Detecting Cannabis Use In Pregnancy
Optimal identification of drug exposure has a crucial impact on pregnancy and long-term health outcomes for both the mother and her child. Early detection of drug use allows for timely implementation of harm-reduction strategies designed to moderate drug use as well as to minimise the impact of drug-using lifestyles on the family. Supportive care may favour changes that alter drug-using behaviours, although it must also be acknowledged that complete cessation or abstinence of drug use is not possible for many women. Nevertheless, early detection facilitates ongoing support and may produce potentially valuable lifestyle changes that go beyond the perinatal period.
In addition to specific supports targeting drug use, detection of drug use in pregnancy also permits implementation of strategies that provide drug-using mothers with specific mothercraft and intensive postnatal support, such as intensive home-visiting programmes. Such programmes have been demonstrated to decrease the risk of childhood morbidity and mortality in high-risk disadvantaged adolescent parents. Similarly, targeted education in other aspects of routine parenting, such as safe sleeping practices, may be beneficial as the incidence of night-time Sudden Infant Death Syndrome is significantly higher , in cannabis-exposed infants.
Donât Miss: Lasik While Pregnant
Chain Reaction: What Happens If You Smoke Weed While Pregnant
Before concluding whether it is ideal to smoke marijuana while pregnant because only tobacco is deemed dangerous, ask yourself, does smoking weed affect pregnancy? It is a bit difficult to determine the exact impact marijuana has on the body while pregnant. However, medically, marijuana is rarely prescribed to pregnant women to cure nausea, pain and muscle cramps but no controls or regulations for this kind of solution so this option might be discussed as an alternative with a doctor. Tetrahydrocannabinol , the substance most responsible for the psychoactive effects, has been shown to cross the placenta, transports to the brain of the fetus
Before concluding whether it is ideal to smoke marijuana while pregnant because only tobacco is deemed dangerous, ask yourself, does smoking weed affect pregnancy? It is a bit difficult to determine the exact impact marijuana has on the body while pregnant. However, medically, marijuana is rarely prescribed to pregnant women to cure nausea, pain and muscle cramps but no controls or regulations for this kind of solution so this option might be discussed as an alternative with a doctor. Tetrahydrocannabinol , the substance most responsible for the psychoactive effects, has been shown to cross the placenta, transports to the brain of the fetus
Can Smoking Weed Make It Harder To Get Pregnant
Stefani Davis, a Womens Health Nurse Practitioner has stated that Any person who is pregnant or contemplating pregnancy should be encouraged to discontinue their use of marijuana by their medical provider. She further states, Counseling women on the potential effects of marijuana on their reproductive health is of utmost importance as they consider pregnancy, as early education could save them from stress and complications of infertility that could have been avoided without the use of marijuana.
Additionally, research indicates that long-term use of marijuana could affect the menstrual cycle, making it more difficult to get pregnant. However, the effects on fertility do not appear to be long term and usually dissipate when marijuana use is stopped.
Also Check: What Are The Common Symptoms Of Pregnancy
Can A Baby Have Withdrawals From Weed
Yes, babies can experience withdrawals from THC, an utterly heartbreaking experience that can have long-term developmental consequences. Babies generally only have issues with THC withdrawal if their mothers habitually used cannabis while pregnant, though. If a pregnant mother only uses cannabis once or twice, it is very unlikely that her baby will experience any THC withdrawal symptoms especially if the cannabis use in question took place early during pregnancy.
Risks To Developing Fetuses
If marijuana can affect a pregnant mother, what about her baby? Does smoking marijuana affect pregnancy? Research shows that marijuana use during pregnancy may reduce the flow of blood and oxygen through the placenta. There are also concerns about the way THC and other cannabinoids may affect the baby itself. After a mother consumes cannabis, it crosses the placenta, causing the babys blood THC level to rise to anywhere from one-third to one-tenth of the level of THC in the mothers blood.
