by Kori Nash

Created on: September 13, 2007

As a mother myself I worried about birth defects and problems while I was pregnant. I wondered if I was getting enough folic acid, if my diet was healthy enough, if I was drinking enough water, or if that half a pack of cigarettes I smoked the day I found out I was pregnant was going to harm my unborn child.

Smoking during pregnancy can not only cause a miscarriage, a stillborn child, premature birth, but low birth weight as well. Smoking raises the levels of carbon monoxide in your bloodstream. This reduces the amount of oxygen available to your baby and may cause breathing problems in your child.

Back in 2000, researchers at the University of Michigan Health System found that women who smoked during pregnancy were more likely to give birth to a baby with a cleft lip or palate. Besides the fact that it affects the child's appearance, it also affects the ability to hear, speak, eat and breathe.

A more recent study found that women who smoke while pregnant may have a higher chance of having a baby with abnormal fingers and toes, including webbed toes or too many or missing fingers or toes. There's also a chance of increased risk for asthma, ear infections, Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS), Attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), and with excessive smoking your child could even go through nicotine withdrawal.

So, how do you quit smoking?

The day I found out I was pregnant I threw my pack of cigarettes away and haven't touched one since. I now have a healthy 10 week old baby boy.

Maybe quitting cold turkey isn't the way for you but there are many different approaches you can take.

If your husband or partner smokes, maybe the two of you could quit together. If not, maybe you have a friend who is trying to quit. A "Quit Buddy" may be what you need.

Talk to your doctor about quitting smoking, he or she may be able to provide you with information you can use and help point you in the right direction.

Keep a notebook with you and when you have a craving for a cigarette, write down your feelings or whatever happens to be on your mind at the time.

Write down all the reasons why you want to quit, the benefits of quitting (healthier you, healthy baby, save more money, etc.). Read it whenever you need an uplift.

Ask for support from family and friends. It's easier to accomplish something when you don't feel like you're alone.

Most importantly, believe in yourself. Think about all the other things in your life that you thought were hard and couldn't do and yet, you did it. Having the determination and the right mind set can be a great accomplice. You can quit smoking.

The Internet can be another great tool. There are many websites devoted to helping people quit.
Try one of these:
http://www.quitnet.com
http://www.quitsmokingsu pport.com
http://www.trytostop.org

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