Pregnant Smokers

[robbo82]

In the last week, I have seen two heavily pregant women smoking, one of whom was even out in a nightclub drinking heavily. Do they not realise how selfish they're being? If they can't kick the habit for nine months for the sake of their unborn child, what kind of a mother are they going to make?

[~posy-jo~]

totally agree it's out of order! i understand smoking can be addictive but like you say surely they can give up for the sake of their baby. when i was in hospital having my kids i was amazed by the amount of women "nipping out for a smoke" xXx

[kazminx]

selfish cows!! disgusting yuck!!

[jiggy-gb]

It's disgusting that either parent smokes from when a pregnancy is discovered, and it shouldn't just be for the 9 months either. If you want kids, give up the cigs, both parents.
But there really is nothing more replusive than a pregnant woman smoking.

[unruliejulie]

I gave up when pregnant with both my sons although the last time i have stayed given up thank God!

This is my pet hate!

I used to work on a burger van a few years ago and we had this pregnant woman who used to make you stand and cook everything for that bit longer because of her baby! I couldn't believe when i looked over to where she was standing one day, puffing away on a cigarette!! Unbelievable.

[doglady]

Ooh I'm gonna smoke when I'm pregnant. I don't now, but I'm thinking of taking it up. Keep the baby small, stunt it's growth. Then when I'm labour, I'll sneeze, or cough, and it'll just fall out. Lovely and easy!!!

Just kidding. I do think it's a horrible selfish thing to do.

[China Doll]

I see them everyday standing outside the hospital, it's not pleasent. Mind you, I also see critically ill people and people with smoking related illnesses doing it too... And I do smoke and still think they're mentalists for smoking when pregnant, why stick your sins on the baby?!

Never knew you had such a sensitive side by the way Rob, good thread xx

[annavc]

This makes me so angry too. The other day I saw two teenagers, can't have been more than 17, both heavily pregnant. They also had two babies sitting in buggies with them at the bus stop and not only were they smoking but they were both blowing the smoke straight at the babies. One actually leant in to the buggy to straighten the bow stuck on the child's head and blew smoke into her face from about an inch away. I was going to say something but chickened out when I realised I'd probably just a get a load of abuse back.

[spk]

I agree. I think both smoking and drinking are huge no nos when pregnant. The drinking one is more common though Ive never understood how a woman can think a vodka and coke is good for her baby

[metagirl]

a girl I know admitted to doing coke even though she had found out she was pregnant. She's more heavily pregnant now - I don't really care enough to find out whether she's still using. I don't understand how it can be increasingly popular to have children and be the 'yummy mummy' but they still act completely irresponsibly - do they realise that kids are more than a fashion statement?

[noxlumos]

I don't think you can write someone off as a parent simply because they smoke ( niether my wife nor I smoke before anyone thinks that I'm biased). True enough it's very much less than ideal but some people would be stressed beyond words if they quit or tried to which is dangerous in itself during pregnancy and it's their decision. They may then make exemplary parents once the child is born. There's more to having kids than reading baby books and "abiding by the rules". Kids need love and affection, support and understanding and amazingly enough they don't give a hoot whether the person concerned smokes or not. It's not ideal but it's not the worst thing in the world either, and I think we shouldn't adversely judge people who we don't know.

[Backdrifter]

It reinforces my view that you should have to sit a parenting exam, or be tested in some other way. Way too many people become parents who are completely unsuited to it. Sometimes you look at them and you have to wonder what chance their children have, with scum-of-the-earth parents like that.

Last week I saw a little boy finish his drink and his dad took the plastic cup off him and just threw it on the street (when, of course, there were bins less than 10 yards away). That kid will grow up thinking, dad does that so it's okay. A small example, but I believe that's how kids grow up with no social niceties and that "couldn't give a t*ss" attitude.

[China Doll]

In almost total agreement with Backdrifter.

[Loosehead]

I think that we all proceed from the false assumption that smokers care about anyone. They don't even care about themselves or their own families as long as they can indulge their habit that's all they care about. How many times have you seen kids in a car being gassed by their parents? Hardly going to think twice about an unborn child. Smokers are totally selfish they think we all enjoy their foul odour and cannot comprehend that they may be doing harm, all that matters is their disgusting fix.