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Is Smoking During Pregnancy Safe?

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Posted on Thu, 5 Mar 2015
Question: Awesome
Hi, my daughter who is about 5 weeks pregnant, was told by her primary doctor that she may continue smoking 5 digs a day because it would be better for her and her pregnancy than to quit cold turkey. I am livid but she has trust in her doctor and believes her advice is the best may I have your opinions? Thank you! Email is YYYY@YYYY
doctor
Answered by Dr. Srilatha Myaka (49 minutes later)
Brief Answer:
smoking is not good during pregnancy

Detailed Answer:
Hello dear,

welcome to healthcare magic.

I understand your concern.

In my opinion smoking is not advisable during pregnancy.
It releases nicotine which is carried through blood to fetus causing many untoward symptoms like miscarriage,preterm labour,lung problems in baby etc.

There is no "safe" level of smoking in pregnancy.

Better to join any smoking cessation programme if not able to do by herself.

Decrease coffee as coffee may cause urge to smoke.Keep mint or gum when feel like smoking.Better keep busy with a new hobby .

Nicotine patches are available but they are also not beneficial in pregnancy.

They are to be used only when smoking cessation programmes are not helpful.And they are used when benefits outweigh risks.

Above all she should be strongly educated that smoking harms her and baby equally and at least for baby she should try quitting
.
Hope this satisfies your query.

Feel free to ask any more queries.

Best regards...Dr srilatha
Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Bhagyalaxmi Nalaparaju
doctor
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Follow up: Dr. Srilatha Myaka (28 minutes later)
Thank you for your reply. Her Dr told her that the stressential of quitting right now at 5 to 6 weeks pregnant would be more harmful to the fetus than smoking 5 cigs daily. Do you agree...is stress more harmful than smoking?Do you feel that the stress of quitting cigarette right now at 5 to 6 weeks is putting the fetus in danger?
doctor
Answered by Dr. Srilatha Myaka (23 minutes later)
Brief Answer:
both are not good in pregnancy

Detailed Answer:
Hello sir,I understand your concern.I got your query.
In my opinion both stress and smoking are harmful in pregnancy. Quitting smoking causes withdrawal symptoms like irritability,cough,fever etc. But these symptoms might decrease in 10 to 14 days.
I suggest you to go for cessation programmes. Because if not able to quit from now on it will be difficult to do later.
Initial days of pregnancy are very important and we have to handle it carefully.
If I have a patient with similar complaints I would suggest to quit smoking as smoking might be more harmful than stress.
Hope this satisfies your query.
Feel free to ask any more queries.
Best regards...Dr.srilatha
Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Bhagyalaxmi Nalaparaju
doctor
Answered by
Dr.
Dr. Srilatha Myaka

OBGYN

Practicing since :2007

Answered : 2422 Questions

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Is Smoking During Pregnancy Safe?

Brief Answer: smoking is not good during pregnancy Detailed Answer: Hello dear, welcome to healthcare magic. I understand your concern. In my opinion smoking is not advisable during pregnancy. It releases nicotine which is carried through blood to fetus causing many untoward symptoms like miscarriage,preterm labour,lung problems in baby etc. There is no "safe" level of smoking in pregnancy. Better to join any smoking cessation programme if not able to do by herself. Decrease coffee as coffee may cause urge to smoke.Keep mint or gum when feel like smoking.Better keep busy with a new hobby . Nicotine patches are available but they are also not beneficial in pregnancy. They are to be used only when smoking cessation programmes are not helpful.And they are used when benefits outweigh risks. Above all she should be strongly educated that smoking harms her and baby equally and at least for baby she should try quitting . Hope this satisfies your query. Feel free to ask any more queries. Best regards...Dr srilatha