Addictions by definition make people do crazy and selfish things

Smoking when pregnant has slowly but surely become socially unacceptable in the UK which is a very positive step, when one considers that 40 years ago many mothers continue to smoke right through pregnancy. Eating healthily, not drinking alcohol and staying away from cigarettes have shown to reduce the chances of pregnancy complications and low birth weight.

Despite the general perception regarding smoking and pregnancy some expectant mothers however continue to smoke. This problem tends to be concentrated around low income areas and despite health advice these women say things like "after all my mother smoked when she was pregnant and I'm all right".

Many women report that when they become pregnant they lose the desire to smoke completely, however for others their addiction is so powerful that despite the embarrassment they undergo and despite the knowledge that they are potentially harming their unborn child they can't stop themselves lighting up. At Ukmedix News we have spoken to women who have expressed great concern about getting pregnant because "they might not be able to give up smoking".

If you ever want to dwell on how powerful a smoking addiction can be you should think of those mothers who continue to smoke despite clear evidence that they are harming not only their unborn child but also other children around them.

As a young woman you may well say to yourself that you would never smoke when pregnant but then you don't know how powerful your addiction will be when the moment comes! Addictions by definition make people do crazy and selfish things and a smoking addiction is no different.

Feeble excuses, procrastination and deluding yourself with false information will only get you into more trouble later. The longer you smoke the stronger your addiction becomes. The only time to quit smoking is right now! If you have a very strong addiction you might need to make use of smoking cessation medications, but be warned that if you are pregnant you may not be able to use them.