwise, on anyone else. Smoking whilst pregnant could have seriously negative effects.
Of course, I do not agree with smoking at all, but significantly more so when a child is involved. Destroy your own body all you like, but to inflict that on a child is tantamount to child abuse.
Incidentally, there are certain medications doctors will not prescribe to pregnant women. Do you believe this is also akin to racism/sexism etc.?

Georgiegirl256

Well said unholyangel! :T

The point about traffic fumes is a very good one actually. My friend who is asthmatic, smokes, but it doesn't seem to bother her (probably wont help, but it doesn't seem to set her asthma off), anyhow, we went to Manchester once, and the traffic fumes set off a severe asthma attack and she ended up in hospital

I would argue that unless you want to lock yourself away for 9 months, it would be very difficult to avoid them.

jjj1980

I come from the standpoint of having had a very difficult, dangerous pregnancy with my daughter, resulting in a premature, low-birth weight arrival and stays in NICU for her and HDU for me.

I followed every bit of medical advice to the letter. No mayonnaise, no cheese, no ice-cream, no alcohol, healthy foods, have never smoked (covered my nose and mouth when walking through groups of people who were smoking if I was unable to avoid hem -hospital doorways being the worst!), no caffeine, didn't use salt the whole pregnancy. Whilst pregnant and after bringing my daughter home, everyone was told to not smoke within the 2 hours before visiting and must have changed clothes and washed well in between. If this offended anyone, tough!! Our health came first.

So for my daughter and myself to be as close to death as we were in the hours before and after her delivery, I really cannot understand why anyone would not follow the medical advice and take such risks.

unholyangel

mummyroysof3 wrote: »

Will regards to fumes from cars etc that's not something that can be reasonably avoided but a mother smoking can

Could move to the country either temporarily or permanently. Keep away from busy roads/high traffic areas when out with your baby etc.

My point was there are many things bad for unborn babies (and the rest of us humans!), why only target cigarettes? Why only target women who look pregnant (does it do any less harm if you dont know you're pregnant? no). World would be a lot nicer place if people werent allowed to smoke at all, or drink alcohol again (was illegal before!), or eat anything fattening or sugary etc (eh well maybe not nicer on that last count lol)

I would say it would be the beginnings of a nanny state but well...we've already started down that path. As much as I dont agree with what some people do, sometimes its just one of the "cons" to having certain rights and freedoms.

With all the abuse scandals and parents neglecting/abusing their kids....I think theres far more to tackle than whether they smoke during pregnancy or not. Of course I've seen very few pregnant mothers smoke so perhaps it seems less of an issue to me.

MamaMoo wrote: »

Secondly, Dumbe, are you serious? Are you seriously saying that thinking a woman potentially causing lifelong issues or worse to her unborn child is bad is akin to racism? You're not all there are you? Being black/white/yellow/green/fat/thin/a 7 armed alien isn't having an effect, negative or otherwise, on anyone else.

I think he means it would be a) discriminating against pregnant women over other women and b) also be discriminating women over men. Two protected groups under equality act.

Mrs_Ryan

monty-doggy wrote: »

I hope I haven't come across as a busybody, I'm the last person who would go and berate a pregnant lady smoking. Just have strong views on it because it breaks my heart.

As someone who cannot have children of my own, I probably take it too personal, because given the chance, I'd do anything within my power to be where they are, and nurture the baby to death!!! (For want of an expression lol!)

I know how you feel. When I had my hysterectomy last year, my Mum and Dad used to take me outside the entrance to the hospital for some fresh air. The gynae ward I was on was right beside the maternity unit and the entrance was always full of pregnant women puffing away. Now bear in mind I smoke myself (occasionally, I'm a social smoker really) but I always used to say I would give anything to be in their position and I certainly wouldn't be smoking. I'm a big girl anyway and was a strange shape for a while because of a giant fibroid, and I've had the 'think of the poor baby' accusations before which upset me greatly as I suffered terribly for years with PCOS before I finally had everything removed prematurely at 31 last year due to cancer, but end of the day its none of my business and I wouldn't have a go at anyone whether they looked pregnant or not!!