Does smoking affect REAL early if preg.?

iVillage Member
Registered: 12-08-2006
Does smoking affect REAL early if preg.?
2
Fri, 12-08-2006 - 3:12pm
My last AF was around the last 2 weeks of September, but I am very irregular, been like that my whole life. Had some spotting about 3 or so weeks later since last AF, but since the spotting.. still no sign of AF. Except for some symptoms I've been having since late October/Early November, though the majority started more-so November. Sore, swollen, and tender breasts (not too much pain, and are obviously bigger), very sensitive nipples, swollen, as if it is pushing out, around the area above pubic bone, no morning sickess but do have rare spouts of quesiness. Sesitivity to smells/tastes of foods, nothing drastic though. Had libido boost about 3 weeks ago, and am still feeling a lot more sexual than usual. Sore, pulling feeling like behind my right hip bone (more-so the right hip than the left). Feeling more drained lately. Appetite has definitely increased, don't get full as fast. Vaginal canal seems as if it is swollen (sorry if tmi.. also, I do not know how you check your cervix position, any advice?) Peeing a alot more, and when I do go, it feels as if I didn't get it all out and it's like I can feel my bladder emptying out as if something is putting pressure on it. Constipated. Crazy dreams a lot lately, also a couple dreams of BFP tests! Mood swinging like crazy, veryyy bitchy and melodramatic (not usually this bad! =P), and find myself crying easily. Also, when I orgasm, immediately after, it feels like what would normally (for me) feel like AF cramps, lasting around 5-10 min. Other than those, that's pretty much all I've been experiencing.
Now, I am not sure when I may have conceived, could be ranging anywhere from my last AF and throughout all Oct./Early Nov. I am very concerned that something is going on down there, I'd taken 2 HPT around early Nov., both (night urine & morning urine) BFN. Though what I am experiencing could very well be just dragged out PMS since my AF's are irregular, I've never PMS'd like this before, if that is what it is. I'd made a GYN. appt, but could not make it since insurance problems. Hope to be visiting a local clinic to see about cheap blood testing. I don't want to buy another HPT because I feel as if I will just be wasting money on another BFN.. I've read of women who do not even get BFP on HPT's, or one lady who didn't get a HPT BFP until she was 2 months! I think that whatever it was that was causing my irregular periods may either be contributing to the BFN and am really preg. or is just getting worse and I am starting to notice. Which is why I am going crazy until I find out for sure. I am still very young, and I need to know because I am a smoker. If I was infact preg., would smoking this early affect it? I feel guilty and think I should quit even if I do not know for sure, just incase. But my addiction to nicotine has made me think, just that. 2 BFN, not preg., continue to smoke. I know! It's horrible.
So, hopefully I can get a little feedback from any of you ladies, let me know what you think or if possibly, you can relate.
Kind Regards, V


Edited 12/8/2006 3:31 pm ET by gal_ttc
iVillage Member
Registered: 12-08-2006
Fri, 12-08-2006 - 4:38pm
Hey, I know how you feel. I just found out last Thurs. that I'm pregnant and I am a pretty heavy smoker too and I'm only 22. But I have read that as soon as u suspect you're pregnant u should quit smoking because your baby's spinal cord and brain are developing already. I am due in early August so I am only 6 weeks pregnant, and I quit right away. Let me tell you, it's been 8 days and I only have a slight urge to smoke, it's not as bad as it was when I first went cold turkey. When u have the urge, just drink water, chew gum, or go outside and take in a couple deep breaths and it helps. And quitting even if you're not pregnant is always a healthy choice anyway, so even if u come to find ur not pregnant, its not like quitting is a bad thing to do to yourself.
iVillage Member
Registered: 03-28-2005
Fri, 12-08-2006 - 6:53pm

First of all, yes, smoking affects real early in pregnancy by increasing the chances of miscarriage. In addition, smoking decreases blood flow to the placenta which can retard growth. Many smokers have a lot of unhealthy habits, not just smoking, all of which contribute to potential problems.

You might be pregnant, you might not, but quit smoking NOW anyway. Save the money you would otherwise use for cigarettes and put that away to use for something better.

Even if you are not, getting on the pill will likely correct your Aunt Flo irregularity, which is very helpful. You'd be surprised how many women have no insurance!

Hope this helps,
Stephanie
A former smoker who quit 7 times, but finally succeeded.