Wednesday, May 29, 2013

Use Nicorette Gum Throughout Pregnancy

Midwives and obstetricians have no doubt that cigarettes can cause serious damage at all stages of pregnancy. Smoking is known to cause birth defects, preterm labor, low birth weight and other serious complications. Because of this, some women choose to use Nicorette gum and other stop-smoking aids if they are unable to quit without help during pregnancy. The use of Nicorette gum and other nicotine-containing products can be dangerous, so it is important to carefully follow guidelines and recommendations to avoid unnecessary harm to the unborn baby.


Instructions


1. Talk to your doctor or midwife before taking Nicorette. Most health care providers only recommend nicotine gum as a last resort for women who can not quit alone. Depending on how much you smoke, your doctor or midwife may feel that continued smoking may be less dangerous than using nicotine gum.


2. Understand the risks. A 1996 study in "Clinical Pharmacology & Therapeutics" confirmed that nicotine levels are lower in babies born to mothers taking Nicorette than they are in women who smoke. However, Nicorette can still cause birth defects, preterm labor and other complications, especially if a mother uses it and continues to smoke.


3. Stop smoking completely before--not after--you begin taking Nicorette. During pregnancy, there is not a moment to lose. Quitting now will decrease the likelihood of damage to the baby. Do not smoke while taking Nicorette.


4. Follow Nicorette's guidelines for quitting, beginning with the lowest possible dose. Though Nicorette encourages that you start with at least nine pieces of gum per day, it is best to start with the lowest dose that seems to work for you.


5. End your use of Nicorette as soon as you feel confident that you can stay cigarette-free until the end of your pregnancy and beyond--but do not exceed taking Nicorette for more than eight to 12 weeks.









Related posts



    Pregnancy food dangersWhen a woman is pregnant, there are several foods that a she should avoid to protect her own health and the health of her unborn child. In addition to raw fish (sushi); tuna;...
    Data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention shows that about 13 percent of women smoke during the last three months of their pregnancies. Although you probably know that smoking can a...
    According to Terry Gorski, the owner and founder of CENAPS, pregnant women can reduce or eliminate the risk of at least five known complications common to newborn babies and children, simply by no...
    When people discuss pregnancy woes, they usually mention nausea and lack of energy. Yet, many women are surprised to find headaches to be one of the most common symptoms women suffer during pregna...
    Is It Safe to Drink Herbal Tea During Pregnancy?During pregnancy, everything the expectant mother eats reaches her baby. It's especially important to maintain a healthy diet during this time. Sinc...