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Smoking - giving up during pregnancy : A guide for pregnant women who want to stop smoking
| Contents: | Stopping smoking Tips for stopping Stopping smoking is worth it Thinking about your smoking Pregnancy and smoking |
Stopping smoking
Try to get support, from your partner, or a close friend, or a member of your family who you can talk to at difficult times. It may help to find someone who’s also trying to give up, or someone who’s already stopped smoking.
Your midwife, GP and Health Visitor will support you too. They will offer you encouragement and information. Ask for their help if you need it. They understand that it might be hard for you to stop.
You need that back-up all the time, until you’re 100% free of it yourself.
You may get cravings for a cigarette, but they don’t last long. It might help you if you can find something to do to take your mind off it.
A craving will last a few minutes - it’s a sensation that goes through you and you think “Oh I need a cigarette”. I just had to do something, like have a lollipop.
You get a spotless home when you’re giving up - all that housework!
Tried going for long walks because I hardly ever smoke when I’m out walking.
Work out what helps you most.
It used to be miserable not having a cigarette after a meal, but now I have a coffee.
Remember your reasons for wanting to stop smoking.
Plan ahead to cope with difficult times.
I couldn’t go day by day, I had to go hour by hour to keep myself off it.
The first time I went to the pub and didn’t have a fag, I came home and see the next morning, I felt dead chuffed. I was really pleased with myself that I’d managed it.
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