Pregnancy | Reasons for Staying Stopped
...Lying is done with words and also with silence...
Adrienne Rich (1975)
Your baby has arrived and you may feel that your reason for giving up is over but it isn't! Its really important that you stay stopped now that baby is born.
Don't be tempted by the extra stress or because you feel tired or overworked - Stay stopped!
Why? Because of the following:
Health Risks to Your Children
You probably stopped because you were worried about the risks to your baby in the womb - the same risks apply now that they are born.
Every time you smoke around a child or baby they are smoking too through 'Passive or Secondhand Smoking'.
A baby's lungs are much smaller than an adults and when they breath in the chemicals from cigarette smoke it can cause them a number of problems including:
- Higher risks of asthma and asthma attacks
- Greater chance of being admitted to hospital
- Double the risk of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (Cot Death)
- Greater chance of 'Glue Ear' and partial deafness
- Much higher risk of chest infections, coughs, bronchitis and pneumonia
- More likely to smoke themselves when they are older
Parental smoking is responsible for at least 17,000 admissions to hospital each year of children under the age of five.
To find out more about Secondhand Smoke click here.
Health Risks to You
You may think that your babies health is the most important thing right now but your health is very important too. If you are ill then your baby and your family will suffer too.
There are many health risks associated with smoking. Below are listed just a few of them but to find out more click here.
- Heart Disease
- Stroke
- Breathing & Lung problems
- Cancers of the lungs, mouth, throat and bladder
- Increased risk of lower fertility
- Miscarriage in future pregnancies
- Osteoporosis or Brittle bones
Did you know that smoking combined with the pill increases the risk of heart disease and stroke by 10 times?
Safety in Your Home
- Lighted cigarettes and hot ash cause burns to children
- Matches and lighters can cause serious accidents including major fires and death
- Cigarettes and ash are poisonous to babies and children
- If your child eats a cigarette it will make them sick
You Can Stay Stopped!
Yes, it may be hard but you can do it!
Before you give in to the urge, think about why you are feeling that way:
- Is it the habit you are missing? If so then click here for some ideas
- Is it when you are feeling stressed? If so then click here for some ideas
Are you worried about your weight? Try to eat a healthy and balanced diet and don't forget that Breast feeding uses lots of energy so is very good for both you and the baby.
Why not take a look at the other Smoking During Pregnancy pages:
20 Reasons
20 great reasons not to smoke when you are pregnant
Fact or Fiction?
The answers to your smoking during pregnancy questions
Reasons for Staying Stopped
Tips and hints on how to stay stopped once the baby is born
Have you got lots of questions but don't know where to go to get the answers?
Don't worry, they are not too far away...
You can either:
- Call one of our team on 0800 0854 113
- or Email one of our advisers