Smoking in Pregnancy Facts

Depression, Anxiety and Weight Control

Many studies have shown that smokers are generally more depressed than non-smokers. But it is uncertain whether smoking itself causes depression, or whether depressed people choose to smoke. One study of adolescents , taking up smoking, has indicated that the smoking comes first and is followed by depression.

Printer friendly version of this page (75KB pdf)

This pattern is similar to illicit drug addiction, where the drug causes a temporary lift in mood, while causing depression in the long term.

It is uncertain whether we can blame cigarettes for depression, but we do know that for many smokers, depression and anxiety are serious issues. Nicotine addiction is a powerful addiction. It is important to take the addiction seriously, and to recognize that quitting smoking may be difficult if underlying depression and anxiety have not been addressed.

Now that Nicotine Replacement Therapy is available for pregnant women it may be much easier for pregnant women to make the break from cigarettes. Other drugs that have been used as antidepressants can also be very useful for people addicted to nicotine, however, these are not generally available to pregnant women. They may be very helpful for your partner.

Hormonal changes in your body during pregnancy, along with body image changes and changes to your finances, etc, place an enormous stress on many pregnant women. If you are prone to anxiety and depression, these problems may become much more pronounced during pregnancy.

Episodes of severe anxiety and depression are likely to cause you to go back to smoking. It is really important that you seek help and support for your anxiety and depression.

Recent changes have made access to psychologists and other counsellors, much more affordable. In general, counsellors are not allowed to bulk bill you to help you quit smoking, but they are able to bulk bill you for treatment of your anxiety or depression. If you think anxiety and depression will be in issues for you during your pregnancy, you should ask your doctor how to access counselling,

It is very common women to suffer the blues after having their baby. It is a fairly normal reaction to very large changes in your hormones and physiology. Some women feel so sad that they find it hard to seek help. It is very important to seek help if this happens to you.

Healthy Weight

Smokers sometimes find that they gain weight, when they quit smoking.

It is important that you don't replace smoking with snacking, and if you do find yourself nibbling, try to stick to fruit and vegetables. Nicotine can suppress your appetite, so it is important to watch your diet when you quit smoking.

Another approach is to take up some regular physical activity. Walking for half an hour a day is probably all you need to keep your weight down when you stop smoking. Sometimes it's hard to find the time to get some regular physical activity, but don't forget that when you were a smoker you probably spent at least half an hour a day smoking.

When you stop smoking, it's important to keep a little time for yourself, just as you did when you smoked. Perhaps you can replace ”smoko” with a brisk walk, or at the least a 15 minute rest.

You may find one of the many private weight loss organizations helpful. You could ask your GP about seeing a dietician.

If your weight continues to be a major problem when you quit smoking, talk to your doctor or pharmacist about the many medications and treatments available to help with weight loss. Some of them are expensive, but they are certain to be less expensive than smoking, and much better for your health.

-Top of page-