The same British Medical Journal study that looked into anemia, marijuana, and pregnancy also found that babies born to women who used marijuana while pregnant were smaller in size and were likely to require time in neonatal intensive care.
Numerous studies show that marijuana has a negative impact on adolescents brains, with some research linking cannabis use in juveniles to a lower IQ. Due to these findings, scientists also believe its not healthy for the brains of fetuses.
A growing body of evidence shows potential risks to mother who consume cannabis during pregnancy, as well as harm to their developing fetuses.
Don’t Miss: How To Reduce Weight During Pregnancy
When Can I Resume Smoking Weed
You can safely resume smoking weed after your baby is born, with a few caveats.
First, as Dr. Tishler explains, if you are breastfeeding, its best to avoid smoking weed. Cannabinoids do get concentrated in breastmilk, he says.
The Academy of Breastfeeding Medicine explains that while data about the effects of cannabis exposure on infant development is sparse and conflicting, there is clear evidence that cannabis gets transferred into breast milk and absorbed by babies. In fact, tetrahydrocannabinol , one of the main components of weed, is present in breast milk at eight times the rate than in the plasma of moms who smoke it.
The other thing to keep in mind, says Dr. Jones, is that even if you arent breastfeeding, babies can be exposed to weed through secondhand smoke. As ABM shares, infant exposure to secondhand marijuana smoke has been associated with an increased risk of SIDS.
Finally, if you are smoking weed recreationally, you need to be sure that you are awake and alert enough to care for your infant if not, you should refrain from smoking or arrange alternative childcare.
What Is Cannabis Use Disorder
Cannabis use disorder may be diagnosed when a person has more than one sign of problem use â such as strong cravings to take the drug, withdrawal symptoms, and continuing to use it even when itâs causing problems at work or in relationships.
Based on medical records, few pregnant women in the study had a marijuana use disorder. But the rate increased over time â from just under 3 per 1,000 in 2001, to almost 7 per 1,000 in 2012.
Recommended Reading: Can The Ava Bracelet Detect Pregnancy
Is It Too Late To Quit Smoking Weed At 30 Weeks Pregnant
Its never too late to protect your baby by quitting weed. We dont know how harmful THC is to fetal development, and it might not be as bad as people think. Growing a child in your womb, however, is the most delicate endeavor your body will ever undertake, so its best to control as many variables as possible.
Can You Get Your Medical Card While Pregnant
The ability to get a medical marijuana card while pregnant will vary based on the state that you are in and the doctor who evaluates you. However, getting a medical card does not reduce any of the risks that marijuana creates during pregnancy. It is unwise to use marijuana during pregnancy, regardless of whether you have a medical card or not.
Also Check: Can I Take Robitussin Dm Max While Pregnant
Can Pregnant Women Smoke Marijuana
Pregnant women should not smoke marijuana. There are many different risks when marijuana is used during pregnancy, even when it is used in ways other than smoking. The chemicals in marijuana, especially tetrahydrocannabinol , can have negative impacts on the health of a mother and the child she is carrying.
Are More Women Using Marijuana While Pregnant
Yes. Marijuana use in pregnancy has become increasingly common, putting more babies at risk of exposure. Nationally, self-reported marijuana use among pregnant women nearly doubled between 2002 and 2017, from 3.4 percent to 7 percent overall and from nearly 6 percent to 12 percent in the first trimester. Researchers estimate that today about 1 in 20 women uses weed during pregnancy, and usage is even higher among young women 18 to 25 years old.
Legalization of marijuana in many states may be contributing to the uptick. Stories on social media about women using marijuana during pregnancy to relieve pregnancy symptoms may also be influencing the increase. Although there’s no evidence that marijuana is safe or effective at treating pregnancy-related issues, women have reported using weed for morning sickness, anxiety, and stress. Unfortunately, these anecdotes can give the mistaken impression that pot use during pregnancy is safe.
