Critical Involvement Of The Endocannabinoid System In The Female Reproductive System And The Fetus Development
ECS components were detected not only at the plasmatic level but also in the human reproductive structures. High levels of FAAH were found in the human cytotrophoblast and syncytiotrophoblast, suggesting its protective role modulating AEA concentrations and preventing AEA from crossing to fetus by the placenta . FAAH and progesterone appear to show the same fluctuations during the menstrual cycle, indicating its correlation and implication as AEA concentrations modulators . Consequently, AEA levels during the period may be controlled by gonadotrophins, estrogen, or its combination . Furthermore, ECS receptors were detected in several reproductive organs and structures in different gestational phases, and its implication in achieving a successful pregnancy has been suggested. Both CB1r and CB2r were found in the medulla and cortex of the ovary and in the corpus luteum and corpus albicans . In addition, it was reported that ECS regulates a normal embryo transport via oviductal CB1r . These findings suggest that, under physiological conditions, ECS signaling through CB1r is crucial to various female reproductive events and for the normal fetal development.
Is It Harmful To Use Marijuana Before Pregnancy
Yes. Before pregnancy, using marijuana can affect your fertility and make it hard for you to get pregnant. Marijuana can affect:
- Hormones that your body needs to get pregnant. Hormones are chemicals made by the body.
- Your menstrual cycle. This is the process of your ovaries releasing an egg every month.
- A mans sperm count . A mans sperm fertilizes a womans egg to begin a pregnancy.
What Is Medical Marijuana
Medical marijuana is sometimes used to treat certain health conditions, like cancer or severe pain. In many states, medical marijuana is legal to use with a recommendation from your health care provider. It can be smoked, vaped or eaten. The Food and Drug Administration has not approved marijuana as a safe and effective medicine for any health condition.
In some states, marijuana is legal for personal use thats not for medical reasons.
Even if its legal where you live for either personal or medical use, no amount of marijuana is safe to use marijuana during pregnancy, even to treat morning sickness. There is also no safe way to use marijuana. If youre thinking of using marijuana to help with morning sickness, talk to your provider about other treatments that are less harmful to your baby.
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How Does Marijuana Impact A Developing Baby
What you eat, smoke and drink during pregnancy and after birth passes to your baby through your placenta and breastmilk. The chemical THC, found in marijuana, also crosses the placenta from the mother to the baby’s bloodstream. The drug exerts its effects by stimulating so-called cannabinoid receptors. And fetal cannabinoid receptors start to develop in the first trimester.
Is It Safe To Use Weed During Pregnancy
Weed use during pregnancy isnt one of those gray areas in pregnancy where it should be mostly avoided, or where there are safer ways to do it. There arent smaller dosages that are considered acceptable either, and there are no known benefits that outweigh the risks of smoking.
The hard truth is that you really must refrain from smoking weed or using cannabis products throughout your entire pregnancy to protect your baby from health concerns, including stillbirth, prematurity, and brain development problems.
All major health organizations are in consensus about this, including the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists and the Academy of American Pediatrics . As ACOG explains it, weed use during pregnancy is a problem, whether smoked or ingested, because the chemicals found in weed have been found to reach both the fetus and placenta.
Dr. Jordan Tishler, an emergency room physician, president of the Association of Cannabis Specialists, and CEO of InhaleMD, agrees that smoking weed during pregnancy is something all pregnant parents need to avoid, without exceptions. If you are planning to become pregnant in the future and are a regular weed smoker, you should plan to stop prior to attempting to conceive.
I recommend that women who are using cannabis for medical purposes stop using it 3 months prior to trying to conceive or immediately upon learning that they are pregnant , says Dr. Tishler.
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Turning To Marijuana As Medicine
A recent study showed that marijuana use is much more frequent in the first trimester than later in pregnancy. One explanation may be that women are using marijuana to reduce nausea and vomiting that occurs early in pregnancy.
For nausea and vomiting, there are many prescription medications and non-medical treatments that are safe to take during pregnancy. To alleviate physical discomfort and pain there are many other options to consider such as massage, physical therapy, and pregnancy bands all of which have been proven to help.
Pregnant women are at higher risks for depression than people in the general population, but marijuana is not a treatment for this illness. Better alternatives include counseling, behavioral therapy, and safe prescription medications.
Talk to your doctor before you become pregnant if you use marijuana, even occasionally. They will help you get off it and find safe alternatives to reduce anxiety or alleviate normal discomforts of pregnancy. It will also help you find longer-term solutions that will be effective for you and safe for your baby.
