Smoking During Pregnancy

Our mission at Mother's Intuition Massage is to provide you with tools and support to help you and your baby be healthy and live well. There is no doubt: becoming a non-smoker is incredibly challenging. It has been likened to coming off heroine. The cravings can be intense, even overwhelming. Without the proper support, many women cannot quit. And the ones that quit just for the sake of my baby often light up again days or weeks after birth.

The good news is that within 72 hours after your last cigarette, your blood will be clear of nicotine. The number of cravings per day will have peaked and be on the decline. And even better, your unborn baby will start thriving in ways he or she cannot when being impacted by nicotine, carbon monoxide, and all the other chemicals that come in each cigarette.  (See WhyQuit.com's article on smoking during pregnancy and breastfeeding for more details.)

Here is how we can help you if you are pregnant (or breastfeeding) to stop smoking:

1) Massage during the first days of cold-turkey withdrawal can significantly reduce body-centered anxiety. Two or three half hour sessions can really help you get over the hump. Ongoing massage then helps to raise your overall sense of well-being, and that is definitely good for both you and the baby. It's a great way to invest the money you will save from not buying all those cigarettes! We're also open to discussing special financial considerations for pregnant mothers committed to quitting.

2) Emotional freedom coach Rick Wilkes offers to our pregnant and breastfeeding massage clients a FREE short course in EFT, Emotional Freedom Techniques. EFT is a form of "emotional acupuncture" except you use your fingertips to tap on key relaxation points rather than using needles. It often works when nothing else has. EFT is highly effective in reducing anxiety during the craving periods so you can be calm and confident, focusing on the positive health benefits for you and your baby.

You can learn more about EFT for pregnancy and smoking cessation on Rick's website at www.thrivingnow.com. If you are outside of our area, Rick works by phone with clients around the world on all pregnancy-related emotional issues.

3) Stop-smoking groups and programs are everywhere, including on the internet. www.WhyQuit.com offers support forums, articles, and additional help for getting through the first three days and then day-by-day after that.

Quit Lines offer free support 24/7. They are an excellent listening ear when things get tough:

West Virginia — 1-877-Y-NOT-QUIT (1-877-966-8784)
National Cancer Institute — 1-877-44U-QUIT
American Cancer Society (ACS) — 1-800-ACS-2345
American Lung Association — 1-800-LUNG-USA

We know that pregnant women who smoke suffer from criticism and judgment from others as well as guilt of their own for not "doing what is best" for their baby. We know this is a physical and emotional challenge, as it will be for your baby when the first three days of its life are spent in nicotine withdrawal unless you quit NOW.

We also know that the combination of massage, EFT, and professional support can get your through this... and nothing is more important for your health and well-being and that of your baby during these crucial months. We'd like to help. Please feel free to email your questions and concerns to: Jennifer@MothersIntuitionMassage.com

We'll hold a Good Thought for you!