Cannabis dispensaries may be adding to pregnant women’s confusion about weed, recommending it for use in pregnancy and directly contradicting the warnings of medical experts. In one study, researchers posing as pregnant women called 400 randomly selected cannabis dispensaries, and more than two-thirds of dispensaries recommended using marijuana for morning sickness.
Read Also: What Pregnant Women Shouldnt Eat
Dangers Of Using Marijuana During Pregnancy
Because marijuana has been legalized in numerous places and is often used as an effective medical treatment for a variety of illnesses and ailments, this had led many people to believe that its a natural substance thats safe to use under any circumstances, including pregnancy. However, marijuana is a medication, as well as a recreational substance and just like any other substance, it can have an impact on both a mother and her baby. What are the effects of smoking marijuana while pregnant? Unfortunately, the evidence shows that using marijuana is far from harmless to pregnant women and developing fetuses. The risks are so concerning that in 2018, the American Academy of Pediatrics issued guidelines warning women not to use marijuana in any form during pregnancy.
Why Dont We Know More About Using Marijuana During Pregnancy
Its difficult to study the specific effects of using marijuana during pregnancy for several reasons, including:
- Women in studies may also be using tobacco, alcohol, or other drugs, so its hard to isolate the effects of weed.
- Pregnant women may not want to admit theyre using marijuana or how much theyre using.
- Ethical concerns and the federal classification of marijuana as a Schedule 1 drug prevent researchers from conducting clinical trials involving weed and pregnant women.
Learn more:
Recommended Reading: How Does Folic Acid Help To Get Pregnant
Recommended Reading: What Tylenol Is Safe For Pregnancy
Does Marijuana Use During The Second Or Third Trimester Cause Complications
Conceivably yes. As with cigarettes, smoking marijuana can increase the bloods carbon monoxide, resulting in a decrease in the amount of oxygen that is transmitted to the baby. There are studies that suggest women who smoke marijuana regularly have an increased chance of complications that may include:
- premature birth
- small head size
Babies born prematurely or with low birth weight often have an increased rate of learning, and other disabilities. Some studies show that the more THC a woman ingested, the effects of smoking weed while pregnant presented a higher her risk of these complications. However, additional research is needed to reach a cohesive conclusion.
Another concern is that THC could affect the placenta. The placenta is the organ that controls what passes from mother to baby and baby to mother. Research has demonstrated that its possible for THC to travel through the placenta during pregnancy reaching the babys system.
How Does Smoking Affect Fertility
Smoking can cause fertility problems for you or your partner. Women who smoke have more trouble getting pregnant than women who dont smoke. In men, smoking can damage sperm and contribute to impotence . Both problems can make it harder for a man to father a baby when he and his partner are ready.3, 4
Don’t Miss: What Week Am I In My Pregnancy
What Are Risks For Babies Of Moms With Cannabis Use Disorder
Babies born to moms with cannabis use disorder were more likely to be born early and underweight, versus babies whose mothers did not have the disorder but were similar in terms of race, education and overall health.
They were 6% more likely to be born preterm and 13% more likely to be either underweight or small for gestational age — a sign of growth restriction in the womb.
The risks were greater when moms used both marijuana and tobacco. But pot use was a risk factor regardless of cigarette smoking, the researchers said.
And while few babies died during the first year of life — fewer than 1% — those whose moms used marijuana heavily had a 35% higher risk.
Can Using Marijuana During Pregnancy Cause Problems For Your Baby
Yes. When you use marijuana during pregnancy, THC and other chemicals can pass through the placenta to your baby. The placenta grows in your uterus and supplies your baby with food and oxygen through the umbilical cord. Chemicals from marijuana also may pass to your babys brain.
