Using cannabis to relieve pain and discomfort has been on the rise, along with the social acceptance of the medicinal value of cannabis. Pregnancy brings with it a host of hopes and expectations, but it is also common to experience pain, discomfort and nausea. When common substances like alcohol, certain creams, and standard medications are advised against during pregnancy it is natural to ask: is cannabis safe and effective to use during pregnancy?
In this guide we will review some of the general properties of cannabis, the prevalence of use by pregnant people, the effects of cannabis on pregnancy, as well as legal and ethical considerations of cannabis use during pregnancy.
Cannabis, also known as marijuana, has been used for millenia for medicinal, religious, and recreational purposes. With the increasing legalization of cannabis in many parts of the world, it’s important to understand what effects cannabis has on the human body.
Cannabis contains over 100 different compounds known as cannabinoids. The two most well-known cannabinoids are THC (tetrahydrocannabinol) and CBD (cannabidiol). Each of these compounds has different effects, contributing to the potential health benefits of cannabis.
Lowering Blood Pressure and Reducing Inflammation: A study conducted by JCI Insight in 2017 found that CBD lowered the blood pressure of human participants and reduced inflammation.
While cannabis has potential health benefits, like any substance with bioactive components it’s not without risks. Here are some of the potential health risks associated with cannabis use:
Impaired Memory and Cognitive Function: Frequent cannabis use, particularly in high doses, can impair memory and cognitive function. This can affect a person’s ability to learn, concentrate, and make decisions.
Cannabis can interact with other medications or substances, which can either increase or decrease the effects of those substances. Here are a few examples:
Cannabis is the most commonly used dependent substance during pregnancy, with up to half of users continuing their use while pregnant [3]. Between 2016 and 2017 in the United States, 7% of pregnant persons reported using marijuana in the past month [4]. Cannabis use disorder (CUD) is a substance use disorder which entails that beyond the occasional use of cannabis, someone has developed a form of dependence. From 2002 to 2012 researchers found a sharp increase in the number of babies delivered whose mother had CUD, noting a rise from 2.8 to 6.9 per 1000 live births.
Age is another factor determining whether a pregnant person uses cannabis with younger mothers under 25 much more likely to use it in some form.
These increases are significant and possible reasons for them include cannabis’ perceived safety in pregnancy, the recent legalization trend, and its appeal in potentially providing relief from certain pregnancy-related symptoms.
Pregnant women report using marijuana predominantly to self-treat depression, anxiety, stress, pain, nausea, and vomiting. It is most commonly used during the first trimester and by women with severe nausea. One survey of pregnant Cannabis users at a clinic in Vancouver, Canada found that 68% of respondents said they used cannabis specifically to treat nausea and of that group, 92% said cannabis was “effective” or “extremely effective”.
A systematic review of studies of pregnant people who self-reported using cannabis also found that some people might be using cannabis to treat a condition they experienced prior to getting pregnant, such as depression, or they might use it to help in quitting substances they perceive as more harmful. The same review also found that wider social normalization and perceptions of therapeutic benefit influence the decision to use cannabis during pregnancy. This can result in a diminished sense of the health risks associated with cannabis use.
While pregnancy comes with well-known discomfort and many women are simply looking for relief when they turn to cannabis, it’s important to note that there are potential risks associated with its use during pregnancy.
Studies have found that up to 30% of the THC a mother consumes can have contact with the fetus [4].
While some pregnant women report using cannabis to self-treat symptoms such as nausea and vomiting, it's important to note that the perceived benefits are largely based on self-reporting, and more research is needed to fully understand the potential benefits and if they outweigh the risks. Currently, the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists and other health organizations advise against the use of cannabis during pregnancy due to potential risks.
Dr. Chandler is dedicated to promoting health and wellness through true lifestyle change and has served as Medical Director of Ideal Health NOW! since 2011. She is passionate about helping women of all ages feel and function at their best by helping them navigate health care with an integrative approach and even more importantly, by educating and encouraging them in self-care. Dr. Kay Chandler interviewed in 2021 on KTHV, a television station in Little Rock, Arkansas.
The study presented at a medical meeting and published in the Journal of the American Medical Association involved an extensive sample of approximately half a million women. It revealed that the use of marijuana during pregnancy is on the rise. While about 7% of pregnant women reported using marijuana, this marks a significant increase compared to the 3% reported a decade or so ago. The study also shed light on the fact that only a fraction of these women received approval from their doctors to use marijuana, indicating a lack of awareness regarding the potential risks involved.
