WATCH: Oh, Kmart!
Pamela Poole: Talk About a Choking Hazard! What I Never Expected to…
Moms quit smoking during pregnancy only to start again
Filed under: Newborns, Just For Moms, Babies, Toddlers Preschoolers, Your Pregnancy, Health & Safety: Babies, Development/Milestones: Babies, In The News, Day Care & Education, Feeding & Sleeping, Baby-sitting, Research Reveals: Babies, Nutrition: Toddlers & Preschoolers, Expert Advice: Babies, Health & Safety: Toddlers & Preschoolers, Development: Toddlers & Preschoolers, Behavior: Toddlers & Preschoolers, Activities: Toddlers & Preschoolers, Gear Guides: Babies, Gear Guides: Toddlers & Preschoolers, Research Reveals: Toddlers & Preschoolers, Expert Advice: Toddlers & Preschoolers
Smoking is a hard habit to break, there's no doubt about it. In fact, according to USA Today, only 10 to 20% of people who try quitting succeed. But expectant mothers have a reason to quit smoking that goes beyond their own health -- smoking during pregnancy is linked to ectopic pregnancies, placental problems, and low birth weight. And according to the American Cancer Society, those potential health issues are reason enough for many pregnant women to kick the habit, even if only temporarily.
Up to 45% of expectant moms who smoke quit cold turkey, especially notable since nicotine products like patches and gum aren't recommended for pregnant women. That's the good news. The bad news is that the stress of new motherhood often causes those same women to return to their smoking habit after their baby is born -- up to 80% of moms start smoking again within a year of giving birth. Post-partum depression, stress, weight loss, and partners who smoke are often named as reasons women return to the habit.
This pattern is so familiar to me, even as a non-smoker. So often, as mothers, we'll do anything we can to protect the health of our children, but we forget sometimes to take care of our own health as well. I recently watched a friend give up her own cigarette habit cold turkey; I'm not sure what surprised me more, her fierce determination or the strength of her cravings. Quitting takes more than sheer willpower, and health professionals are starting to get the picture that new moms who smoked before pregnancy may need special support after giving birth to make sure they don't fall back onto cigarettes as a coping tool.
Learn more about smoking cessation for moms and dads at Smoke-free.gov.
Up to 45% of expectant moms who smoke quit cold turkey, especially notable since nicotine products like patches and gum aren't recommended for pregnant women. That's the good news. The bad news is that the stress of new motherhood often causes those same women to return to their smoking habit after their baby is born -- up to 80% of moms start smoking again within a year of giving birth. Post-partum depression, stress, weight loss, and partners who smoke are often named as reasons women return to the habit.
This pattern is so familiar to me, even as a non-smoker. So often, as mothers, we'll do anything we can to protect the health of our children, but we forget sometimes to take care of our own health as well. I recently watched a friend give up her own cigarette habit cold turkey; I'm not sure what surprised me more, her fierce determination or the strength of her cravings. Quitting takes more than sheer willpower, and health professionals are starting to get the picture that new moms who smoked before pregnancy may need special support after giving birth to make sure they don't fall back onto cigarettes as a coping tool.
Learn more about smoking cessation for moms and dads at Smoke-free.gov.
Your<span>Voice</span>
Ask Us Anything About Parenting
Recently Asked
- Here in dc since dec, 6 2006 retired FED BOARD GOV,inventor ,writter, FORMER GOVERNOR (founder of the republic of )DERIAN DOUGLAS HICKMAN
- If i own all or most of the property in dc think the mayor already knows. president and others including Embassies. on my property for 20 +years
- Government agent under oath washington dc civil filing?
TheTalkies:RelatedVideos
-
Should Men Stop Drinking During Pregnancy?
Pregnant moms make lots of sacrifices for the health of their babies. Like giving up alcohol, smoking and drugs. Should dads follow suit by giving up their vices? If dads decide not to quit, how can they manage the occasional brewski without annoying the expecting mom? The DadLabs dads have some ideas. Ep 485 is brought to you by BabyBjorn. Distributed by Tubemogul.
-
Smoking Quitting Statistics
Eletta Hansen explains some facts about smoking, and discusses how many people quit smoking each year
-
Quitting Smoking By Age 40 Erases Risk of Early Death
A study reveals that smokers who quit before age 40 erase almost all risk of early death. A new study has released some interesting data that provides stronger evidence of the health problems associated with smoking, but also shows positive results for those who quit.The findings, which were published in the New England Journal of Medicine revealed that quitting smoking by age 40 lowers your risk of a premature death.Smokers who refused to quit at all lose about a decade, while those who stoppe
-
New Study Proves Quitting Smoking Extends Your Life
Quit smoking, live longer! A new study of more than 1 million women shows quitting smoking can extend a woman's life by a decade.
SitesWeLove
- Site Map
- |
- Staff
- |
- Terms of Service
- |
- Privacy Policy
- |
- Trademarks
- |
- Advertise With Us
- |
- About Our Ads
- |
- AOL Downloads
- |
- Contact Us
- |
© Copyright 2012 AOL Inc. All Rights Reserved.
Aol Family
ReaderComments (Page 1 of 1)
7-29-2008 @ 5:13PM
jen said...I was an off and on smoker for quite some time. When I got pregnant, I whole heartedly quit and didn't look back. After the baby was born I had thoughts of the occassional cigarette, but the thought of my precious and pure baby snuggling up to a mommy who reeked of cigarettes and possibly making some type of permanent association made me want to throw up. I don't think I can ever smoke again.
Reply