Researchers are continuing to study the effects of marijuana use during pregnancy. Women who use marijuana may smoke cigarettes, drink alcohol or use other street drugs, making it hard to know exactly how marijuana affects pregnancy. Some studies suggest that if you use marijuana during pregnancy, your baby may have problems, including:
If you use marijuana during pregnancy, your baby can have problems after birth and may need to spend time in the neonatal intensive care unit . A NICU is the nursey in a hospital where sick newborns get care. These problems include:
- Withdrawal symptoms, like tremors , seizures, vomiting, slow weight gain or long periods of crying after birth. These symptoms usually go away within the first two weeks after birth.
- Problems with sleeping.
- Problems with behavior, memory, learning, problem-solving, depression and paying attention.
You May Like: How To Ease Hemorrhoid Pain During Pregnancy
Are Edibles And Vaping Safer During Pregnancy
Many women try to mitigate harm by changing how they use weed and cutting back on how much they consume. Pollock, for instance, smoked less than she did before she was pregnantone joint would last her a few daysand tried a vape but went back to smoking because it didnt have the same effect. Vaping reduces exposure to the byproducts of combustion and the carcinogens in marijuana smoke but, like with smoking, the THC still transfers almost immediately into the bloodstream. Edibles, tinctures and lotions dont have the harmful effects of smoking, and they lead to lower levels of THC in the mothers blood. Still, no method of deliveryvaping, smoking or ingestinghas been proven to be safe. No matter what way its ingested, the active ingredients in cannabis are still getting into moms bloodstream and still being passed on to the fetus, Cook says.
Studies have shown that the more cannabis a woman consumes, the greater the risk to her baby, but we dont know how much is absolutely safe and we dont know how much is absolutely harmful, Cook says, adding that we probably never will, since four decades of research into alcohol use during pregnancy have yet to determine a safe limit. Pot is also getting more potent. A study of more than 38,000 samples found that THC levels tripled in two decades, from four percent in 1995 to 12 percent in 2014.
What Are The Dangers Of Smoking Marijuana During Pregnancy
Smoking marijuana while pregnant does have health effects on your baby.
“There’s a common misconception that because is a plant, it’s safe,” said Dr. Nora Volkow, director of the U.S. National Institute on Drug Abuse.
With marijuana use in pregnancy, your baby may also be more likely to have:
There may also be a higher risk of some birth defects, stillbirth or miscarriage, premature birth and admission to the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit . A study in the Journal of the American Medical Association reviewing more than 660,000 pregnancies found the rate of preterm birth among reported cannabis users was significantly higher than nonusers – about 12%.
Growing research is showing that THC may change the way your baby’s brain grows and develops. In fact, the Surgeon General issued a health advisory on marijuana use among pregnant women.
“No amount of marijuana use during pregnancy or adolescence is known to be safe,” the Surgeon General’s advisory on marijuana use during pregnancy says. “Until and unless more is known about the long-term impact, the safest choice for pregnant women and adolescents is not to use marijuana.”
Don’t Miss: What Is The Best Vitamins To Take When Pregnant
So How Do You Treat Morning Sickness
Nausea in pregnancy is usually temporary and gets better in the second trimester for most people, Dr. Richardson said. But there are some natural remedies that can help reduce your discomfort.
Here are a few home remedies that can help with morning sickness:
- Ginger Anything with ginger can help you feel better naturally. I tell my patients to give ginger ale, ginger tea and ginger candies a try.
- Wristbands Some people find that wearing a wristband that presses on a specific pressure point helps relieve nausea and motion sickness.
- Medication For some people, the nausea and vomiting can be more severe and they may need medication treatment. Over-the-counter options are vitamin B6 and doxylamine. And if there are issues with dehydration or severe nausea, there are many prescription medications your doctor or midwife can talk to you about.
- The B.R.A.T. diet Bananas, rice, applesauce, and toast have more mellow flavors and are easy to digest.
Dont be shy about talking with your doctor or clinician about how youre feeling. If you regularly use marijuana and want to quit, they can help you find support systems. And if you are thinking about getting pregnant, now is a good time to quit. Marijuana stays in your system for a month or sometimes longer.