In my opinion, using marijuana during pregnancy simply isnt worth the risk.
For more information about pregnancy, labor, and delivery, to receive Your Pregnancy Matters email alerts when we publish new stories. You can also make an appointment to see one of our specialists by calling .
Are There Any Long
Medical experts and scientists believe that the effects of smoking marijuana during pregnancy may have an impact on a child’s brain development and behavior over time.
Studies have shown that toddlers and older children born to pot-smoking moms may not score as well on cognitive, memory and behavioral tests compared with other kids, and have a somewhat higher risk of impulse control issues, hyperactivity and inattention.
There have also been studies showing a link between marijuana use in pregnancy and lower scores on reading comprehension, spelling and math tests.
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Can You Just Cut Down On Smoking Or Do You Have To Quit
You may think that light or mild cigarettes are safer choices during pregnancy. This is not true. Or you may want to cut down rather than quit smoking altogether. Its true that the less you smoke, the better for your baby. But quitting is best.
The sooner you quit smoking during pregnancy, the healthier you and your baby can be. Its best to quit smoking before getting pregnant. But quitting any time during pregnancy can have a positive effect on your babys life.
On average, smokers die 10 years earlier than nonsmokers. Quitting smoking reduces your risk of cancer and other diseases, like heart disease. When you quit smoking, you never have to go outside and look for a place to smoke. And quitting smoking can help you have:
- Cleaner teeth, fresher breath and a better sense of taste
- Fewer stains on your fingers
- Fewer skin wrinkles
- More energy to be more active
If you need help to quit smoking, tell your health care provider.
Alternative To Weed For Mental Health
Some people use weed to help with mental health issues, and there is some evidence that it can help treat issues like insomnia, anxiety, and PTSD. But again, using cannabis for these purposes during pregnancy is not something that should continue.
If you are dealing with a mental health issue during pregnancy, you should discuss this with a healthcare provider. They can suggest pregnancy-safe options for managing your mental health condition, including psychotherapy, exercise, and meditation.
If you are dealing with a mental health condition that is impacting your ability to function or feel well, you should know that there are medications, including antidepressants, that may be safe for you to take during pregnancy. Discuss your options with a healthcare team.
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Should I Tell My Doctor I’m Using Marijuana While Pregnant
It depends. It’s a good idea to seek help from a trusted provider as early as possible to protect your health and the health of your baby. ACOG encourages doctors to be understanding and offer help to pregnant women who use marijuana or other drugs. In most cases, healthcare providers will offer advice and resources to help you quit and find alternative treatments for any ailments you’re using marijuana for.
But providers in some states may be required to report you to child welfare authorities if they suspect you of prenatal drug use. So you’ll want to be familiar with your state’s policies on substance abuse during pregnancy. If you live in a state with mandatory reporting, you might want to seek help from someone who isn’t a healthcare provider.
If you reach out to your provider and feel judged or unsupported about marijuana use during pregnancy, find someone more helpful and sympathetic.
For confidential and anonymous help, the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration offers:
- Online treatment services locator
- 24-hour assistance line: 800-662-HELP
Even in states where marijuana is legal for medical and/or adult use, using pot while pregnant can get you in trouble. In Colorado, for example, where marijuana is sold legally, hospitals may notify child protective services if your baby tests positive for THC at birth.
Myth : Its Safe To Use Marijuana Once The Baby Is Born
If youre planning to breastfeed or produce your own milk for your baby, smoking marijuana while breastfeeding or pumping is not safe. The chemicals it contains can be passed to your baby through your breast milk. Plus, the intoxicating effects it has on you can make it harder to safely care for your child.
Secondhand marijuana smoke contains many of the same chemicals as secondhand tobacco smoke, making it similarly harmful for your baby. If you use edibles, theres also the chance that your baby could find and eat them.
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How Can I Quit Smoking
There is no one way to quit smoking that works for everyone, since each person has different smoking habits. Here are some tips:
- Hide your matches, lighters, and ashtrays.
- Designate your home a non-smoking area.
- Ask people who smoke not to smoke around you.
- Drink fewer caffeinated beverages. Caffeine might stimulate your urge to smoke. Also avoid alcohol, as it also might increase your urge to smoke and can be harmful to your baby.
- Change your habits connected with smoking. If you smoked while driving or when feeling stressed, try other activities to replace smoking.
- Keep mints or gum on hand for those times when you get the urge to smoke.
- Stay active to keep your mind off smoking and to relieve tension. Take a walk, exercise, or read a book.
- Do not go places where many people smoke, such as bars, clubs, and smoking sections of restaurants.
