What You Need To Know About Marijuana Use And Pregnancy
Can someone who is pregnant get high on weed?
Smoking weed while pregnant or breastfeeding is a question new moms are asking. There isn’t a lot of research and this question is still pretty new. According to the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), using weed while pregnant is not safe.
And while weed helps with stress, anxiety, Post Traumatic Stress Disorder, nausea and pain — moms-to-be should take as many precautions necessary to avoid causing harm to their babies.
Nowadays because of the legalization of weed, more and more women are starting to get high on marijuana during and after their pregnancy. The use of weed in pregnant women in California from 2009 to 2017 increased from 1.9 percent to 3.38 percent, according to a study from Dr. Kelly C. Young-Wolff and colleagues.
The study also found that younger parents are more likely to get high a year before pregnancy and during pregnancy. Young moms often ask repeatedly “Will getting high while pregnant or after cause any harm to the baby?”
Can marijuana use during and after pregnancy harm the baby?
If parents use marijuana for other health benefits, they might not want to look for other alternatives to help them while pregnant. Even if this is the case, the Academy of American Pediatrics recommends parents to not get high while pregnant.
If this is the case parents should consult with their doctors to find a safer alternative.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention stated that using marijuana during pregnancy can impact the baby’s development. This was based on a study done by the The National Academies of Sciences Engineering Medicine where they stated that smoking weed is linked to lower birth weight in infants.
There are other medicines that can help mothers and are safe to use while pregnant. Mothers cannot smoke it, eat it or even vape it. None of these methods are safe.
A research done by Dr. Daniel J. Corsi and colleagues identified that the rate of preterm birth for parents who used marijuana during their pregnancy is twice as likely than those who don’t.
On the other hand, a study done by Dr. Ciara A. Torres and colleagues stated that the use of marijuana while pregnant does not lead to any cognitive impairments to the infant.
“Misinterpretations of the complex interactions of the relevant factors in itself can cause harm to pregnant women and their children by leading to punitive policies and enhancing unwarranted stigma.” the researchers specified.
There still needs more research to be done but as of now, experts say that using weed while pregnant is not safe.
How it Affects the Moms
Getting high on marijuana not only puts at risk the baby but it also can affect the parent. According to a study done by JKL Gunn in 2016, the results showed that women who used weed when pregnant were more likely to have anemia.
Those aren’t the only side effects.According to The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, a study showed that 18.1% of women who got high on weed while pregnant met criteria for marijuana abuse, dependence or both.
Using weed can also cause the parents to fall because they are too dizzy. They can also get injured because their judgement would be impaired.
However, marijuana use while pregnant has also been said to help with nausea, vomiting or “morning sickness”.There is no evidence that it does help with that but many mothers who have tried have said this.
Can You Smoke Weed While You’re Pregnant?
Experts recommend not to smoke weed while pregnant. There are no dosages that are considered safer. It is recommended to not consume at all. Smoking weed can cause lung damage. It is still smoking. This means no vaping as well. It still has THC as the active ingredient and that can still harm the baby.
Can You Vape While Pregnant?
You cannot vape marijuana while pregnant. It still contains THC which can affect the baby and the mother. According to the U.S, Department of Health and Human Services, using weed while pregnant is dangerous for both the mother and the baby and it includes all methods like vaping. The main reason for this is that marijuana has almost 500 chemicals and that can pass through the placenta and the baby. It is not safer than any other method. According to the FDA vaping has been linked to serious lung problems and deaths. The CDC warns pregnant women to not use any vaping products including those containing weed.
Can You Smoke Weed While Breastfeeding?
It is still not recommended to use marijuana even after the baby is born and especially if the parent is breastfeeding. As of now the research shows that THC and other chemicals from weed can be passed down to breast milk.
THC sticks to any fat and it can circulate throughout the parent’s blood stream. It will eventually get into the parent’s breast milk because breast milk has a lot of fat. The fat helps the baby grow. Weed can affect how much breast milk is made or the quality. Actually research has shown that breastmilk can contain THC for six days after use.
Is It Okay To Take CBD Oil While Breastfeeding?
The most commonly known compounds of the cannabis plant are THC and CBD. THC is the compound that gets someone high while CBD does not. CBD is also legal in more states in the U.S. than THC. It also provides great health benefits like relieving pain, helping with anxiety, depression and acne. According to the FDA, it advises mothers against using both CBD and THC while pregnant or breastfeeding. They want mothers to know that there are serious risks in using.
Can You Take CBD Oil While Pregnant?
Parents cannot take CBD oil while pregnant either. Experts like the FDA and CDC say to stay away from any cannabis products while pregnant. There still isn’t a lot of research on this topic because the question is still pretty new. To prevent any harm for the mother or the baby, pregnant mothers should not take any weed products for now.
What Does Cannabis Lotion Do With Pregnancy?
It is not recommended to take any cannabis lotion while pregnant. Experts are saying that mothers should stay away from any marijuana product. There still isn’t a lot of research on this topic as of now, so this information might be subject to change. As of right now, it is recommended to stay away from any CBD products while pregnant because it can be dangerous for the mother and baby
A lot of new mothers are using weed while pregnant more than ever. The younger the mother is the most likely they are to use any weed products. It is said to help with morning sickness during pregnancy. Experts such as the CDC, FDA, SAMHSA and AAP all recommend pregnant mothers to not use any marijuana products because it can harm the mother or the baby. The research on this topic is still pretty new and there still isn’t a lot of it. If you are using any products please consult with your doctor.
