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How to stop smoking during pregnancy

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If you continue to smoke while pregnant there is a greater risk of a premature birth or your child suffering from asthma.  Health professionals warn young mothers that smoking, alcohol or all other drugs additions can drastically affect a baby’s development during pregnancy. Quit smoking straight away to reduce any harmful effects which could impact the health of your baby.  What techniques exist to help you stop smoking?  Here are some ideas… 

It is often recommended to contact your doctor, mid-wife or a tobacco specialist who will be able to give you advice as to how to quit smoking for good.  These professionals will have many effective solutions to help with a clean break.  However you could also look toward alternative medicines.  

You can also read: Stop smoking: 4 natural remedies

1/ Hypnosis

hypnose médicale docteur Tamalou
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Hypnosis is designed to be both a therapeutic technique and a modified state of consciousness.  During the session, the hypnotised person enters into an intermediary state between being awake and asleep.  Hypnosis can help patients overcome phobias, fears as well as being able to treat stress, issues with weight loss and the desire to quit smoking. 
Put simply, this technique focuses on emotions.  With this technique the hypnotist will create a negative and harmful environment around the cigarette. After 4 to 5 sessions, you will consider tobacco an unpleasant habit.

It is also possible to contact a hypnotist about any fears or anxiety connected to giving birth or pregnancy.  In this case the hypnotist will create a feeling of confidence surrounding the birthing process which will help reduce the fear of giving birth.

You can also read: 8 reasons to try medical hypnosis

2/ Make an appointment with an acupuncturist

acupuncture
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Acupuncture stimulates certain energy points in your body called meridians with the help of needles.  This type of alternative medicine originates from ancient Chinese medicine.  The benefits of this medicine have been proved to combat stress and anxiety.  To help the patient quit smoking the acupuncturist will concentrate on the wrists, ears, nose and top of the stomach.

Acupuncture sessions generally cost around £40 to £80. One session is enough to stop smoking however in general it is recommended to have 4 to 5 sessions so that you can quit smoking completely.

You can also read: 4 benefits of acupuncture you should know about

3/ Try out auriculotherapy

A strand of acupuncture, auriculotherapy involves stimulating certain points within the ear.  Often practiced by osteopaths, acupuncturists and sophrologists, auriculotherapy is a natural therapy than is still to be developed in Great Britain. However it is meant to be very effective in helping patients to quit smoking.

This technique is notably used to reduce pain, stress, anxiety and well as sleeping problems and temporary depression as well as additions to tobacco and alcohol.

4/ Try out Cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT)

Cognitive behaviour therapy
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Cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) aims to reduce the desire to smoke by analysing the patients habits with regards to smoking. For this, health professionals ask future mothers to keep a daily log. The mother need to scrupulously record the number of cigarettes smoked in a day, at what time they smoke, why they smoke and the social context of smoking.

This process could take at least one month (or sometimes even longer) with at least one session per week to see the therapy starting to take affect.  Each consultation costs around £40 to £60.

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