- Look for support from others. Join a support group or smoking cessation program, such as Cleveland Clinicâs Smoking Cessation Program. For more information, please call 216.444.5819, or go to http//my.clevelandclinic.org/tobacco.
- Ohio Quit Line: 1.800.QUIT.NOW or go to www.smokefree.gov.
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Smoking Weed While Pregnant
Smoking weed while pregnant is a hot topic that draws discussions. What are the effects smoking marijuana while pregnant may have on you or baby? There are lots of beliefs and misconceptions about weed and pregnancy, owing largely to the various reports from different researchers in understanding the overall implications of smoking on pregnant women and their babies.
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When Can I Resume Smoking Weed
If you smoked weed prior to pregnancy, you may be able to resume after the baby is born. But, you should talk to a healthcare provider to determine what is best given your specific situation.
For instance, 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 weed 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.
Effects Of Smoking Weed While Pregnant
Some people mistakenly believe that marijuana is harmless because it’s derived from a plant. This isn’t true. Marijuana use during pregnancy can affect you and your baby in many negative ways. Here’s how:
- Smoking weed while pregnant raises carbon monoxide levels in your blood. This can reduce the amount of oxygen that your developing baby receives, which can adversely affect your baby’s growth.
In a study of more than 5,600 women who used marijuana during their pregnancies, researchers found that compared to pregnant women who didn’t use pot, pregnant women who used weed had:
- More than double the rate of preterm birth
- Increased rates of placental abruption
In the same study, the babies of the pregnant women who used marijuana were more likely to:
- Be transferred to neonatal intensive care
- Have five-minute Apgar scores lower than 4 out of 10
Research elsewhere has linked marijuana use in pregnancy to these effects on babies:
- Increased irritability in newborns
- Possible link to stillbirth: Researchers aren’t sure yet if marijuana alone is responsible for the link or if other substances, such as cigarettes, are involved in the increased risk.
- Problems with higher-order thinking during childhood, including problem-solving, memory, planning, attention, and impulse control
- Lower academic scores once the child reaches school age
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Dont Let The Effects Of Smoking Weed While Pregnant Affect Your Unborn Child
In this article, we have discussed the harmful effects of smoking weed while pregnant in an honest and open way. We have received help from our sister drug rehabs in Fort Lauderdale. Most experts agree that using marijuana or using any other recreational drugs while pregnant is a bad idea. Not only can it cause birth defects, but can also cause premature birth and even miscarriage. Many researchers have even equated the effects smoking weed while pregnant to that of smoking tobacco.
But the bottom line is this: the majority of researchers are still unsure of how weed affects a fetus. So as most medical experts recommend, common sense would also suggest refraining from smoking weed during pregnancy.
If you or someone you know is pregnant and has an issue with substance abuse we can help. The Source is part of The Family Place with drug rehabs for pregnant women in Fort Laudedale, Florida. We are drug and alcohol addiction treatment specialists with a proven track record of fostering long-term recovery. Check out our Google reviews and become part of our family. Reach out now at . We can help you and your unborn child lead a happy and health life.
Why Don’t We Know More About Using Marijuana During Pregnancy
It’s 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 it’s hard to isolate the effects of weed.
- Pregnant women may not want to admit they’re using marijuana or how much they’re 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:
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What Are The Effects Of Smoking Marijuana While Breastfeeding
Smoking marijuana while breastfeeding is not safe for your baby. THC builds up in breast milk as much as 8 times higher than in a mother’s bloodstream. THC is then absorbed into a baby’s bloodstream and can be stored in a baby’s fat tissue for weeks to months. THC also gets into a baby’s brain and can make a baby extra sleepy and not feed very well. It can also cause delays in a baby’s development.
Marijuana has also been shown to contain other dangerous substances, including toxins from pesticides, herbicides and fertilizers. These chemicals can also transfer through the breast milk.
Does Weed Affect Pregnancy
Is it okay to smoke weed while pregnant is one of the unanswered questions resounding in the mind. Reports from studies done so far suggest that smoking weed may hinder a woman from getting pregnant and also suggests some possible effects on pregnancy. Facts indicate that about 2% to 5% of women smoke weed while pregnant. And Street drugs can cause the baby to be born dependent on them. There is no data to indicate the ratio of women who smoke weed during pregnancy with those who are affected by it.
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Risks Of Weed While Pregnant
As the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services explains, cannabis can be dangerous to your baby however you use it, including smoking it, eating it , or vaping it. Thats because cannabis contains almost 500 chemicals, and they are able to pass through the placenta and then to your growing baby. There are risks to your health, too.