Healthcare professionals express surprise when pregnant women admit to using CBD oil or medical marijuana because there is limited scientific evidence available regarding their safety during pregnancy. Despite the approval of medical and recreational marijuana in some states, it does not automatically guarantee its safety for pregnant women. This knowledge gap and the increasing use of these substances among pregnant women raise concerns within the medical community.
The study suggests that using marijuana during pregnancy may pose risks to the developing fetus. THC, the psychoactive compound in marijuana, can potentially interfere with the normal development of the baby's brain. Research indicates that this interference may impact the child's IQ and attention span later in life. It is important to note that just because marijuana is used medicinally or recreationally does not imply its safety for pregnant women, as the potential risks are still being investigated.
CBD oil, which shares some therapeutic benefits with marijuana, such as reducing inflammation and pain, has not been proven to be safe during pregnancy or breastfeeding. The impact of CBD oil on fetal brain development remains unclear. Furthermore, there are concerns that THC, if present in the CBD oil, can cross into breast milk and affect the nursing baby. As a result, caution is advised regarding the use of CBD oil during pregnancy or breastfeeding.
When considering the use of CBD oil during pregnancy, caution is essential. The lack of robust regulation in the CBD industry means that the product's THC content may vary, potentially exceeding what is indicated on the label. This discrepancy becomes particularly significant for individuals who are subject to drug testing, as even trace amounts of THC can have adverse consequences. Additionally, claims made by CBD oil manufacturers may not always be supported by scientific evidence.
The main message is to prioritize caution when it comes to using marijuana or CBD oil during pregnancy. Despite the approval of medical and recreational marijuana in some states, there is still a significant knowledge gap regarding their safety for pregnant women. Healthcare professionals and researchers emphasize the need to raise awareness about the potential risks involved. It is crucial for pregnant women to consult their healthcare providers for guidance on safe and evidence-based approaches to manage symptoms during pregnancy.
Despite the lack of a scientific consensus on the full extent of the risks, and potential benefits, of using cannabis while pregnant, many doctors remain cautious.
Dr. Albert Hsu is a fertility specialist at University of Missouri Health Care who has expressed his concern regarding the normalization of cannabis usage. “There is this unfortunate public perception that marijuana is safe, when truly what we have is a lack of data. And a lack of data doesn’t mean something is safe — it means there is a lack of data” Dr. Hsu said.
Other doctors have noted a silver lining of cannabis legalization for comprehensive patient care. “Legalization has helped us have a more open discussion. . . Before, patients wouldn’t even want to discuss it with me or bring it up” said Dr. Leena Nathan, an obstetrician with UCLA Health. Now she is more open to enquire about their marijuana use during pregnancy, “Just like we ask whether you drink alcohol – ‘Do you smoke marijuana or use a CBD cream?’ – It’s important to ask specifically.”
Dr. Camille Hoffman-Shuler, an OB-GYN at the Anschutz Medical Campus of the University of Colorado who has researched cannabis use during pregnancy, have expressed uncertainty in advising patients pending future research. “If I have a woman who has hyperemesis [a pregnancy complication] and she’s on four different nausea medications, I can’t say that combination is better or worse than if one single agent like marijuana works for you.”
Doctors naturally care about making the least risky recommendations for pregnant people and their babies. For now, most doctors advise against using cannabis during pregnancy and worry about increases in usage due to the broader acceptance of cannabis.
A national health organization committed to promoting reproductive and pregnancy wellness. They provide a wealth of information on all aspects of pregnancy, including substance use.
Provides evidence-based information on the effects of medications, illicit drugs, chemicals, viral infections, vaccinations, and diseases during pregnancy.
Provides medical opinions and research on the use of marijuana during pregnancy.
The Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) provides valuable information on the risks of substance use during pregnancy, including the use of cannabis.
Provides information on the potential risks of drug use during pregnancy, including cannabis.
Offers resources on substance use disorders, including information on pregnancy and substance use.
Provides resources on substance use in women, including the effects of different substances on pregnancy.
Provides a broad range of information related to pregnancy, including substance use.
Some studies suggest that cannabis use during pregnancy may be associated with adverse pregnancy outcomes. These include:
Many studies on cannabis use by pregnant people also look at tobacco and alcohol use as well, so determining the effects of cannabis in isolation from these other two substances is still under way.
Cannabis use during pregnancy can potentially affect the developing fetus in several ways:
Research suggests that prenatal exposure to cannabis may be associated with developmental issues in children. Several longitudinal studies suggest that while there might not be a correlation with lower IQ at various stages of development, the children exposed to cannabis in utero showed poorer scores for sustained attention, visual perceptual functioning, language comprehension, and distractibility [3].
