An Important Decision for You... Health Article

How Do You Feel About Smoking?

Like most moms, you want what's best for your baby. Quitting smoking is one of the best things you can do. Only you can decide whether you're ready to quit.

What Stage Are You In?

We often make a change by moving through stages. Depending on what stage you're in, you may need to read parts of this more than once. Do what's right for you. Work toward a change you can live with.

Which of these women is closest to how you feel now?

• "Why should I quit? I know women smokers with healthy kids. And my husband smokes, so we'd all be breathing smoke anyway. I quit once, then started again. It's too much. I smoke, and maybe that's all there is to it."

• "I'm thinking of quitting. Some days I want to stop, but I don't. There's always a cigarette I really crave, like after dinner. Though I won't quit for myself, I might quit for my baby. I know it would be good for us both."

• "I'm ready to quit. I've cut down on how much I smoke. I say I'm going to quit, but I can't always beat the urge to light up. Then I feel guilty. Or even a little sick. It's not fun anymore. Why do I still do it? I need help to quit smoking."

• "I quit. I don't smoke anymore. I'm glad I stopped, but I miss it sometimes. Quitting wasn't so bad, but it takes work. I had to find things to do when I got cranky. So I'm going to stay smoke-free. And I like myself more now."

Learn Why You Smoke

For most smokers, cigarettes fill a need. You may feel that smoking gives you energy. Maybe it's a pleasure, or just a habit. If you learn why you smoke, you can find other ways to meet your needs. For instance, if you smoke to reduce stress, try deep breathing instead. When you have other things to do, it's easier to quit.

List Your Reasons

You're likely to have a few reasons why you smoke. Most smokers do. Maybe you smoke to keep your hands busy. Think about your reasons and list them below.

• a chance to take a break at work

• a way to relax during traffic

• an "ice-breaker" at parties

Find Other Things to Do

What can you do instead of smoking? Keep your hands busy by doodling or learning to knit. List a new choice for each reason you smoke.

• walk and stretch for 5 minutes

• deep-breathe in time to the radio

• help serve the snacks

How Do You Benefit by Quitting?

When you quit smoking, it helps you as well as your baby. Think about the many benefits to quitting. For example, most people who quit smoking get sick less often. They also live longer. Can you think of more reasons to quit?

How Your Baby Benefits

Think about your baby. What are your hopes for your child? Perhaps you could save the money that went for cigarettes for:

• baby clothes

• music lessons

• college

• stroller

• baby monitor

• raincoat and  boots

How You Benefit

Think about your life. What's important to you? Most people who quit smoking find their health gets better and they have a little extra money to spend. Here's a short list of benefits:

• no more coughing

• no ashtrays to clean

• extra money for movies, etc.

What Triggers You to Smoke?

Look at your smoking diary again. For each entry, try to figure out what made you smoke. A smoking trigger may be a feeling, person, place, or event. Triggers are personal. Your triggers may not be the same as those of a family member or friend.

I.D. Your Triggers

You can plan ways to avoid your smoking triggers once you know what they are. Triggers can be physical. For example, you may feel restless after sitting through a meeting or a movie. Emotions can also be triggers. You may smoke when you feel angry, tired, lonely, or bored. Herea are some others. List your own:

• finishing a meal

• getting some bad news

• watching someone else smoke