Developmental issues may include:
As much as it is important to continue to assess the risks, it is equally important not to overstate them. In a systematic review of research conducted on the effects of cannabis on the cognitive performance of children whose parents smoked during pregnancy only minimal differences in cognitive performance were found [8]. Across a variety of cognitive measures, including memory, attention, and visual processing tasks, a discrepancy was found in only 4.3% of the measures. Children whose mothers consumed cannabis performed worse on 3.4% of the measures and better on 0.9% of them [8]. Additionally, their performance only fell below the normal range in 0.3% of the sample.
The use of cannabis, particularly during pregnancy, is a complex issue that intertwines legal, medical, and ethical considerations. This article aims to explore the legal implications of using cannabis during pregnancy and how healthcare providers approach this topic with their patients.
The legal landscape surrounding cannabis use is rapidly changing, with many jurisdictions decriminalizing or even legalizing its use. However, these changes do not necessarily translate into a free-for-all when it comes to cannabis use during pregnancy.
Healthcare providers play a crucial role in discussing cannabis use with pregnant patients. Their approach is typically guided by a commitment to patient safety, informed consent, and non-judgmental care.
In conclusion, the use of cannabis during pregnancy is a complex issue with legal and medical implications. As the legal landscape continues to evolve, it’s important for pregnant women and their healthcare providers to engage in open, informed discussions about cannabis use. This can help ensure that decisions are made in the best interests of both the mother and the baby.
Pregnancy is a beautiful journey, but it can also come with discomforts like nausea and pain. While some women may consider using cannabis to manage these symptoms, it’s important to understand the potential risks and explore safer alternatives. This article will discuss some alternatives to cannabis for managing common pregnancy symptoms and their effectiveness.
Nausea, often referred to as “morning sickness,” is a common symptom during pregnancy, particularly in the first trimester. Here are some alternatives to cannabis for managing nausea:
Pregnancy can also cause various types of pain, including back pain, pelvic pain, and headaches. Here are some alternatives to cannabis for managing pain:
While research on the effectiveness of cannabis for managing pregnancy symptoms is limited and mixed, many of the alternatives mentioned above have been studied extensively and found to be effective and have fewer risks than cannabis. For example, a review of studies found that ginger can be effective in reducing pregnancy-related nausea and vomiting [1]. Similarly, physical therapy and prenatal yoga have been shown to help reduce pregnancy-related pain.
However, it’s important to note that the effectiveness of these alternatives can vary from person to person. What works well for one woman might not work as well for another. Therefore, it’s important to discuss these alternatives with a healthcare provider to find the best approach for managing pregnancy symptoms.
In conclusion, while cannabis might seem like an appealing option for managing pregnancy symptoms, there are safer and potentially more effective alternatives available. By exploring these alternatives and discussing them with a healthcare provider, pregnant women can find ways to manage their symptoms and ensure the health and safety of both themselves and their babies.
The use of cannabis during pregnancy is a topic of growing interest and concern in the medical and scientific community. Despite the increasing prevalence of cannabis use among pregnant women, there are still significant gaps in our understanding of its potential effects on both the mother and the developing fetus. Here we will discuss the current gaps in our knowledge and the ongoing research aimed at filling these gaps.
Before we delve into the specifics, it’s important to understand what we mean by “gaps” in our understanding. In the context of research, a gap refers to an unanswered question or unresolved problem in a field, reflecting a lack of existing research in that area [7]. In the case of cannabis use during pregnancy, these gaps could be related to the effects of cannabis on fetal development, the long-term outcomes for children exposed to cannabis in utero, and the safety and efficacy of cannabis as a treatment for pregnancy-related symptoms.
To fill these gaps in our understanding, several research initiatives are currently underway. These include both observational studies, which observe and collect data on pregnant women who use cannabis, and experimental studies, which involve controlled experiments to determine the effects of cannabis use during pregnancy.
Consuming cannabis during pregnancy has been referred to as the “last taboo” surrounding the substance as its general acceptance increases. It has yet to be conclusively demonstrated whether this is an empty taboo to be disregarded or one with legitimate, scientific grounding. It is ultimately up to each person if they choose to use cannabis while pregnant or not. In this guide we have attempted to give you a helpful survey of the issues, as well as provide resources, but none of this is a replacement for having an earnest discussion with your medical provider. As with many decisions regarding pregnancy, the consequences of using various substances can be far ranging and affect more than just the person consuming.
